Lorax EPI

New EU Regulation aimed at tackling freeriders
by Ellen Thornton at 13:34 in Battery, Emerging, WEEE, Packaging under Environmental

New EU Regulation aimed at tackling freeriders

​On 20 June, the Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 of the European Parliament and of the Council on market surveillance and compliance of products, was published. The new legislation prohibits products from being placed on the market in the EU unless the producer has an economic operator established in the EU. The aim of the Regulation is to prevent free riders f...

Turkey's new Zero Waste Regulation
by Ellen Thornton at 09:50 in Environmental, Circular Economy, Emerging under Environmental

​On 12th July, Turkey published the Regulation on Zero Waste (the ‘Regulation') in the Official Gazette, number 30829. This introduces the procedures and principles of the zero waste management system to be implemented in enterprises and industrial plants, such as airports, educational and healthcare institutions, manufacturing facilities and many more. T...

Turkey's new Zero Waste Regulation

Packaging labelling is evolving
by Ellen Thornton at 14:51 in Emerging, Packaging, Circular Economy under Environmental

Packaging labelling is evolving

The On-Pack Recycling Label (OPRL)​ has launched a review of its labelling rules which will, for the first time, take into account the recycling infrastructure, in addition to developments in collections services. ​The new rules will take into account the sorting processes at Material Recycling Facilities (MRFs) and the likelihood of that material being r...

Why is EPR needed? Nigeria’s e-waste crisis
by Ellen Thornton at 14:34 in Circular Economy, Emerging, Environmental, WEEE under Environmental

​Nigeria's e-waste production has increased​ by 170% from 2009 to 2017, with a generation of 290,000 tonnes in 2017. In addition to this, Nigeria receives shipments of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) from abroad. 60,000 tonnes of WEEE are shipped into the country through Lagos ports alone, according to United Nations University research. ...

Why is EPR needed? Nigeria’s e-waste crisis

Ontario extends electronic stewardship wind up date
by Ellen Thornton at 10:55 in Circular Economy, Emerging, WEEE, Battery under Environmental

Ontario extends electronic stewardship wind up date

​Earlier this year, Ontario Electronic Stewardship (OES) Program announced a ‘fee holiday' until the wind up of the program, on June 30th, 2020, due to a surplus of funds collected. It has just been announced that the Ministry of Environment, Parks and Recreation issued an amendment to the wind up date, which means the program will now end on 31st Decembe...

Chile introduces packaging EPR
by Ellen Thornton at 14:58 in Emerging, Packaging under Environmental

​Yesterday, the 'Proposed draft decree establishing goals of collection and recycling and associated packaging obligations' was published in Chile's Diario Oficial (official newspaper). The Draft Bill has been published for public consultation and would introduce the polluter pays principle alongside the hierarchy of waste management. Studies conducted by...

Chile introduces packaging EPR

What is Extended Producer Responsibility?
by Ellen Thornton at 08:22 in Battery, Packaging, WEEE under Environmental

What is Extended Producer Responsibility?

​Extended producer responsibility (EPR) is a concept which is used globally. It is introduced into countries through legislation or in some cases, voluntary schemes. EPR has been well established in Europe for many years. PrincipleEPR is the principle that producers are obligated for end-of-life waste management of the products and/or packaging they plac...

Edie Live 2019
by Ellen Thornton at 10:53 in Circular Economy, Emerging, Environmental, Packaging under Environmental

​As always, the Edie Live conference at the National Exhibition Centre was full of interesting and topical talks and debates. The main themes included single-use plastics and how to reduce these in addition to the need for introduction of extended producer responsibility (EPR) so producers take on the cost and responsibility of packaging and packaging was...

Edie Live 2019

Singapore Packaging Agreement
by Ellen Thornton at 08:27 in Packaging, Environmental under Environmental

Singapore Packaging Agreement

The Singapore Packaging Agreement facilitates the National Environment Agency (NEA) of Singapore and industry to work together in reducing packaging waste. The agreement introduces the principle of product stewardship for the lifecycle management of packaging for consumer goods. In Singapore, packaging waste constitutes around a third of domestic waste. ...

