All Circular Economy articles
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ArticleReport says steel was EU’s ‘most widely recycled’ packaging material in 2023
In its latest report, Steel for Packaging Europe indicates that 82% of steel packaging placed on the market was recycled in practice in 2023 and underlines steel scrap’s potential in still-developing laws and initiatives.
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ArticleA look at the global extended producer responsibility landscape
What does the global regulatory landscape look like right now when it comes to extended producer responsibility (EPR)?
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ArticleNorfersk implements Faerch’s 70% tray-to-tray rPET into meat trays
Faerch and Norfersk have launched meat trays containing 70% food-grade, tray-to-tray recycled PET, anticipating a dedicated material loop for thermoformed food packaging.
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ArticleRefillable laundry detergent dispenser tackles waste through 'self-care ritual'
Ripl Efek’s refillable laundry detergent dispenser – comprising a stainless-steel vessel and an aluminium refill canister – is designed to tackle packaging waste, keep formulas away from plastics, and turn the refill process into an ‘intentional self-care ritual’.
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ArticleWomen in Packaging programme returns at interpack 2026
interpack 2026 will host its second Women in Packaging programme, featuring a keynote speech from Tetra Pak, multi-perspective panel discussions, and networking opportunities geared towards women at all career levels.
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ArticlePortugal kicks off national Deposit Return Scheme for drinks packaging
Today, Portugal is launching its national Deposit Return System (DRS) for ready-to-drink beverage packaging – introducing over 3,000 collection points, including baling capabilities at remote kiosk locations.
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ArticleDraft bill exempts compostables and biodegradables from PPWR’s SUP ban
The Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (MASE) has presented a draft legislative proposal to exempt biodegradable and compostable formats from the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation’s bans on single-use plastic packaging, with European Bioplastics (EUBP) describing the measure as “positive and pragmatic”.
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ArticleWhat to expect at interpack 2026
With only one month to go until interpack 2026, we take stock of what to expect from this year’s programme – and from Packaging Europe, reporting live on the ground.
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ArticleGuidance document answers important questions about the PPWR
The European Commission has published a guidance document providing further clarity around the requirements of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, including exempted packaging formats, compostable packaging guidelines, rules around empty space and minimization, and much more.
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ArticleReuse sector backs Belgium holding packaging producers responsible for waste
In response to alleged pressure from some industrial lobbyists, members of the reuse sector have addressed a ‘letter of congratulations’ to Belgian policymakers for measures to hold packaging producers formally responsible for their waste.
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ArticleWhat are the next steps for reusable packaging in retail?
In its latest report, the U.S. Plastics Pact sets out its vision for a successful reuse system in retail: a return-on-the-go model for food, home, and personal care products, starting in regions with existing reuse infrastructure.
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PodcastCEFLEX at an inflection point
As Graham Houlder passes the CEFLEX baton to a new leadership team, and prepares to take well earned extended holiday, we reflect on the journey of the European value chain consortium building a circular economy in flexibles to date, lessons learned on collaboration, and the agenda priorities for the critical years to 2030. Tim Sykes speaks with Graham and External Affairs Director, Arne Jost.
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ArticleWhat mountain roads reveal about leadership, fear, and designing the future
To celebrate the company’s tenth anniversary, Searious Business founder Willemijn Peeters urges packaging businesses to ‘accelerate with purpose’ and tackle industrial, legislative, and financial roadblocks in pursuit of circularity at scale – and encourages industry leaders to join its Worst-Ever Packaging Challenge.
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ArticleIndustry backs ‘Made in Europe’ rule for recycled plastic content targets
In a joint letter, Plastics Recyclers Europe, Reloop, Recycling Europe, and the European Waste Management Association (FEAD) call for a ‘Made in Europe’ requirement to be applied to recycled plastic content targets – a move expected to create local demand and support the EU’s recycling sector.
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Article‘World’s largest’ liquefied plastic waste facility commissioned by Neste
Neste has successfully commissioned a new upgrading facility for liquefied waste plastic at its refinery in Porvoo, Finland – expecting to reach an annual capacity of up to 150,000 tons of feedstock for the plastics and chemical industries.
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ArticlePilot creates cracker-grade feedstock from plastic-based pyrolysis oil
Clariant, Borealis, and SINTEF have completed a pilot-scale project to upgrade pyrolysis oil from plastic waste into cracker-grade feedstock, said to be suitable for virgin polyolefin production.
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ArticleReplace flexible plastics with paper, suggests Ellen MacArthur Foundation
A new report from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation recommends paper as an alternative to flexible plastic packaging, setting out criteria to avoid impacts like forest degradation and water depletion during the transition.
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ArticleAustralia’s vision of a circular economy for packaging
The Australian Government’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) is working to revise the national packaging regulation, with plans to revisit its kerbside recyclability grading framework this year.
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ArticleWhy the PPWR can be Europe’s circularity moment
One year on from the adoption of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, and with roughly six months to go until the next phase of implementation begins, ambition has turned into action. Bilyana Ignatova, VP of Public Affairs and Head of EU Policy at TOMRA, takes a closer look at the past, present and future of the PPWR.
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ArticleThe ultimate guide to the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation in 2026
One year after the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation’s entry into force, where does our industry stand? Read on for a recap of the most significant developments over the last twelve months, from official updates to industry-wide action.