India has introduced amendments to its Plastic Waste Management Rules, aiming to improve traceability and compliance in the packaging sector. The updated regulations, announced by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, require that plastic packaging include specific identification information such as barcodes, QR codes, or unique numbers. These updates are intended to increase…
The UK has launched PackUK, a scheme administrator dedicated to managing the Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging (pEPR). Officially introduced on January 21, 2025, this initiative aims to promote sustainability and shift the financial burden of packaging waste management from taxpayers and local authorities to the businesses that produce and distribute packaging materials. Implementing…
Following last year’s announcement of the UK-wide Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) launch in October 2027, the UK Government has formally introduced new regulations for a DRS, aimed at improving recycling rates for single-use drink containers in England and Northern Ireland. While the initiative marks a significant step toward tackling waste, industry leaders have raised concerns…
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…
Ocado Retail, a prominent UK online supermarket, has partnered with the UK Refill Coalition to introduce a reusable packaging scheme for online shopping. This initiative aims to reduce the use of single-use plastics, aligning with the growing demand for eco-friendly shopping solutions. The Reusable Packaging Scheme The new scheme, which was launched in August…
British Glass, the trade association representing the UK glass manufacturing industry, is voicing significant concerns following the recent announcement of base fees for the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme. While the association supports the overarching goals of the EPR, which aims to make producers accountable for the entire lifecycle of their products, they are deeply…
The Highland Community Waste Partnership (HCWP) has launched an innovative pilot scheme in collaboration with Vytal, a German sustainable packaging company. This initiative aims to promote the use of returnable packaging across Scotland, encouraging businesses to reduce single-use packaging waste. The Returnable Packaging Scheme The pilot scheme seeks to enlist 20 businesses across both…
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…
The UK Government has issued a revised timetable for its long-awaited Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), now expected to launch in October 2027. Initially proposed as part of the 2018 Resources and Waste Strategy, the scheme is seen as a crucial step in reducing waste and improving UK’s recycling rates. Delays and Adjustments Originally, the…
In an effort to reduce plastic waste pollution, Aldi UK has recently unveiled a traceability scheme, aimed at managing the 300 tonnes of post-consumer flexible plastic packaging collecting annually. This initiative marks a significant step in the company’s ongoing commitment to the environment and underlines the organization’s determination to address the escalating issue of plastic…
Ireland has recently introduced its Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), as part of its commitment to enhance the recycling efforts of the country. A survey conducted by Every Can Counts sheds light on consumer perceptions of the system and the challenges faced with this new initiative. While exploring the statistics of this survey, we hereby compare…
Hubbub has recently released a comprehensive report that details the outcomes and insights gained from six reuse system projects, funded by the Bring It Back Fund. These projects explored diverse approaches, from reuse tracking software to loyalty programs and doorstep packaging collection, and Hubbub reveals the key ingredients of their successful approaches. The Bring…