Registration of degradable plastic products in Saudi Arabia
by Ellen Thornton at 14:08 in Environmental, Emerging, Packaging under Environmental

​In Saudi Arabia, the Technical Regulation for Degradable Plastic Products applies to all disposable products manufactured from polypropylene and polyethylene plastics which are often used for a short time. The regulation stipulates that the products are oxo-degradable then bio-degradable, where plastic products used in the medical and food industries are...

Registration of degradable plastic products in Saudi Arabia

K-REACH - have you registered?
by Ellen Thornton at 09:24 in Content, Emerging under Environmental

K-REACH - have you registered?

​The South Korean Act on the Registration and Evaluation of Chemicals, known as K-REACH, came into force on January 1st, 2015. Since then, the Act has been revised by the Ministry of Environment with a new amendment which came into force on 1st January this year. This amendment means that all existing chemical substances (those listed on the Korea Existin...

Packaging Innovations 2019
by Ellen Thornton at 11:18 in Circular Economy, Emerging, Environmental, Packaging under Environmental

​The Packaging innovations event was held by Easyfairs over the 27th and 28th February with a major focus on sustainability. The Ecopack stage provided talks from industry experts, made more relevant than ever with the release of consultations from the UK Government. The consultations cover a tax on plastic packaging with less than 30% recycled content; a...

Packaging Innovations 2019

Washington State and Indiana progress legislation to implement EPR
by Ellen Thornton at 10:52 in Emerging, Packaging under Environmental

Washington State and Indiana progress legislation to implement EPR

​EPR legislation have been proposed in both Washington State and Indiana. If the Bills are passed, producers in the states will become responsible for the end-of-life packaging waste created from the products they place on the market. Washington StateIn Washington State, the Senate Bill 5397 would make producers responsible for the design and management ...

'Fee holiday' for e-waste in Ontario
by Ellen Thornton at 10:54 in Circular Economy, Emerging, WEEE, Environmental under Environmental

In Ontario the e-waste stewardship program is being wound-up and is set to cease by 30th June, 2020. This is due to the transition of the current program to a circular economy regime. During the running of the e-waste program, Ontario Electronic Stewardship collects and remits HTS on the fees charged to the stewards. Due to charging eco-fees to consumers...

'Fee holiday' for e-waste in Ontario

Hong Kong introduces producer repsonsbility scheme for glass
by Ellen Thornton at 14:58 in Emerging, Packaging, Environmental under Environmental

Hong Kong introduces producer repsonsbility scheme for glass

In Hong Kong, a mandatory scheme has been introduced to create a circular economy for glass. This will provide practicable solutions for at source separation, collection logistics, proper treatment and recovery outlets for the waste glass material. The Promotion of Recycling and Proper Disposal (Product Container) (Amendment) Bill 2015​, which lays out th...

The UK Plastics Pact - how do I complete my report?
by Ellen Thornton at 10:09 in Circular Economy, Emerging, Environmental, Packaging under Environmental

The UK Plastics Pact, brought about by WRAP, aims to create a circular economy for plastics. Through bringing together businesses from the entire plastics value chain with UK governments and NGOs, with the goal of overcoming plastic waste. Business members who are responsible for placing plastic packaging on the UK market are obligated to contribute a rep...

The UK Plastics Pact - how do I complete my report?

Expansion of electronics and batteries producer responsibility in Ontario
by Ellen Thornton at 11:29 in Battery, Circular Economy, Emerging, WEEE under Environmental

Expansion of electronics and batteries producer responsibility in Ontario

The Ontario Ministry of the Environment is currently holding consultations with stakeholders in the electronics / electrical equipment and batteries sector regarding the approaching circular economy regulation for EEE and batteries (and their packaging). The consultation ends on 6th February and will focus on the key decisions affecting industry as part o...

