Category: Politics & Policies
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Vietnam battle against plastic
Why Vietnam faces an uphill battle in its war against plastic waste
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EUBP reaction to PPWR vote
European Parliament sends mixed signals to the bioplastics sector
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EU criminalises environmental damage ‘comparable to ecocide’ (The Guardian)
Directive punishes most serious cases of environmental damage, including habitat loss and illegal logging
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Corruption in Plastic Treaty Negotiations
International Group of Scientists Call Out Corruption in Global Plastic Treaty Negotiations — Well, even UN employees think there’s corruption going on and that it’s turning into a Vaudeville show
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TIPA CEO gives her geopolitical opinion on the Gaza crisis
Should CEOs talk and take positions on geopolitics? I think you can do it as a CEO if the geopolitical situation interferes with your business; if not then the person should speak in his/her name and not as a CEO. It gets more complicated when you’re the founder of the company. Without talking about the…
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Oakland to ban compostable plastic packaging
Oakland intends to ban compostable plastic packaging because they contaminate the compost with microplastics and because commercial composters do not want them.
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California governor vetoes bill that would require microplastic filters on washing machines
Advocates blame industry pressure for Newsom’s decision; bill would have prevented millions of pounds of synthetic fiber pollution.
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US Bipartisan Legislation to Support Biorefineries, Renewable Chemicals, and Biomanufacturing
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) introduced bipartisan legislation to enhance the ability of the Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Products Assistance program to support the development of biofuels, renewable chemicals, and biobased products.
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PBPC Reacts to Ag BIO Act
Plant Based Products Council Reacts to Introduction of the Ag BIO Act
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ENVI makes sweeping changes to PPWR proposals
The European Parliament’s Committee on Environment (ENVI) has voted on initial amendments to the draft Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), potentially ushering in sweeping changes.
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Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) Summary (Free)
A summary of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) for dummies. This is a FREE article
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Paper Packaging Industry Statement on EU PPWR
Statement from EPPA on the results of the ENVI Committee vote on PPWR
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Plastics Europe raises significant concerns about Environment Committee vote on PPWR
Today the European Parliament Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) voted on the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).
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Soft Drinks Industry on PPWR
Without a packaging legislation that is supportive of reuse, refill and recycling as complementary solutions, industry faces major difficulties in meeting its circularity obligations, and the future of currently-effective recycling systems could be seriously compromised.
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China issues standards for excessive packaging
National Standard for Requirements of Restricting Excessive Packaging for Fresh Edible Agricultural Products Released
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Supply chain letter on the need for mass balance fuel-use exempt for chemical recycling
The undersigned, representing 20 associations in the plastics supply chain, call on EU Member States to urgently adopt mass balance fuel-use exempt as the EU harmonised mass balance method for allocating recycled content via chemical recycling.
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EU Commission proposes measures to reduce microplastic pollution from plastic pellets
Today, the Commission is proposing for the first time measures to prevent microplastic pollution from the unintentional release of plastic pellets.
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Gov. Newsom signs law to expand California’s bottle bill program
Supporters say the new payment structure will better reflect short-term commodity market fluctuations. The law also expands coverage to millions of 100% fruit and vegetable juice containers.
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New EU regulations to trigger significant changes in the packaging industry (Rabobank)
According to a recent Rabobank report, the impacts of a proposed EU regulation that aims to reduce packaging waste and promote sustainability will require producers to revise their product portfolios and sourcing processes to comply. Investment in infrastructure for waste collection and recycling will be necessary to meet the targets set by the regulation.
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Packaging industry decries confusing EU recycling rules (Financial Times)
Europe’s packaging industry has warned that slow progress on waste rules could make it even more confusing for consumers to know what to do with their used containers
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How the ASEAN region’s plastic pollution is being defeated (WEF)
Chemical companies involved in the plastic business and who support the WEF have been wrongly advised to do so.
