Newly published research indicates that the climate benefits of plastic recycling in Europe depend primarily on recycling quality rather than recycling volume.
Science
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Abandoned and discarded fishing nets are a persistent source of plastic pollution in seas and oceans. The REDES4VALUE project addresses this issue by developing processes to recover and recycle end-of-life fishing nets and convert them into secondary raw materials for industrial applications.
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The EU-funded REFRESH project has demonstrated that recycled glass fibres recovered from decommissioned wind turbine blades can be processed into a nonwoven mat and used in the manufacture of a new blade section. The project partners produced the mat from glass fibres obtained through thermal recycling and used it in a non-structural blade component manufactured via vacuum infusion.
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Investing in climate adaptation can strengthen Europe’s economic resilience and competitiveness by reducing losses from increasingly frequent extreme weather events. Climate-proofing agriculture, energy and transport could prevent substantial economic damage while supporting long-term productivity, according to a recent briefing by the European Environment Agency.
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A new research project is developing processes to manufacture bioplastics from agricultural residues and pruning waste generated in the Valencian Community.
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Growing concern about plastic waste management and the need to reduce dependence on fossil fuels has driven the development of bioplastics, whose global production capacity will reach 5.7 million tonnes in 2029, according to the European Bioplastics association.
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Despite progress in key areas, the EU remains likely off track for most 2030 environmental goals, according to the European Environment Agency’s (EEA) new 8th EAP assessment. Rising climate risks, slow transitions in production and consumption system and weakening enabling conditions highlight the urgent need for stronger, better financed and faster policy implementation.
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A major European research initiative coordinated by Fraunhofer Umsicht has been launched to develop integrated solutions for textile waste recycling.
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The recycling of complex and composite plastic materials is one of the main challenges of today’s circular economy. Their presence is increasingly common in strategic sectors such as automotive, renewable energy, and aerospace, where they offer lightness, strength, and versatility.
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The European Union remains largely on track to achieve its 2030 targets to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions, according to the latest annual check-up on EU progress to its energy and climate targets published by the European Environment Agency today. Total net greenhouse gas emissions in the EU fell by a further 2.5% in 2024, according to estimated figures included in the ‘Trends and projections’ report.
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PackagingScience
Transform non-recyclable plastics into circular and non-persistent packaging solutions
The UPCYCLE project, funded by Horizon Europe under the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HADEA), officially kicked off with a two-day meeting in Gent, Belgium.
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