Environment and sustainability – November 2024
Global and EU rules and regulations
Ahead of the fifth meeting on the legally binding the UN treaty, UC Berkeley states that there are multiple pathways for the negotiators to nearly eliminate plastic pollution by 2050. There is enough evidence to agree on action after 20 years of research, according to the University of Plymouth. A Stockholm University study shows that plastic pollution worsens the impacts of all planetary boundaries. EU: During the EP plenary meeting on 26 November 2024, the PPWR was announced as a corrigendum. As no request for the corrigendum to be put to the vote was received within 24 hours, the PPWR is deemed to have been approved. The next and final step is the validation of the text by the Council. The EP and the Council have agreed to postpone the Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) by a year and agreed on a number of other amendments. The EC has also published a Strategic Framework for International Cooperation in the context of the EUDR. The EC has published FAQ on the Ecodesign Regulation (ESPR). Eurostat reports that each EU inhabitant generated around 186.5 kg of packaging waste in 2022 (1.9% less than in 2021) and consumed around 67 lightweight plastic carrier bags, down from 77 bags in 2021. 41% of the plastic packaging waste was recycled. Eurostat also reports that 11.8% of materials used in the EU came from recycled materials in 2023, 0.3% more than in 2022.
Rules and regulations in the different countries
Australia: The government is seeking feedback on reforming the packaging regulation. Czech Republic: Draft legislation on a DRS for plastic and metal beverage containers has been sent to the EC. France: The EC has issued a reasoned opinion regarding the Triman logo due to internal market barriers and the upcoming harmonised labelling in the PPWR. The State Council (in French) has annulled the decree (in French) banning plastic packaging for fruit and vegetables because it infringes EU rules. In October 2024, draft legislation (in French) was introduced proposing a ban on small plastic beverage bottles as of 2027. NL all info is in Dutch unless stated otherwise: The state secretary of finance has stated that the Tax Administration does not have the capacity for the 2028 plastic tax. According to recent data on deposits (1020 kB) by Verpact, the 2024 collection rate forecast is 78% for plastic bottles and 82% for cans; the legal target for both is 90%. Verpact has submitted the three requested deposit studies to ILT. KIDV has published a new protocol (in English) for washable adhesives on rigid PP and PE packaging. TNO (in English) has conducted research (5.92 MB) on the information needs of stakeholders to transition to 100% circular plastics by 2050. South Africa: In a recent report (2.18 MB), UWC and Eunomia investigate the feasibility, cost and impact of a mandatory DRS for single-use beverage packaging. UK: The government has published EPR draft legislation. Valpak reports that the government will be allowing mass balance accounting for chemically recycled plastic under the Plastic Tax. Wales: The government has decided to move ahead with a Welsh DRS, instead of participating in the planned UK-wide DRS.
Research on plastics and the environment
Kyushu University researchers find that a 32% cut in plastic littering by 2035 is necessary to prevent further water pollution. RMIT researchers have developed a satellite imagery tool that can spot plastic on beaches. Duke University researchers have found that plastic pollution sounds just like food to whales hunting with soundwaves in the dark and University of Freiburg research shows that plastic harms bees. Rice University researchers have bioengineered mussel-inspired sticky microorganisms to help break down plastic waste. Northwestern-led researchers have discovered how Comamonas bacteria break down plastic.
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