The EU proposes Direcitve to reduce the impact of certain plastic products on the environment
by Ellen Thornton at 14:43 in Circular Economy, Emerging, Packaging under Environmental

On 18th January, the Council of the European Union published the Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment. The objective of this proposal is to prevent and reduce the impact of certain plastic products on the environment, in particular the aquatic e...

The EU proposes Direcitve to reduce the impact of certain plastic products on the environment

The latest Extended Producer Respsonbility updates in South America
by Ellen Thornton at 09:04 in Circular Economy, Emerging, Environmental, Packaging under Environmental

The latest Extended Producer Respsonbility updates in South America

Following our last blog covering EPR updates in South America, we have more news to keep you up to speed. There has been further development in EPR legislation alongside many single-use plastic restrictions. In Brazil, we see the further development of the National Solid Waste Policy. A new Chamber of Deputies Bill No. 11186/2018 would make amendments to...

Compliance Update - French packaging scheme, Citeo, makes changes for the 2020 report
by Ellen Thornton at 08:53 in Packaging, Emerging under Environmental

The French household packaging compliance scheme, Citeo, has announced updates to reporting for 2019 data which will be submitted in 2020. There are changes to the bonus and penalty system and a simplified return for the consumer sales unit statement which has been phased in over the past couple of years. For 2019 data, the tariffs for the sectoral decla...

Compliance Update - French packaging scheme, Citeo, makes changes for the 2020 report

Non-packaging product compliance in Slovakia - are you aware of your obligations?
by Ellen Thornton at 11:13 in Environmental under Environmental

Non-packaging product compliance in Slovakia - are you aware of your obligations?

An extended producer responsibility obligation for non-packaging products exists in Slovakia in addition to the obligation for EEE, batteries and accumulators, packaging, vehicles and pneumatic tyres. Non- packaging products belong to one of the following groups of products which will become a part of municipal waste:Articles of plastics consisting of pol...

The new German Packaging Act - have you registered?
by Ellen Thornton at 13:14 in Emerging, Packaging under Environmental

In Germany, the new Packaging Act (VerpackG) came into effect on 1 January this year with more onerous obligations placed on companies with significantly more packaging that needs to be recycled. Obligated producers must have been registered with the new Central Office by 1 January through the packaging register LUCID or will face fines of up to 200,000 E...

The new German Packaging Act - have you registered?

Lastest updates in South American Extended Producer Responsibility
by Ellen Thornton at 14:51 in Emerging, Environmental, Packaging, Battery under Environmental

Lastest updates in South American Extended Producer Responsibility

Extended producer responsibility and general waste legislation has been developing continually in Latin America for a few years now. Here is a summary of the latest and most significant legislative updates. In Brazil, Law No. 8151 of 1​ November 2018 established the system of reverse logistics of packaging and packaging waste, within the scope of the Sta...

UK Government launches long-awaited Resources and Waste Strategy
by Ellen Thornton at 16:32 in Circular Economy, Environmental, Emerging, Packaging under Environmental

Today, 18th December, the UK Government has launched their long-awaited Resourses and Waste Strategy (RWS) as part of the 25 Year Environment Plan. In the Plan, the Government pledged to leave the environment in a better condition for the next generation, the RWS will be implemented to meet this commitment by becoming a world leader in using resources eff...

UK Government launches long-awaited Resources and Waste Strategy

The EAC investigates the sustainability of the fashion industry
by Ellen Thornton at 10:28 in Circular Economy, Emerging, Environmental, Packaging under Environmental

The EAC investigates the sustainability of the fashion industry

The Environment Audit Committee (EAC) is investigating the social and environmental impact of disposable fast fashion and the wider clothing industry. The inquiry is looking into how clothes can be recycled, and the waste and pollution reduced. On 27th November, the EAC questioned leading high street, luxury and online fashion retailers as part of their i...