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Joint Statement of Forestry Ministers: Austria, Finland, Slovenia, Sweden
Joint Statement of Forestry Ministers: Comprehensive sustainability of forest management requires that local conditions are taken into account
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Finland legislation on corporate sustainability reporting
The government’s proposal to the parliament to amend the Accounting Act and the Auditing Act, as well as some related laws
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Ecoveritas laments “political sleight-of-hand” following government environmental U-turns
Ecoveritas has urged caution in response to the latest raft of policy changes announced in a speech by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday.
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US city council votes unanimously against chemical and advanced recycling plant
To use an expression translated from French … It seems as if the chemical recycling ‘mayonnaise’ is not taking
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U.S. Department of State Launches the End Plastic Pollution International Collaborative (EPPIC)
On the margins of the 78th UN General Assembly, Jose W. Fernandez, Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, launched the End Plastic Pollution International Collaborative (EPPIC) with $15 million in initial U.S. funding.
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African Indian Ocean nations commit to plastics circularity
Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Réunion, and Seychelles have adopted a declaration to advance the circular plastic economy
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New Delhi bans plastic for publicity material on its premises
“To ensure the strict implementation of this initiative, the NDMC is considering the formation of a monitoring team tasked with overseeing compliance,” NDMC vice-chairperson Satish Upadhyay said.
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EP Committee excludes biogas from Net Zero Industry Act
On 20 September, the European Parliament’s Committee on Environment (ENVI) adopted its Opinion on the Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA), a milestone legislation to foster EU-based manufacturing of clean technologies tabled last March by the European Commission.
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EU to ban ‘climate neutral’ claims by 2026 (Financial Times)
Brussels to crack down on greenwashing of consumer products
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US Bill Reintroduced to tackle plastic pollution
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today that he and Senate colleagues have reintroduced legislation that would create a new incentive to recycle plastic and help reduce the plastic waste disrupting coastal economies, overwhelming ecosystems, and threatening public health.
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United Nations Seems to Boost Plastics Industry Interests, Critics Say
Ahead of a groundbreaking treaty to reduce plastic pollution, a group of independent scientists fear that the United Nations is legitimizing industry-backed proposals such as chemical recycling.
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New US Bill to tax virgin plastic
REDUCE Act would levy a fee on production of virgin plastics to incentivize reuse and recycling
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Bioplastics makers call for state measures in Thailand
The Thai Bioplastics Industry Association (TBIA) wants the new government to launch measures that can increase demand for bioplastics in Thailand, said TBIA president Viboon Pungprasert.
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NGOs file petition against EPA Renewable Fuel Standard Rule
The EPA Rule ignores evidence that biofuel production has significant climate, environmental, consumer, and justice impacts in violation of federal law
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G20 stops short of fossil fuel phase out as ‘dark cloud’ looms
G20 countries set a goal of tripling renewable energy but fall short of ambition needed to limit global warming to 1.5°C.
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Sweden’s right-wing government says it will turn its back on plastic bag tax
The country’s climate and environment minister says he’s convinced Swedes “use plastic bags wisely in their daily lives” amid warnings over a potential increase in plastic waste in nature.
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Ireland Launches Bioeconomy Funding Initiative (FREE)
Ministers McConalogue, Heydon and Hackett announces new €10 million bioeconomy funding initiative. This is a FREE article
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Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen American Biomanufacturing
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), and Pete Ricketts (R-NE) introduced the Biomanufacturing and Jobs Act to strengthen the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) BioPreferred program.
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Boycott PLA to Support Thailand Democracy (FREE)
Thailand plays a central role in the production of PLA and is currently in the middle of a political crisis. Today, you can help the people of Thailand by (temporarily) boycotting PLA. This is a FREE article
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Final version of the first 12 European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS)
The Directive on corporate sustainability reporting (CSRD) empowers the Commission to adopt delegated and implementing acts to specify how competent authorities and market participants shall comply with the obligations laid down in the directive.
