Michael Brunn

Per capita, about 16 kilograms of textile waste are produced in the EU every year. However, only 4.4 kilograms of this are collected separately for reuse and recycling. Most of it is collected in the residual waste and then incinerated or landfilled. In addition, the textile sector is responsible for environmental pollution to a considerable extent.

The Clean Industrial Deal (CID) was published by the European Commission at the end of February. Although it is not legally binding, it includes a number of initiatives that are to be implemented in the coming years. Experts from the Wuppertal Institute have subjected the CID to an initial analysis. The aim of the CID is to combine the goal of decarbonisation with strengthening the economic competitiveness and innovative capacity of European industry in an overarching growth strategy. The CID focuses on six main topics.

The environmental network's study "Designing EPR to Foster the EU's Competitiveness and Strategic Autonomy" analyses 30 years of EPR implementation and proposes a comprehensive framework to transform EPR systems into catalysts for the circular economy transition. The report also shows how EPR fees are insufficient to significantly influence product design.

How will we meet our needs for food, housing, energy and mobility in 2050? What major disruptions—from global unrest to climate breakdown or digital collapse—could reshape them? And how can we future-proof these vital production and consumption systems against disruptions? These are the questions explored in an EEA report released today. 

The new Indianapolis Polymer Center builds on the success of the Las Vegas facility and further strengthens Republic Services' vertically integrated plastics recycling operations. The plant is designed to process pre-sorted plastics collected by Republic Services to recover PET and Polyolefins (PO). It will provide high-quality, food-grade recycled plastics for reuse in the production of new bottles, jugs, and containers.

Following challenges with DRS implementation in Scotland, the smooth introduction and effective operation of the Irish system in its first year serve as a role model for other countries in the region, such as England and Wales, where DRS is expected to be implemented in the near future.

Sopsa's first major project in Romania is with Sector 6 of Bucharest, consisting of the installation of more than 700 high-capacity underground waste containers, all locally produced. Nearly half of the units have already been installed. Sopsa operates a production unit in Eli Parks, occupying 6,400 square meters of industrial and office space, following an initial investment of around 2 million €.

If all plastic packaging in Stockholm households were sorted correctly, residents could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 40,000 tonnes per year. This corresponds to half of the fossil emissions generated by household waste. Now, an innovative project in Hammarby Sjöstad is showing how this can become a reality.

In 2022, Foxway processed 1.5 million devices, and by the end of 2024, that number had grown to almost 2.7 million. With this trajectory of year-over-year organic growth, the company anticipates processing over five million devices within the next five years in Tartu alone. To support this growth, investments in automation are key to ensuring faster processing, reducing errors, and increasing capacity to fulfil multiple device sales orders simultaneously.  

The new company building covers 9000 square metres, a fourfold increase in area, and takes up just 25 percent of the recently acquired 6-hectare plot. By planning for the future, the company is opening up further scope for expansion.