Topics
recycling
March 11, 2021
Upstream publishes overview article discussing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging, sees recent improvements; views EPR as foundation of circular economy and calls for EPR policies to also focus on developing new reuse/refill systems, include targets for litter prevention and mitigation; advocates for binding reuse targets similar to EU's recycling targets to create conditions for businesses to safely invest in upscaling reuse
Reading time: 2 minutes
March 11, 2021
Consultancy McKinsey & Company presents results from survey on consumers’ attitudes towards packaging and concerns around sustainability in ten emerging markets; finds greatest consumer concern in China, India and Indonesia; suggests as first action to decrease packaging complexity, reduce unnecessary packaging, exchange multi- with mono-layer materials
Reading time: 2 minutes
March 4, 2021
EU Court of Justice’s General Advocate recommends ban on bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in recycled polyvinyl chloride (PVC); previous decision considered inadequate as it disregards endocrine disrupting properties of DEHP; NGO criticizes REACH lacking necessary tools to manage recycled materials
Reading time: 2 minutes
February 24, 2021
Report published by civil society organization ChemSec finds eliminating chemicals of concern from plastic waste crucial for upscaling plastic recycling, realizing circular economy; companies struggling to comply with chemical requirements; report recommends phasing out chemicals of concern from new products, may open up substantial market opportunities
Reading time: 1 minute
February 19, 2021
Bills proposed in state legislatures include varied recycled content and recovery requirements for different packaging types, follow California’s adopted requirement for 50% recycled content in plastic bottles by 2030
Topics: recycling, regulation
Reading time: 1 minute
February 18, 2021
Researchers at University of Plymouth find rare earth elements in 24 of 31 tested products including children’s toys, food contact materials (FCMs); highest abundance in plastic recycled from electronic waste; authors suggest plastic recycling process as source for contamination; suggest elements as indicators for presence of other additives such as brominated flame retardants
Reading time: 2 minutes
February 12, 2021
Break Free From Plastic (BFFP) recommends 13 key investments for US federal action; includes funding for multi re-use facility infrastructure, Environmental Protection Agency , research, government, and educational institutions; discourages further investments in chemical recycling, waste-to-energy/fuel technologies, carbon sequestration, downcycling, production, distribution and export of plastics
Reading time: 2 minutes
February 11, 2021
European Parliament approves report calling for European Commission to adopt binding targets and expanded EcoDesign Directive within Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP), aims to reduce overall consumption and material use; proposes solutions to problems of higher prices for recycled materials and low availably of high-quality recycled materials
Reading time: 2 minutes
February 9, 2021
Recycling Leadership Council releases recycling blueprint, identifies role of US federal government in modernizing and standardizing recycling system; suggests three areas for political action: clearer data collection and reporting, nationwide standards and definitions, targeted investments in the recycling sector
Reading time: 2 minutes
February 4, 2021
PAC Packaging Consortium free online tool scores product packaging based on factors including material type, weight, reuse/recyclability, renewable/recycled content; provides single score with recommendations for improvement
Reading time: 1 minute
