Plastics strategy
Norway’s crusade against plastic waste, one bottle at a time
A bottle deposit hub on the outskirts of Oslo has had a stream of high-level international visitors. But can its success be replicated worldwide? EURACTIV’s partner The Guardian reports.
Death-knell for microplastics?
MEPs voted on Tuesday (10 July) to amend European Commission plans to cut plastic pollution and suggested a ban on microplastics in cosmetics and other products by 2020.
Plastic pollution is solvable without global treaty, says UN environment boss
Plastic pollution and waste has moved more and more into the political and public spotlight over the past year, thanks to large-scale efforts by both the EU and UN. But doubts still remain about whether that is enough to make our economy truly circular.
Thailand: The rich world’s new dumpsite for e-waste
Thailand has become one of the largest dumpsites for electronic waste from developed countries since China’s January ban on the import of plastic waste. EURACTIV’s partner Le Journal de l’environnement reports.
Waste in the Visegrad Four: Poland leading the way
Despite progress in recent years, local circular economy efforts in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia are still plagued by inefficient management, cheap landfilling and problematic reporting. EURACTIV's network reports.
Plastic bans among ‘most effective’ ways to beat pollution, says UN
A landmark report by UN environment experts on plastic pollution, published to coincide with World Environment Day (5 June), shows that governments across the world are starting to take action and that bans and levies are starting to take off.
Circular economy vital to EU’s quest to kill emissions: study
Reusing plastic and metal could help keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius and allow the EU to go emission free by 2050, according to new research on the burgeoning circular economy.
Plastic recycling dilemma in the EU
The EU is in a desperate search for a sustainable circular economy. But critics warn that the imminent adoption of waste recycling targets for 2035 is only a compromise between the very different realities of the 28 countries. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Commission targets end to throwaway plastic culture
The European Commission presented its long-awaited marine-litter-busting proposal on single-use plastics on Monday (28 May). The first legislative proposal from the Plastics Strategy aims to help the EU clean up the continent's beaches and waterways.
New OECD report shows recycling’s Herculean task
Plastic production is still the go-to option over recycling because of lack of demand, poor collection rates and a fragile market, according to a new report by the OECD, which suggests a number of measures to boost the industry.
Packaging industry calls for policy reform to boost plastics recycling
A host of UK packaging organisations have called for more recycling collection points, tax reliefs for recycled content and a universal list of acceptable materials as part of a desired regulation reform to make it easier for consumers to recycle packaging waste. EURACTIV's media partner edie.net reports.
EU prepares to say adieu to single-use plastics
The European Commission is gearing up to reveal how it plans to tackle single-use plastics as part of the much vaunted Plastics Strategy. But an initial draft of the legislation has already received mix reviews.
Why the Commission’s new plastic ban threatens to fall flat
The European Commission wants to ban disposable plastic dishware and cutlery. But critics say this is pointless and manufacturers are unimpressed by the idea. EURACTIV Germany’s media partner WirtschaftsWoche reports.
Cotton buds and plastic straws could be banned in England next year
Cotton buds, plastic drinking straws and other single-use plastics could be banned from sale in England next year in the next phase of the campaign to try to halt the pollution of the world’s rivers and oceans. EURACTIV’s partner The Guardian reports.
Europeans will have to recycle half of their waste by 2025
European households and businesses will have to recycle at least 55% of their municipal waste by 2025, according to stricter new rules passed by the European Parliament on Wednesday (18 April).
Plastic packaging fails to reduce food waste, study warns
Plastic food packaging may be fuelling, rather than combating, Europe’s food waste problem, according to a new study that found both packaging and waste doubled in the EU between 2004 and 2014.
Safety first: Food packers shun recycled plastics, for now
Tetra Pak, the iconic Swedish maker of beverage cartons, is currently staying away from using recycled plastics in the inside lining of its packages – the most sensitive bit that comes in contact with drinks. But this could all change under EU proposals due this year.
Bottle and can deposit return scheme gets green light in England
All drinks containers in England, whether plastic, glass or metal, will be covered by a deposit return scheme, the UK government has announced. EURACTIV's partner The Guardian reports.
EU circular economy’s REACH for the stars
As the EU doubles down on its waste management efforts and sets its sights on tackling plastic waste, the idea of a circular economy and internal market for recycling is gathering momentum. But it will not be an easy task for lawmakers or industry to realise.
Single-use plastics in the Commission’s crosshairs
The European Commission is aiming to reveal its plan to curb single-use plastics in May, in what will be the first proposal to come out of its much-vaunted Plastics Strategy. But industry and civil society are still divided over what should be its fundamental goal.
The Brief, powered by PLATFORMA – What if you drink faster than you read?
Next month, the EU’s alcohol industry will come up with a much-awaited self-regulatory proposal about labelling of alcoholic beverages.
The Brief – Berlusconi’s puppet show
Silvio Berlusconi, like any half-decent B-movie villain or that spider that lives in your kitchen, refuses to stay (politically) dead. He has, inexplicably to non-Italians, clawed his way back into political relevance and his latest masterplan is just starting to become clear.
EU’s carbon market update clears final hurdle
The Council of the EU has given the final stamp of approval to an update to the European Union’s Emissions Trading System (ETS), which hopes to help the bloc cut emissions by 40% by 2030.
Benefits of EU carbon market reform for UK clouded by Brexit ‘uncertainty’
A recent vote in favour of reforming the EU's carbon market is a "strong signal" that energy-intensive businesses should accelerate decarbonisation processes, although the European Parliament's rapporteur on the reform has warned that Brexit will act as high-profile distraction. EURACTIV’s partner edie.net reports.Supporter
Plastics Recyclers Annual Meeting
Plastics Recyclers Annual Meeting is a yearly conference covering the most pressing topics of the plastics recycling industry. This year’s meeting will focus on the aspects of increased collection of plastics waste as the cornerstone for achieving the higher recycling rates in Europe. Improvements in the collection schemes are imperative, yet often overlooked.
Join the PRE Annual Meeting to learn how increased collection pushes the recycling industry forward!
October 11&12
Cascais, Portugal
Plastics Recycling Show 2018
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