EU Commission publishes roadmap for textiles strategy
18.01.2021 − The European Commission intends to present its strategy for a sustainable textiles sector in the third quarter of 2021 and recently published its roadmap for the project. Companies, industry associations and individual...» more
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EU adopts stricter regulation on plastic waste exports
23.12.2020 − The EU is tightening regulation on exports of plastic waste to non-OECD countries. New rules adopted by the European Commission on 22 December ban the export of plastic waste from the EU to non-OECD countries, except...» more
Eurostat: little improvement on packaging recycling in 2018
14.12.2020 − All in all, the European Union’s 27 member states recycled less packaging waste in 2018 than they did in 2017. Recently released Eurostat data show that the overall recycling rate for packaging declined from 67.5 to...» more
EU Commission plans to raise portable battery collection
10.12.2020 − The EU Commission wants set much higher targets for the collection of portable batteries. The Brussels institution is proposing that the collection target be raised from 45 to 65 per cent as early as 2025. In 2030, the...» more
Operation Retrovirus takes aim at clinical waste crime
03.12.2020 − Concerns have arisen in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak that the pandemic might trigger an increase in illegal treatment and disposal of clinical waste. To address this potential public health threat, the European...» more
China issues final ban on solid waste imports
30.11.2020 − China has now finalised its ban on waste imports, which has long been planned for 1 January 2021. In an announcement released on 25 November, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) said that all imports of solid...» more
Last-minute Chinese waste quotas let importers cut it close to the wire
17.09.2020 − The China Solid Waste and Chemicals Management Center of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) issued a twelfth batch of import licences for this year on Wednesday. The new tranche of import quotas is...» more
Turkey wants to limit recycled raw material imports
08.09.2020 − Turkey’s recycling industry will need to source at least half of the raw materials it requires from the Turkish domestic market. The country’s environment minister Murat Kurum announced new rules mandating the use of...» more
Austria plans deposit for single-use beverage containers,
quota for refillable bottles
07.09.2020 − In the fight against plastic waste, Austria's environment minister Leonore Gewessler has plans to impose a deposit on single-use beverage bottles and to mandate that the retail sector offer more drinks in refillable...» more
EU Commission tables action plan for critical raw materials
03.09.2020 − The European Commission plans to map the extent to which secondary materials from EU stocks and waste can contribute to the supply of critical raw materials. The inventory is to be completed by 2022 and list identified...» more
Interpol reports sharp increase in illegal plastic waste trade
27.08.2020 − A new report from Interpol has found an “alarming" increase in “illegal plastic pollution trade” across the world since China closed its doors to waste plastics in 2018. » more
"Plastic tax" approved at EU summit
22.07.2020 − Member states will be required to make payments to the EU budget based on the amount of non-recycled plastic packaging waste they generate. At the summit meeting this past weekend, the heads of state and government...» more
Danish ministers call for cuts to waste imports
20.05.2020 − If Denmark is to achieve a green transition, it will need to increase recycling and to strengthen the circular economy, but it will also need to reduce the amount of waste incinerated, according to climate minister Dan...» more
EU Commission publishes waste shipments guidance
01.04.2020 − The European Commission is working to remove barriers to waste shipments between EU member states in the exceptional circumstances created by the coronavirus outbreak. » more
UK to introduce tax on plastic packaging
13.03.2020 − The UK is moving ahead with plans to tax plastic packaging that does not incorporate recycled material. » more
New action plan for the circular economy
11.03.2020 − The European Commission wants to focus more closely on product design in order to promote the transition to a circular economy. » more
Battery Directive first measure to be tabled under upcoming EU action plan
06.03.2020 − The EU needs "targeted action in sectors where potential for circularity is high", according to EU Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius.» more
EP rejects attempt to raise lead limits for recycled PVC
13.02.2020 − Members of the European Parliament voted on Wednesday to block a Commission proposal that would have allowed higher levels of lead from legacy additives in recycled PVC. Under the proposed Regulation, the concentration...» more