VIRTUE’s Post

Great illustration of where we should be heading - what we should be doing....

There's an irony here that was sadly overlooked. This article talks about the increase in EU packaging waste between 2020 and 2021 of 11 kg per capita: the biggest increase in 10 years. Hmmm... Wasn't this time at the heart of covid? Didn't people generate more packaging waste simply because they couldn't eat or drink outside of the home, the result of which would naturally be more packaging? Didn't the concern for spreading the disease result in greater use of smaller, single use, and more sanitary packaging? So, the legislation will kick in, the per capita numbers will fall, and regulators will pat themselves on the back for doing something that appears to have worked, but really didn't, because consumers are naturally going back to their old habits of eating out more and once again buying larger sizes for home consumption. Critical thinking requires that you examine both the content of what's changed, and the context in which it did so. #SPRING #springpackarchive #criticalthinking #sustainablepackaging

The European Union has reached a provisional deal on a new law to cut #packaging waste and ban #singleuse plastics, such as supermarket bags for fruit and mini hotel shampoo bottles in hotels, albeit with exemptions for certain sectors. Under the new rules, by 2029, member states must ensure the separate collection of at least 90% per annum of single-use #plastic bottles and metal beverage containers. To achieve that target, they are required to set up deposit return systems (#DRS) for those packaging formats. The text sets also new binding #reuse targets for 2030 and indicative targets for 2040. The co-legislators laid down an obligation for take-away businesses to offer customers the possibility of bringing their own containers to be filled with cold or hot beverages or ready-prepared food, at no additional charge. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dVeHCzvY #recycling #Europe

A reduction in packaging doesn't have to directly affect the consumer. This new packaging is expected to reduce 37,000kg!! of waste per year. Is there anything about this article that isn't win:win. I don't think so. https://lnkd.in/gQxdzBC9

📣🚨 Political agreement reached in trilogue - PPWR Update After lengthy negotiations, a provisional political agreement was reached yesterday evening between the Parliament and the Council on the PPWR! 🔑 Key points of the provisional agreement: 1. Reuse targets and refill obligations: - Sets new binding reuse targets for 2030 and indicative targets for 2040 notably for: alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, transport and sales packaging, grouped packaging.  - By 2030, the take-away sector must offer 10% of products in packaging formats suitable for reuse. - Economic operators are exempted if the Member state they operate in exceeds recycling targets by 5% by 2025 and are on track to exceed targets by 5% by 2030. 2. Restrictions on certain packaging formats: - Bans cover single-use plastic packaging for:  i) fruit and vegetables ii) food and beverages, condiments, and sauces within the HORECA sector iii) small cosmetic and toiletry products used in the accommodation sector. 3. Deposit Return Systems (DRS): - Mandatory for single-use plastic bottles and metal beverage containers, with exemptions if a separate collection rate of above 80% is reached by 2026. 4. Sustainability Requirements: - Restrictions on food contact packaging containing PFAS above certain thresholds. - Minimum recycled content in plastic packaging. - Maximum empty space ratio of 50% in certain types of packaging to reduce unnecessary packaging. ❓ Uncertainty looms: The Commission's hesitation to sign the agreement, primarily driven by concerns regarding rules on recycled plastic imports deemed as protectionist measures, leaves a question mark hanging over the decision. A resolution is expected to be reached at the political level in the coming days. 👁️ New ERA takeaway: At a first glance, the terms of the agreement that have been published are very disappointing for the reuse and refill industry. We will have to wait some days to assess its details, but the removal of ambitious targets for takeaway packaging and the existence of a general derogation to meet the reuse targets if certain recycling rates are reached, are concerning and go in the opposite direction of the PPWR’s objectives of reducing packaging waste and promoting reuse and refill. 🔜 Next step: The text will undergo formal adoption by both institutions. While the agreement provides assurances to both the Parliament and the Council, the adoption of the text is still uncertain. #PPWR #Agreement #EuRegulation #Reuse #Refill #Packaging

📰 California advances the bill to strengthen the statewide ban on plastic shopping bags! On Tuesday, the state Senate and Assembly passed identical bills seeking to close the loophole allowing shoppers to purchase thicker plastic bags that are currently authorized to be provided for a fee. According to CALPIRG (California Public Interest Research Group), Californians generated an all-time high of plastic bag waste in 2021, which was the last recorded year. Despite the state banning plastic bags originally in 2014, the implications of the alternatives currently provided have proven the need to close this gap in the law in the interest of our environmental and public health. Now, the other legislative house must approve each bill, which must then be signed by the governor. If passed, these thicker plastic film bags will be banned in the state entirely! Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gPpiRV5g

𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 #𝗣𝗣𝗪𝗥!! Important news from the European front. Yesterday the negotiators of the EU parliament and EU Council struck a deal on the final text of the Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation. Good news: it appears that reuse targets for Transport Packaging (like FIBC's) remain. Now we have to wait for the final texts (which may take a few days). Normally this should be a done deal, but still "fingers crossed" #reuse #reusablepackaging #fibc

Did you know...Latest guidance issued by Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs clarifies the definitions of single-use and reusable products and covers the issue of ‘relabelling’. According to the guidance: ⭐ A product is considered single-use if it is not designed or intended for reuse. ⭐ A product is deemed reusable if it can be used safely and easily multiple times for its original purpose, such as being refilled at home or reused by businesses for several rotations. Full story in Packaging Scotland as (FPA) Foodservice Packaging Association warns of ‘widespread disregard’ for single-use plastic legislation... https://buff.ly/3BR4Jjb

Have you heard the news already? Yesterday, the European Parliament voted in favor of the compromise text on the new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation #PPWR. Now it's only a small step towards the final Regulation, and if the pace is kept as high as it was until now, we will likely see the final regulation by the end of the year. The first rules will enter into force by 2026. Despite heavy criticism coming from various stakeholders, especially concerning the uneven treatment of different packaging materials, e.g., plastics compared to paper, many consider this regulation an important step forward. Let's have a little insight into what that means for compostable packaging: Three years after entry into force, certain packaging formats shall be compostable in industrial composting facilities, and national regulations may even require these packages to be home compostable. This includes the following packaging: "Permeable tea, coffee, or other beverage bags or soft after-use system single-serve units that contain tea, coffee, or other beverages and are intended to be used and disposed of together with the product." Get in touch with me if you want to know more!

We at Oceansix welcome the European Parliament's approval of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. This regulation is a crucial milestone towards sustainable and circular packaging solutions. Key measures such as binding reuse targets for 2030 and refill obligations underscore a significant shift towards #reducingwaste. The bans on certain single-use plastics and the introduction of sustainability requirements, including mandatory recycled content, set new standards that will drive innovation and efficiency across industries. As the regulation moves toward final endorsement, we find it encouraging to recognise that our existing initiatives already resonate with many of these new mandates. This alignment affirms our ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility and our dedication to enhancing these vital goals. #PPWR #Reuse #Innovation #ZeroWaste