Conai packaging update
by Ellen Thornton at 14:43 in Emerging, Packaging, Environmental under Environmental

Changes will be introduced for the Italian packaging scheme, Conai, from January 1st 2019. There will be diversification for polylaminated packaging suitable for containing liquids, such as containers used for fruit juices, milk and preserves. Compared to the environmental contribution for paper and cardboard packaging of €20.00 per ton, the additional c...

Conai packaging update

Rinki packaging update
by Ellen Thornton at 13:43 in Emerging, Packaging, Environmental under Environmental

Rinki packaging update

There have been changes announced by Finnish packaging scheme, Rinki, to their packaging declaration to be introduced from 1st January 2019, to be applied to 2018 data. These include exclusion of deposit packaging, separate reporting of conventional and biodegradable plastic packaging and more specific definitions for wooden packaging. Deposit packaging ...

European Parliament votes to back ban on single-use plastics
by Ellen Thornton at 14:14 in Emerging, Environmental, Packaging under Environmental

On 24th October, the European Parliament voted to back an EU ban on throwaway plastics by 2021. Items such as plates, cutlery, straws, balloon sticks will be banned if approved by the Member States ministers at the next stage of talks. In addition, MEPs added oxo-plastics and certain polystyrenes to the to the ban proposed by the commission. Furthermore, ...

European Parliament votes to back ban on single-use plastics

Latest updates from South America
by Ellen Thornton at 12:56 in Emerging, Environmental, Packaging under Environmental

Latest updates from South America

Following our webinar last month updating you on the plastic bans and EPR progress in South America, we have seen further proposed laws in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico and Peru. Here's a quick summary of the latest news. In Argentina, two Chamber of Deputies Bills have been proposed. One would establish a program for the progres...

Chemicals in plastics; how dangerous are they?
by Ellen Thornton at 12:21 in Environmental, Packaging under Environmental

Over the last year we have seen the devastating effects of plastic pollution in the oceans on marine life through entanglement and ingestion. However, there are additional threats which are not so visible on the macroscale. Microplastics and chemicals in plastics are posing a potentially increasing and often unknown risk in the natural environment. In thi...

Chemicals in plastics; how dangerous are they?

Recycle Week 2018
by Ellen Thornton at 09:34 in Environmental, Packaging under Environmental

Recycle Week 2018

This week, 24 – 30th September, is the UK's 15th annual recycle week. This year's theme is: ‘Recycling. We do. Because it matters.' which aims to encourage the public to recycle more, by demonstrating the benefits of recycling items from all around the home. This year, plastic and recycling is very much in the spotlight, this is a great opportunity for bu...

RWM Conference 2018
by Ellen Thornton at 14:07 in Circular Economy, Emerging, Environmental, Packaging under Environmental

The majority of Lorax staff attended RWM Conference 2018 after such a positive experience in 2017. We heard from countless waste and resources experts, consultants, members of advisory committees, NGOs and an inspiring MP. Key themes of the conference included global extended producer responsibility, plastic packaging and pollution, the future of EPR and ...

RWM Conference 2018

Implementation of 2018 Open Scope WEEE
by Ellen Thornton at 09:54 in WEEE, Emerging under Environmental

Implementation of 2018 Open Scope WEEE

The EU WEEE Directive (Directive 2012/19/EU) introduced a number of changes to the original Directive (Directive 2002/96/EC), including an 'Open Scope' of 6 revised categories instead of the previous 10, which according to the Directive are to be introduced from 15 August 2018. The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive, which was made an EU ...

France's pioneering Circular Economy Roadmap
by Ellen Thornton at 14:58 in Circular Economy, Emerging, Environmental under Environmental

Earlier this year, the French Ministry of Ecological and Solidarity Transition released their Circular Economy Roadmap (FREC) which is an operational transition from a linear ‘make, consume, throw' economic model to a circular model that integrates the entire product life cycle. This covers ecodesign, management of waste, consumption and reduction of wast...

