Michael Brunn
Chefredakteur
Certain pre-requisites needed to ensure the PPWR delivers
Following the first compromise proposals on the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) by the European co-legislators, EuRIC is making an urgent plea to EU decision makers to ensuring that the PPWR delivers on closing the loop.
EU single-use beverage container industry unlikely to achieve climate targets
A new study into the decarbonisation of single-use drinks packaging has found that the European beverage container industry is unlikely to meet 1.5C climate targets and is at risk of missing Net Zero without swift intervention.
Norway's largest metal recycler trusts in Steinert sorting systems
The Norwegian company Metallco AS collects and sorts all types of scrap metal and turns the collected raw materials into new aluminium in its in-house smelting plant.
Vietnam's bottle-to-bottle recycling pioneer
Plastic Recycling Co. Ltd. is the first plastics recycler in Vietnam to produce recycled PET for beverage bottle production.
Neste invests in its Porvoo refinery
Neste has made the final investment decision to commence construction of upgrading facilities for liquefied plastic waste at its Porvoo refinery in Finland.
In the wrong direction
In mid-January, Circle Economy presented the "Circularity Gap Report 2023". The bad news: The circularity rate has fallen to 7.2 percent. The good news: According to the authors of the study, there are numerous starting points that can still lead to significant improvements.
Not as good as expected
What is the state of waste management in the EU? A report by the European Federation of Public Service Unions provides an overview and also takes a look at jobs.
The engine of the energy transition
Further efforts must be made to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, according to the authors of the report "Circular Savings - Business perspectives on energy savings through circular practices" by the University of Cambridge and CLG Europe. Without a change of system, the goal could not be achieved. It can be assumed that 55 percent of emissions will be saved through energy policy measures. The remaining 45 percent could be saved through recycling measures. The latter also have the advantage of reducing material consumption, which in turn reduces energy requirements.
Not yet on the road to success
In fact, waste prevention is at the top of the EU's waste hierarchy. There are good reasons for this, as it could avoid a significant part of the environmental impact. The reality is different. Therefore, the European Environment Agency (EEA) has tried to develop a concept for better monitoring of waste prevention.
Stepping up efforts
By 2030, the EU wants to double the use of secondary materials in products compared to 2020. At present, however, this rate tends to stagnate. The European Environment Agency (EEA) shows measures on how the goal may still be achieved.