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…
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…
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…
A significant majority of German and French adults are against using imported waste in recycled plastic products, according to a survey by Stagwell’s The Harris Poll, which was commissioned by Eastman, a global specialty materials company. The survey was conducted online, in February of 2024 and included over 1,000 participants from each country. Key…
Italy has announced the seventh postponement of the nation’s Plastic Tax, now set to take effect in July 2026. This tax, which imposes a fixed levy of € 0,45 per kilogram of plastic products sold or purchased, affects producers, importers, and consumers alike. The Origins of the Italian Plastic Tax The Plastic Tax was…
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…
On the 27th of September, 2023, the European Union’s Official Journal (OJEU) published Regulation (EU) 2023/2055, introducing a group of restrictions on microplastics, under Annex XVII to the REACH regulation. This regulation marks a significant step in the EU’s commitment against microplastic pollution, aligning with the European Green Deal and the Circular Economy Action Plan.…