France's pioneering Circular Economy Roadmap

The future of the environment post-Brexit
by Ellen Thornton at 13:18 in Emerging, Environmental under Environmental

The future of the environment post-Brexit

In an Environment Audit Committee session with Michael Gove, the Secretary of State was quizzed on the future of environmental standards following Brexit. Gove reaffirmed that the Government wants to enhance or even increase the level of environmental standards currently in place, although the Committee insist that following the publication of the Governm...

Are biodegradable, compostable and bioplastics the future of plastic packaging?
by Ellen Thornton at 08:44 in Emerging, Packaging under Environmental

In an effort to move away from conventional plastic packaging, compostable and biodegradable packaging is making advances in industry. Plastics can be made from fossil based or bio-based materials and both of these can be used to make durable, non-biodegradable plastics or plastics which biodegrade or compost. Companies such as Vegware, an Edinburgh based...

Are biodegradable, compostable and bioplastics the future of plastic packaging?

The New Plastics Economy; a solution to our plastic problem?
by Ellen Thornton at 10:49 in Circular Economy, Environmental, Packaging under Environmental

The New Plastics Economy; a solution to our plastic problem?

Following the airing of David Attenborough's Blue Planet II, awareness of the global plastics problem​ increased drastically and plastics have become demonised. According to research by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, in the past 50 years, plastic production has increased from 15 million tonnes in 1964 to 311 million tonnes in 2014 and is expected to doub...

Online sales are rapidly increasing the WEEE free-riding
by Ellen Thornton at 14:33 in WEEE, Environmental under Environmental

The OECD published a report in June 2018, detailing the impact of online sales of electronic and electrical equipment (EEE) in Europe, the United States and Canada. Online sales of EEE are now a major and growing part of retail in most OECD countries. A very significant proportion of these sales involve cross-border trade, and free-riding related to this ...

Online sales are rapidly increasing the WEEE free-riding

What’s the difference? Packaging waste compliance systems in Germany and the UK
by Ellen Thornton at 10:43 in Packaging, Environmental under Environmental

What’s the difference? Packaging waste compliance systems in Germany and the UK

​The EU Directive 94/62/EC on Packaging and Packaging Waste of 1994, as amended, lays down measures to prevent production of packaging waste, reuse of packaging, recycling and other forms of recovering packaging waste and therefore reducing the final disposal of such waste. The majority of Member States have implemented this through extended producer resp...

What consumers need to know about the Green Dot
by Ellen Thornton at 14:14 in Packaging, Environmental, Circular Economy under Environmental

Extended producer responsibility Producers of packaging in Europe are obligated under the European Union's Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive to cover the cost of collection and recycling of packaging waste. They do this by paying a fee for the weight of packaging they place on the market in each respective country. This fee is usually paid to a pack...

What consumers need to know about the Green Dot

What businesses need to know about the Green Dot
by Ellen Thornton at 10:28 in Packaging, Environmental under Environmental

What businesses need to know about the Green Dot

What is it?The Green Dot is a widely recognised symbol on packaging in many European Countries. The mark signifies that for that piece of packaging, a financial contribution has been paid to a national packaging recovery organisation, set up in accordance with the principles defined in the European Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive 94/62 and the res...

National Audit Office Report finds concerns with UK packaging waste system
by Ellen Thornton at 13:44 in Emerging, Environmental, Packaging under Environmental

A report by the National Audit Office examined the packaging recycling obligations in the UK in response to a request from the Environmental Audit Committee. The report was published on 23 July and below summarises the key findings. The UK's Environment Audit Committee asked the National Audit Office to review the system due to concerns that it could b...

National Audit Office Report finds concerns with UK packaging waste system

Recycle BC expands to include single-use and packaging-like products
by Ellen Thornton at 10:12 in Circular Economy, Emerging, Environmental, Packaging under Environmental

Recycle BC expands to include single-use and packaging-like products

On 12th July, Recycle BC published their revised plan as the second phase of their steward consultation of the program. The program is the only residential packaging and paper product (PPP) program in Canada that is entirely financed and operated by producers. In 2017, 175,000 tonnes of the programs members' material were recovered, achieving a recovery r...