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Draft Report on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on packaging and packaging waste
Draft Report on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on packaging and packaging waste, amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 and Directive (EU) 2019/904, and repealing Directive 94/62/EC
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Mr. Green Deal Frans Timmermans Resigns from the EU Commission
Protecting the environment is a necessary and noble cause but under the unelected Timmermans, the EU was turning into a totalitarian regime. Before telling EU citizens what to do, some politicians should look at themselves in the mirror. He will not be missed in Brussels.
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British Columbia Takes Action on Plastic Waste
On July 14, 2023, the Province of British Columbia published the Single-Use and Plastic Waste Prevention Regulation which will come into effect on December 20, 2023.
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Will the voluntary carbon market survive mistrust and regulation?
As more companies eye carbon credits to meet net-zero pledges, scrutiny is growing over the future of the voluntary offsets market.
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British Columbia to Regulate Bioplastic Bags
The regulation will provide the framework for the phase out of certain single-use plastic items now covered and will align with federal regulation.
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France and China Joint Statement on Climate Change
At the invitation of Mr Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, Mr Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, made a state visit to the People’s Republic of China from 5 to 7 April 2023.
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Landmark California Plastic Law’s Anniversary Brings Progress
Law hits first deadline with appointment of advisory board. Requires packaging to be recyclable or compostable by 2032
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EU Deforestation Free Supply Chain: Palm oil, cattle, soy, coffee, cocoa, timber, rubber
Companies exporting or placing any of these products on the EU market will need to conduct strict due diligence to show they do not contribute to deforestation or forest degradation –Let’s make some industry-owned phony labels and certifications and let’s launch them at Net Zero bourgeois garden parties. The gorillas are starving? … Well, why…
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EU Commission PEF Sustainability Tool is a bit Disconnected from Reality
The EU Commission recognises sometimes that their policy ideas don’t make sense.
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New EU packaging regulations could increase plastic says DS Smith
Just as the world takes a major step in turning the tide on plastic pollution with a global treaty, the European Union is on the cusp of agreeing new regulations that could flood the market with millions of tonnes of new plastic.
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Crisis in the Plastic Sector (FREE)
I’ve spoken to a few CEO’s and senior executives from the plastic industry and the feedback is that they’re going through a difficult time. They didn’t use the word “crisis” but I will. This is a FREE article.
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New rules for plastic to-go packaging in the Netherlands from July
As was announced last spring, the Netherlands is implementing new rules for single-use plastic packaging – specifically those used for takeaway foods and drinks – from July 1. Here’s what you need to know about the new laws.
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EU Commission admits it has no clue how palm oil supply chain works
The European Commission has become the world champion in making laws on topics it has no clue on how “reality” or the “system” works. The “Berlaymont” has become a synonym for “Ivory tower” policies …. Good governance would assume the opposite. The EU public consultation process also proves to be a democratic farce. By coincidence,…
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Lawyer Explains Los Angeles Single Use Plastic Regulation
Los Angeles County’s Single-Use Plastic Regulation for Restaurants and Delivery Services
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Thai Government Approves Use of Ethanol to Make Bioplastics
Thai Government Approves Use of Ethanol to Make Bioplastics
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Plastics Europe welcomes UNEP’s step closer to a draft agreement on a global plastics treaty
As the second Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-2) on a global agreement on plastic pollution concludes in Paris, the following statement can be attributed to Virginia Janssens, Managing Director of Plastics Europe:
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Kenya’s Extended Producer Responsibility Regulations circus (FREE)
As we mark 2023 International World Environment Day, Kenya continues to engage in a circus game in the development of critical environmental laws meant to combat plastic pollution. These laws include the important Extended Producer Responsibility Regulations which are meant to ensure consumer brands get more responsibility in the management of plastic pollution. This is…
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Kenya on its way to become a Plastic banana republic
The plastic industry together with big oil and big brands continues to push for more plastic production and exportation into Africa.
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10 US States that Banned Plastic Bags
In this article, we are going to discuss the 10 states that banned plastic bags.
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Nations split on how to cut plastic pollution after week of UN talks
US, Russia and China want a voluntary system in which countries establish their own rules
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US Makes U-turn on Chemical Recycling
Affirming long-standing incineration regulations, the Biden administration has withdrawn a plan to help ease the way for unchecked pyrolysis and gasification of plastic.
