About: recycling
France orders fast food chains to quickly sort their waste
Fifteen fast food chains are being ordered by France's Ecological Transition ministry to sort their waste in at least 70% of their restaurants by the end of 2019. This has been a legal obligation since 1 July 2016. EURACTIV's partner le Journal de l'Environnement reports.
German associations call for binding reusable packaging quotas
Since the start of this year, a new packaging law that aims to reduce disposable plastics has been in force in Germany. But so far, the share of disposable plastics has actually seen an increase in the beverages sector and German associations criticise the lack of binding regulations. EURACTIV Germany reports.
EU gears up for sustainability legacy handover
The outgoing European Commission has got through a lot of work when it comes to the circular economy but now attention is turning to the future and how to make sure recycling efforts really take off.
Chemical recycling of plastic: Waste no more?
Plastics recycling is as much of a challenge as an opportunity for the circular economy. Michael Laermann looks at chemical recycling and whether it can make the plastics value chain more circular whilst providing a profitable new industry branch.
Japanese village hits 81% recycling rate, aims for 100% by 2020
A Japanese village aims to be the first zero waste municipality in the world by 2020 and has already reached an 81% recycling rate. A member of the Japanese Zero Waste Academy told EURACTIV that the feat is replicable elsewhere.
Tough new EU recycling rules could be game-changer for packaging
In the coming years, EU citizens are set to see a change in the way they recycle waste at their homes and businesses – and in the way that recycling is measured.
New Caledonia bans disposable plastics
On 27 December, the Congress of New Caledonia voted to do away with most single-use plastic objects by 2020. EURACTIV France’s media partner the Journal de l’environnement reports.
Brussels plans new EU packaging rules to cut waste
The European Commission has started gathering views from EU member states, the packaging industry and online retailers ahead of a comprehensive review of EU rules on packaging waste, part of efforts to boost reuse and recycling rates by 2030.
What’s the point of recycling?
It is easy to rank EU member states by how proficient they are at recycling but the details behind the statistics are more complex. Scratch beneath the surface and there is a quasi-philosophical issue lying in wait.
Europe’s packaging headache
European Union members will have to recycle at least 70% of packaging by 2030, under new rules brokered earlier this year. But there are complex mechanisms behind the recycling curtain and not all countries are ready yet to keep up with the pace.
Raw power
Vanadium, borate, bismuth, gallium – they may sound like planets from a science fiction movie, but in fact they are some of the most critical elements of the European Union’s economy.
Half of Europe not on track with waste recycling
Fourteen EU member states have to step up efforts to reach the target of recycling 50% of municipal waste in 2020 - an objective set by the framework directive in 2008. EURACTIV France’s media partner, the Journal de l’environnement, reports.
Plastic-to-fuel, only fuelling fantasy
In light of the challenges that countries are facing due to China’s new standards on plastic recyclables imports, some controversial disposal methods have been getting increased attention, despite the myriad of concerns surrounding them, write Claire Arkin and Janek Vahk.
Poland makes headway on new EU recycling targets
The European Union must become a global leader in promoting circular economy but needs to make the best of the ambitious new EU legislation, said participants at a stakeholders’ debate on recycling, pointing to the positive example of Poland.
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.
France to implement a new environmental tax?
The Amorce association, an association of local authorities and businesses in the fields of waste, energy and heating networks, revealed the tax measures which will be included in the French national roadmap on circular economy (FREC).
Why the EU’s renewable energy proposal subverts the circular economy
To date, the Renewable Energy Directive has been a key obstacle to achieving waste policy objectives. If the EU is serious about the transition towards a circular economy, it is crucial that incentive schemes for renewables encourage separate collection and recycling, writes Janek Vahk.
Chinese waste ban ‘wake-up call’ for European recycling
The EU has a trash problem. It used to ship 60% of plastics and 13% of paper collected for recycling to China, but Beijing has decided to curb its appetite for foreign waste.
Europe must look beyond the Circular Economy Package
The EU’s Circular Economy Package is delivering some important progress on supporting business resource efficiency. But the circular economy will need to remain top of the agenda for many years to come if the EU is to see a step change in resource productivity, argues Nick Molho.
Lithuania plans to burn more waste – but does it have enough?
Lithuania plans to build more waste incineration plants, which the government says could lead to reducing energy bills – but politicians and NGOs worry that it would jeopardise recycling targets as not enough waste is being produced.
China is no longer the EU’s plastic dumping ground: What’s next?
What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object? With EU production of plastic waste showing no sign of slowing down and China – the world’s biggest importer of plastic waste – set to ban imports, we’re about to find out, argues Meadhbh Bolger.