Industry heroes
by Ellen Thornton at 08:52 in Circular Economy, Emerging, Environmental, Packaging under Environmental

Extended producer responsibility laws require producers to cover the cost of collection, recycling for the end of life of products they have placed on the market. However, some producers go above and beyond their responsibilities under the law to minimise their impact on the environment. These are just some of those industry heroes… IKEAIKEA have moved a...

Industry heroes

The future of the Australian waste and recycling industry
by Ellen Thornton at 07:43 in Circular Economy, Emerging, Environmental, Packaging under Environmental

The future of the Australian waste and recycling industry

The Environment and communications references committee has made many recommendations to the Australian government concerning the waste and recycling industry. Following evidence and comments from the industry, proposals have been submitted relating to the establishment of a circular economy; prioritisation of the waste hierarchy; the phasing out of petro...

Government of Yukon announces amendments to the Designated Materials Regulation
by Ellen Thornton at 13:36 in Emerging, WEEE under Environmental

Following a consultation with Yukoners and information from established systems in other Canadian jurisdictions, the Government has announced it will make amendments to the Designated Materials Regulation to increase recycling and waste diversion. The amended regulation and any associated obligations for producers will come into full effect on October 1st...

Government of Yukon announces amendments to the Designated Materials Regulation

EU waste legislative package published in the Official Journal of the European Union
by Ellen Thornton at 10:03 in Circular Economy, Emerging, Environmental, Packaging, WEEE, Battery under Environmental

EU waste legislative package published in the Official Journal of the European Union

On 14 June, the Official Journal of the European Union published the EU waste legislative package which includes amendments to the Directives on end-of-life vehicles; batteries and accumulators and waste batteries and accumulators; waste electrical and electronic equipment; landfill of waste; waste and packaging and packaging waste among others. These ame...

Approaching deadline for EPR reporting in Chile
by Ellen Thornton at 14:13 in Battery, Packaging, WEEE under Environmental

Under the provisions of the second transitory article of Law No 20,920, producers of certain priority products are obligated to report information to the Ministry of Environment. The submission date for products placed on the market last year is 31 August, under the Exempt Resolution No. 0409/2018 of the MMA. The obligation applies to producers of the fo...

Approaching deadline for EPR reporting in Chile

Packaging Waste and Sustainability Forum 2018
by Ellen Thornton at 14:58 in Circular Economy, Emerging, Environmental, Packaging under Environmental

Packaging Waste and Sustainability Forum 2018

On the 5th, 6th and 7th of June this year, the annual packaging waste and sustainability forum was held in Brussels. The days were filled with interesting talks from members of the European Commission, producers and retailers, industry representatives and producer responsibility organisations (PROs) who addressed topics such as the new EU recycling target...

Modulated fees in EPR
by Ellen Thornton at 14:18 in Emerging, Environmental, Packaging under Environmental

Earlier this year, the Secretary of State for the Environment in the UK, Michael Gove, announced a reform of the current PRN system based on a consultation taking place later this year. Following this, there has been a lot of talk about modulated fees, which are already in place in the French and Italian packaging compliance schemes, CONAI and Citeo. Modu...

Modulated fees in EPR

Hong Kong's Producer Responsibility Schemes
by Ellen Thornton at 13:07 in Emerging, Packaging, WEEE under Environmental

Hong Kong's Producer Responsibility Schemes

In July 2008, the Product Eco-responsibility Ordinance (Cap. 603) was enacted as an umbrella legislation to put in place the shared core elements of all producer responsibility schemes (PRS) in Hong Kong. It outlines the fundamental regulatory requirements in respect of individual types of product, including operational details in the Ordinance and its su...

edie Live 2018
by Ellen Thornton at 09:30 in Circular Economy, Emerging, Environmental, Packaging under Environmental

On the 22nd and 23rd May, edie held their energy, sustainability and resource efficiency conference at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. Their theme this year was mission possible: achieving a sustainable future. The conference was packed with exhibitions, advice clinics and a live theatre programme which was split into four areas: sustainabil...

