Με την εφαρμογή του συστήματος επιστροφής εγγύησης (ΣΕΕ) για συσκευασίες ποτών μιας χρήσης από πλαστικό και μέταλλο να πλησιάζει, αναλύουμε όλες τις λεπτομέρειες σχετικά με τις υποχρεώσεις καταναλωτών και προμηθευτών, καθώς και το εγγυοδοτικό αντίτιμο, αλλά και τα σημεία και τρόπους επιστροφής των συσκευασιών. Τι είναι το Σύστημα Επιστροφής Εγγύησης; Το σύστημα επιστροφής εγγύησης…
In 2024, European regulations made significant strides toward enhancing sustainability, promoting consumer protection, and addressing the environmental impacts of materials such as plastics and chemicals. These regulations, spanning various sectors from packaging waste to food contact materials, aim to establish a safer, greener future for the EU and its neighboring countries. This article highlights important…
Belgium has introduced stricter national regulations regarding packaging waste management to promote sustainability and enhance recycling efforts. These updated laws require businesses to adhere more strictly to the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework, ensuring greater accountability in the lifecycle management of packaging materials. The Evolution of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) The EPR system, originally…
The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) of the UK has recently introduced a framework to evaluate and categorize the recyclability of various packaging materials, under the Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) initiative. This system aims to help businesses understand how their packaging impacts recycling processes and associated costs. Recyclability Assessment Framework…
A recent survey by Recoup, a UK plastics charity, reveals that local councils are struggling to prepare for upcoming waste management reforms, with many still unaware of the looming requirements for kerbside plastic collections. Additionally, inconsistent recycling instructions are causing public confusion, potentially hindering progress toward sustainability goals. Fragmented Communication on Plastic Recycling Recoup’s…
Switzerland has revised its regulations on food contact materials, specifically targeting plastics and packaging inks. These changes, published in Official Collection 2024 755, have come into force from January 1, 2025. The amendments focus on enhancing consumer safety by tightening restrictions on certain chemical substances used in the production of these materials. Key Amendments…
Japan has been making significant changes to its regulatory framework for food contact materials (FCMs), set to take effect on June 1, 2025. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has finalized the structure of the Positive List (PL) system for synthetic resin materials, marking a major shift in how chemicals used in food-related utensils,…
In December 19, 2024, the European Commission (EC) introduced Regulation (EU) 2024/3190, enforcing a strict ban on bisphenol A (BPA) and other hazardous bisphenols in food-contact materials. This measure aims to enhance consumer safety by eliminating harmful chemicals from products like plastics, coatings, adhesives, and printing inks. The Ban This regulation enforces a broad…
A comprehensive study published in Environmental Science & Technology evaluates the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of plastic products versus their alternatives across 16 applications. These include key sectors such as packaging, construction, automotive, textiles, and consumer goods, which together account for 90 % of global plastic use. The findings reveal a counterintuitive reality: replacing plastics…
On 16th of December, the EU Council formally adopted the Package and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), aimed at reducing packaging waste and promoting sustainability. The rules set binding targets for re-use, restrict specific single-use packaging types, and require businesses to minimize packaging across its entire life cycle. Safe, Sustainable, and Recyclable Packaging The regulation…
Researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have achieved a breakthrough in developing eco-friendly alternatives to PET (polyethylene terephthalate) for packaging. By employing advanced metabolic engineering techniques, the team created a microbial strain capable of producing pseudoaromatic polyester monomers. These materials offer improved biodegradability and physical properties, presenting a promising solution…
The Global Plastics Treaty’s negotiations under the 5th session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) have halted. While the session marked significant progress, unresolved issues indicate that further negotiations will be needed to create a comprehensive solution to the global plastic crisis. Introduction to the UN Plastics Treaty The UN Plastics Treaty is an…