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EPR a key provision for inclusion in UN’s Global Plastics Treaty – Ecoveritas
Leading environmental compliance specialist, Ecoveritas has called on the world leaders set to gather in Paris this week for the UN’s second International Negotiating Committee (INC-2) to count Extended Producer Responsibility among the key provisions for inclusion to ensure circularity.
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Eurocities Position Paper on Packaging Waste Regulation
The European Commission is proposing some major changes to the way we handle packaging waste. The new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, a revision of an earlier directive, will set targets for reducing and recycling packaging, and requiring certain levels of recyclability and recycled materials in new packaging.
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Green Guides Update – Comments Closed, but the FTC Wanted to Hear More About Waste
the Green Guides help advertisers avoid making environmental benefit claims that may mislead consumers.
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Egypt’s National Food Safety Authority Issued Technical Requirements for Food Contact Materials and Articles
On October 18, 2022, Egypt’s National Food Safety Authority (NFSA) published Decision No. 17/2022, the Binding Technical Rules for Food Contact Materials and Articles, in the Egyptian Chronicles, with an effective date of October 19, 2022. Unofficial translation attached.
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New UN ‘roadmap’ shows how to drastically slash plastic pollution
Plastic pollution could be slashed by 80 per cent by 2040 if countries and companies use existing technologies to make significant policy shifts and market adjustments, according to a new UN Environment Programme (UNEP) report released on Tuesday.
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REACH committee votes to restrict intentional microplastics
On August 30, 2022, the European Commission presented a proposal to amend the REACH Regulation in order to address the proliferation of synthetic polymer microparticles (the so-called “microplastics”). On April 26, 2023, after a lengthy legislative process and heated discussions between member states and consultations with the various stakeholders, the REACH Committee voted in favour…
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Canada proposes significant regulation of consumer facing plastics
On April 18, 2023, the Government of Canada published proposed measures in furtherance of its zero plastic waste agenda. Canada proposes three main initiatives.
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US EPA Releases Draft National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution
Biden-Harris Administration Announces Latest Steps to Reduce Plastic Pollution Nationwide
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Indiana governor signs law designating chemical recycling as manufacturing
Similar ACC-backed bills have passed in 23 other states. The bill’s passage is part of a larger fight over the technologies’ role in plastics management in the U.S.
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UNEP: Everything you need to know about plastic pollution
This year’s World Environment Day – the fiftieth iteration of the annual celebration of the planet – is focusing on the plastic pollution crisis. The reason? Humanity produces more than 430 million tonnes of plastic annually, two-thirds of which are short-lived products that soon become waste, filling the ocean and, often, working their way into…
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Canada Consultation on Regulatory Framework for Plastic Packaging
The federal government launched public consultations on a regulatory framework to establish mandatory requirements for recycled content and labelling for plastic products, and on a technical paper that outlines the reporting requirements for the federal plastics registry.
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Reimagining the Waste Framework Directive – White Paper
White Paper: 2040 vision for a sustainable future requires radical rethink on EU materials and waste policy
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Asia and Australia target greenwashing as companies risk penalties
Asia-Pacific nations from Singapore to South Korea are getting tougher on false or misleading climate claims as ESG rules ramp up.
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Chinese National Food Safety Standard Restricting Excessive Packaging for Foods and Cosmetics
In August 2021, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) State Administration of Market Regulation (SAMR) released an updated National Food Safety Standard Restricting Excessive Packaging for Foods and Cosmetics (GB 23350-2021).
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Sustainable Apparel Coalition Position on the EU Green Claim Directive
The Sustainable Apparel Coalition has responded to the Substantiating Green Claims Directive, which was proposed by the European Commission on March 22.
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100 % Biodegradable Claims in India are Misleading Says Bureau of Indian Standards
The Compostable Plastics lobby continue their witch hunt on “biodegradable” plastics. The compostable plastics industry main strategy is to push their competitors off the cliff …. This tells you something about their moral compass and also about their own technology.
