All Circular Economy articles
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ArticleThe ultimate guide to the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation in 2026
In a rush? Click here to read a short summary of this report Intro In this edition of the Brief, we recap developments in and around the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation from March 2025 to February 2026. Key takeaways After the Packaging and Packaging ...
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ArticleEU-funded research project converts biogenic CO2 into bioplastics
The EU-funded UNICO2RN project is using biogenic CO2 as feedstock to produce biodegradable plastics, aiming to help European industries replace fossil-based materials and reduce their carbon emissions.
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ArticleKeurig’s K-Cup pods named as recyclable under Ontario’s Blue Box programme
Keurig Dr Pepper Canada and Circular Materials are encouraging consumers to recycle their plastic K-Cup pods at home via Ontario’s Blue Box Program.
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ArticleMaking the business case for a circular plastics industry
How far has the packaging industry come in terms of key metrics such as virgin plastic reduction, recyclability and meeting reuse targets? In this report, we examine the annual Ellen MacArthur Foundation Global Commitment Progress Report, which tracks industry-wide progress in these areas.
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ArticleHow do we fix a ‘breaking’ and ‘import-dependent’ European industry?
What is the current outlook for Europe’s manufacturing sectors – and what must be done to support them? In the aftermath of the European Industry Summit in Antwerp, we consult multiple industry players for their perspectives on promoting EU-made resources, lowering carbon and energy costs, establishing a circular economy, and more.
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ArticleDebunking common recycling myths
As Germany transposes the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation into national law, the German Environment Agency (UBA) and the Central Agency Packaging Register (ZSVR) have cleared up common misconceptions about plastic recycling rates, glass waste collection, and more.
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ArticleSaica Group recycles its own paper into repulpable adhesive tape
Saica Group has unveiled an adhesive tape made entirely from its own recycled paper, aspiring for a fully repulpable product and a circular system.
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ArticleSeparate collection, PCR targets, and EPR to unlock flexible plastic recycling
A new report from the Alliance to End Plastic Waste names separate waste collection, post-consumer recyclate targets, and extended producer responsibility among the essential factors to improve recyclability for flexible plastics.
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ArticleSykell’s reuse system for takeaway food now accepts prefilled packaging
Sykell has expanded its Einfach Mehrweg reuse system for takeaway containers to include prefilled packaging, hoping to scale up reuse operations for pre-packaged food.
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ArticleTaking stock as Global Plastics Treaty negotiations begin at INC-5.3
Negotiations for a Global Plastics Treaty continue in Geneva, but where do we currently stand – and where do negotiators hope to go? We take a bird’s eye view of the International Negotiating Committee saga so far, and hear from a number of voices commenting live from the conference centre.
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ArticleUnilever, L’Oréal and P&G join reuse project rolling out across Ottawa
Unilever, Procter & Gamble, and L’Oréal are among the participants in The Reuse City Canada Project, a city-scale reuse initiative run across Ottawa by Reposit and the Consumer Goods Forum’s Plastic Waste Coalition.
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ArticleWhy ‘non-recyclable’ is no longer an option
The global pharmaceutical and healthcare packaging sector has reached a pivotal juncture. Blister packs, bottles, tubes, pouches, and other primary and secondary packaging are critical for sterility, dose precision, and patient safety, but their end-of-life profile remains largely linear: produce–use–dispose. In this article Professor Edward Kosior, Sustainability Awards winner and Founder/CEO at Nextek Ltd, plots a path forward.
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ArticleNorway’s ‘first’ recycling facility for EPS waste opens its doors
BEWI has opened a recycling facility for expanded polystyrene in Norway, anticipating an annual recycling capacity of up to 3,500 tonnes.
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ArticleOur guide to the fibre-based packaging market in 2026
In the last year or so, we have seen increased investments in companies producing fibre-based packaging - from Yangi securing €10 million in funding to scale its dry forming technology to Fiberdom receiving €3.5 million for its compostable paperboard material. What are the main drivers behind these investments and what kind of projects are receiving this support? We explore these questions in this edition of the Brief.
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ArticlePost-consumer recycled material made from household plastic waste streams
TBM has unveiled its CirculeX material, made from post-consumer recycled plastics – a solution believed to avoid poor strength and unpleasant odour while reducing CO2 emissions by up to 61%.
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ArticleBlueAlp and partners receive €1.5 million for chemical recycling project
The Dutch Government has awarded BlueAlp, Renewi, Shell, and Utrecht University with €1.5 million in funding to support their chemical recycling solution for flexible plastics.
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ArticleSparxell raises over €4 million for cellulose-based packaging pigments
Sparxell has raised $5 million (€4,231,350) in Pre-Series A funding for its cellulose-based colourant technology, which is said to reduce water consumption by 90%.
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ArticlePolypropylene cups designated as ‘widely recyclable’ in U.S.
Polypropylene cups are now designated as “widely recyclable” in the U.S., as a result of a partnership between Starbucks, WM, The NextGen Consortium, How2Recycle, The Recycling Partnership, and more.
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ArticleSubmissions are open for the Sustainability Awards 2026!
The Sustainability Awards are open for submissions! From start-ups and universities to global brands and manufacturers, everyone is invited to nominate their packaging innovations for a crystal trophy – with zero entry fees.
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ArticleA status report on GLP-1 packaging: sizing, safety, security, and more
Weight-loss drugs keep gaining traction – is that a blessing or a curse for the packaging industry? We dive deeper into the implications of smaller portion sizes, pharmaceutical safety practices versus circular packaging initiatives, supply chain traceability, and more.