Topics
waste
November 5, 2025
In 2023, the EU generated a total of 79.7 million tonnes of packaging waste; equates to 177.8 kg per person; of which 120.0 kg were recycled; California estimates 8.5 million tonnes of single-use packaging waste in landfills; most waste in EU and California made up of paper and plastic
Reading time: 2 minutes
September 25, 2024
Using data from over 50,000 municipalities, with machine learning to fill gaps, global model estimates 52 million tons of plastic were released into unmanaged waste systems in 2020; report led by Arnika investigates effects of waste incineration on the environment and human health
Reading time: 3 minutes
July 16, 2024
On average, 80.2% of glass packaging collected for recycling in 2022 in the EU; Steel recycling rate reaches 80.5%; 70% recycling rate for paper and board in the UK in 2023; 40% recycling rate for plastics in the EU in 2021
Reading time: 2 minutes
April 19, 2024
Letter in Science by 13 members of the Scientists’ Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty calls for UN Plastic Treaty negotiators to integrate circular economy goal with waste hierarchy principles to encourage sustainable long-term solutions to end plastic pollution
Reading time: 1 minute
August 3, 2023
Canada proposes large grocery retailers implement measures to reduce food contact plastics; includes removing plastics from certain products, reuse/refill, and recycling targets; Germany’s Federal Ministry for the Environment drafted a similar law; Canadian government seeking feedback from stakeholders until August 30, 2023
Reading time: 3 minutes
June 29, 2023
Report by City to Sea presents requirements for implementing reuse systems in UK; says majority of consumers are receptive to using reusable packaging; Chartered Institution of Waste Management urges UK to take the lead in establishing reuse systems for a circular economy
Reading time: 2 minutes
June 21, 2023
European Environment Agency (EEA) reports on recycling targets; 10 Member States at risk of missing 65% packaging waste recycling rate by 2025; 19 members struggle to meet 50% plastic packaging recycling quota; upcoming packaging and packaging waste revision to include reuse and refill targets
Reading time: 1 minute
June 14, 2023
Civil society organizations and reuse businesses concerned about lobbying for packaging and packaging waste regulation (PPWR); urge for well-designed reuse systems in PPWR; emphasize the scientific evidence in accompanying fact sheet; Euroconsumers presents checklist with five criteria to consider for a robust PPWR
Reading time: 3 minutes
May 19, 2023
Investors with over $10 trillion in assets call for urgent action to reduce single-use plastic packaging in the fast-moving consumer goods and grocery retail sectors; cite environmental, climate, and public health threats posed by the entire plastics lifecycle; express concern over the financial risks to companies and investors
Reading time: 3 minutes
May 9, 2023
Negotiation of the EU packaging and packaging waste regulation (PPWR) is underway; negotiator removing reusable packaging targets for takeaway food and drink sales; concerns over measuring reuse versus refill; others highlight benefits of reusables beyond greenhouse gas emissions; negotiators can propose amendments until May 10, 2023; committee votes in September, Plenary in October
Reading time: 3 minutes
