Regulation (EU) 1781/2024 was published in the Official Journal of the European Union during last June. Known as the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), it sets forth comprehensive ecodesign requirements aiming at enhancing the sustainability of products available in the EU market. Framework for Sustainable Product Design Regulation (EU) 1781/2024 introduces a robust…
Plastic Free July, an annual event dedicated to reducing plastic consumption by specifically targeting single-use plastics, is completing its 15th year of running. This key initiative of the Plastic Free Foundation takes place every July, encouraging individuals, communities, and businesses to rethink their reliance on plastic and adopt more sustainable practices. The Origins of…
In a bold move aimed at tackling Europe’s greenhouse gas emissions, Zero Waste Europe (ZWE) has called upon the European Commission (EC) to integrate waste incineration into the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). The advocacy group argues that such a step would effectively penalize the incineration of fossil-based materials like plastics and synthetic textiles,…
Mislabelled or unclear food labels and packaging, pose a significant threat to consumers with food allergies, as highlighted by recent research from GS1 UK. The study found that 56 % of people that have experienced allergic reactions, was due to incorrect or confusing labels. To address this issue, GS1 is promoting the use of next-generation…
In a groundbreaking collaboration, industry giants BASF, UBE, Envalior, DOMO Chemicals, and Grupa Azoty ATT Polymers have established the non-profit Advanced Packaging Association (APA). Launched in 2023, the APA aims to advance the use of polyamide-based packaging, showcasing its high-performance capabilities and promoting fact-based sustainability assessments for flexible materials. Highlighting Polyamide’s Sustainable Benefits The…
International organizations are urging the European Commission (EC) to extend the current ban on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) beyond food packaging, and include medical applications. This initiative, led by the environmental law organization Client Earth, aims to address the health risks associated with PVC in a wider range of packaging applications. ECHA Report Highlights PVC…
Τις τελευταίες ημέρες κυκλοφόρησαν διάφορες ψευδείς ειδήσεις σχετικά με την έναρξη του Συστήματος Επιστροφής Εγγυοδοσίας (Deposit Return System – DRS) στην Ελλάδα από την 1η Ιουλίου 2024, καθώς και για σχετικές ανατιμήσεις σε προϊόντα. Το Υπουργείο Περιβάλλοντος και Ενέργειας διέψευσε τις εν λόγω φήμες σχετικά με το DRS σε επίσημη ανακοίνωση. Οι ανατιμήσεις, παρόλα αυτά,…
In 2023, the production value of food processing and packaging machinery hit a record-high of € 16.5 billion, marking a 5 % increase from the previous year. This notable achievement was highlighted in a press release by the VDMA (Food Processing and Packaging Machinery Association), establishing the sector as the fifth-largest in the mechanical engineering…
The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris are set to make history, not just in athletic performance but in environmental sustainability. Organizers are taking significant steps to reduce the event’s environmental footprint, including the innovative use of recycled materials, making this year’s games to be the greenest ones yet. Recycled Plastic Seats The standout feature…
A recent study conducted by CleanHub, an ocean plastics campaign group, has shed light on the alarming trend of plastic waste exportation revealing that Germany, Japan, and the UK are the leading contributors to this global issue. Alarming Statistics CleanHub’s report reveals the concerning scale of plastic waste exportation, with an estimated 5 million…
Με αφορμή τις αρκετές περιπτώσεις τοποθέτησης επαναχρησιμοποιούμενων προϊόντων στην ελληνική αγορά, την Τρίτη 11 Ιουνίου το Υπουργείο Περιβάλλοντος και Ενέργειας εξέδωσε νέα εγκύκλιο με ορισμένες διευκρινίσεις σχετικά με τον χαρακτηρισμό προϊόντων, όπως τα καλαμάκια, ως επαναχρησιμοποιούμενων…
A groundbreaking technique for recycling polystyrene (PS) was developed by a team of chemical engineers from the University of Bath in the UK and Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts, USA. Their method could make recycling PS both economically viable and energy efficient, revolutionizing the way this polymer is handled. Research Details In a recent…