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G7 Meeting on Plastics
The G7 countries want to reduce their plastic pollution to zero by 2040 and accelerate their exit from fossil fuels
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Canada opens Applications for funding programs under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership
On March 6, 2023, the federal government opened applications for six programs under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP), Canada’s new iteration of its five-year farm policy framework.
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Bioplastics industry hopes farm bill can address Biden’s plastic replacement goal
After the Biden administration set a goal to boost bioplastic production by 90%, the industry said it needs more federal investment.
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The White House Unveils New Goals to Advance Biotechnology & Biomanufacturing
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced a new report, Bold Goals for U.S. Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing: Harnessing Research and Development to Further Societal Goals, to advance biotechnology and biomanufacturing, strengthen America’s bioeconomy and supply chain, and support American innovation.
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MEPs Back Tougher Sanctions Against Environmental Crimes
Draft report on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the protection of the environment through criminal law and replacing Directive 2008/99/EC(COM(2021)0851 – C9
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Draft Version of EU Green Claims Directive
The analysis says 53% of the environmental allegations related to the goods & services sold to the public are “uncertain, misleading or unfounded information”.
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EU Environmental Footprint Methods
The European Commission has proposed the Product Environmental Footprint and Organisation Environmental Footprint methods as a common way of measuring environmental performance — The European Commission is going too fast in their ideas and initiatives. A complete absence of people management. It’s complete confusion and with the worst possible timing.
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Bioplastics in Hong Kong, Update on the Situation
Hong Kong is beginning to move in the right direction in its bid to end its notorious “throwaway culture”. But comprehensive measures are needed to tackle the complex problems that arise, such the as different kinds of biodegradable plastics
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The EU Net Zero Industry Act
The aim is to increase the production of clean technologies in the EU and to ensure that the Union is well-equipped for the clean energy transition.
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Cefic Statement on the European Commission’s Net-Zero Industry Act
Today’s proposal for the Net Zero Industry Act reads more like a Zero Industry Act — Net Zero has become the equivalent of “greenwashing” and a “bourgeois” dogma completely disconnected from the reality of the common people. The European Union has embarked on a journey to make EU businesses and people poorer.
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EU Environment Council: Video Session on Regulation of Packaging and Packaging waste
The proposal aims to strengthen existing rules on the prevention, reduction and recycling of packaging and packaging waste. In particular, it proposes to reduce packaging waste by 15% per Member State per capita by 2040 and to ensure that all packaging on the EU market is recyclable in an economically viable way by 2030.
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PPWR Will Increase Plastic Packaging Waste by 1500% for takeaway Says McDonald’s study
The EU proposals are no silver bullet for the environment and packaging waste
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EU Environment Council to talk about Plastic Waste
Here’s the agenda of today’s EU Environment Council
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USAID Announces New Programs to Protect Our Ocean at the 2023 Our Ocean Conference
Today, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced new initiatives to improve management of marine resources, increase ocean resilience to climate change, and safeguard ocean health for generations to come at the 2023 Our Ocean Conference in Panama.
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Panama Bold Commitments to Reduce Plastic Pollution
Oceana Applauds Panama’s Bold Commitment to Reduce Plastic Pollution at 8th Annual Our Ocean Conference in Panamá
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Costa Rica Unveils Domestic Ag Policy Focused on Technology
The Chaves Government introduced a 10-year national agricultural strategy targeting improved export competitiveness through more efficient institutions and the adoption or development of innovative technologies.
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EU Public Consultation: New Product Priorities for Ecodesign for Sustainable Products
The Commission’s recent proposal on Ecodesign for Sustainable Products aims to make products sold in the EU subject to performance and information-related requirements, to ensure greater sustainability. The Commission seeks views on the categories of new products and measures to address first, so that it can set priorities transparently and inclusively.
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Ocean Treaty: Historic Agreement Reached After Decade of Talks
Nations have reached a historic agreement to protect the world’s oceans following 10 years of negotiations.
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