edie Live 2018

Comply or comply not, there is no try. Even lightsabers too, have environmental obligations
by Ellen Thornton at 08:00 in Battery, Packaging, WEEE under Environmental

Comply or comply not, there is no try. Even lightsabers too, have environmental obligations

Our new website is launching today…May the 4th….which means our techy folk at Lorax Compliance thought it deserved a Star Wars themed unveiling. And what is more Star Wars than a lightsaber? Even humble Jedi should be aware of their environmental implications and as a product with a unique supply chain, lightsaber manufactures are often unsure of their ex...

Plastics tax announced in EU budget
by Ellen Thornton at 15:18 in Circular Economy, Emerging, Packaging under Environmental

EU BudgetOn 2nd May​​, the EU announces its budget for 2021 – 2027. The budget includes a section on modern sources of funding for the EU. On account of Brexit, there is a resulting net loss in the EU's budget and furthermore new EU priorities require new investment. The Commission has proposed to fund these through a combination of fresh money (80%), red...

Plastics tax announced in EU budget

Updated E-Waste Management Rules in India
by Ellen Thornton at 10:19 in Emerging, WEEE under Environmental

Updated E-Waste Management Rules in India

Currently in India, a large quantity of e-waste is managed by the informal sector. The sector encompasses waste pickers, dismantlers, recyclers, etc. This work is unregulated and inefficient and can often cause damage to the environment. Furthermore, there can be major risks to human health as e-waste can contain toxic substances such as cadmium, lead, ar...

Michael Gove announces there will be changes to the PRN system
by Ellen Thornton at 11:06 in Emerging, Packaging under Environmental

On 26 April the Plastics Pact was announced with 40 businesses having signed up, it includes voluntary aims to drive up recycling of plastics and greater use of recycled plastic material. Furthermore, as Michael Gove unveiled the pact, he also confirmed there will be changes to the Packaging Recovery Notes (PRN) system. This is expected as part of the Res...

Michael Gove announces there will be changes to the PRN system

Wind up of MHSW program in Ontario
by Ellen Thornton at 14:22 in Content, Emerging, Environmental under Environmental

Wind up of MHSW program in Ontario

On 12 April 2018, the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change issued direction to Stewardship Ontario to wind up the Municipal Hazardous or Special Waste (MHSW) Program by December 31st, 2020. Materials collected under the MHSW program will be managed according to an individual producer responsibility framework under the Resource Recovery and Circu...

New EPR Regulations announced in Brazil
by Ellen Thornton at 19:03 in Battery, Emerging, Packaging, WEEE under Environmental

On 3 April, The Sao Paulo State environment agency (CETESB) issued Decision No. 076/2018/C establishing the integration of take-back requirements into the environmental permitting procedure. Manufacturers, importers, distributors and sellers of certain products may only be issued environmental operation permits after compliance with take-back regulations ...

New EPR Regulations announced in Brazil

New EPR Regulation in Mozambique
by Ellen Thornton at 10:41 in Emerging, Environmental, Packaging under Environmental

New EPR Regulation in Mozambique

The Decree 79/2017, of 28 December 2017, approving the Regulation on the Extended Responsibility of Producers and Importers of Packaging, was approved by the Council of Ministers and came into force on 29th December 2017. The Regulation applies to all public and private entities, natural or legal persons engaged in the production, import and management of...

What happened when Lorax gave up plastic for lent
by Ellen Thornton at 09:46 in Packaging, Environmental under Environmental

Here at Lorax, in an effort to reduce our use of plastic, we took part in Plastikfasten. This involved aiming to give up or reduce the amount of plastic we use during the 40 days of Lent. As part of the challenge, we collected any plastic used in the office as well as collecting and weighing any plastic each of us used at home. When it comes to the weekly...

What happened when Lorax gave up plastic for lent

UK Government announces introduction of a deposit return scheme in England
by Ellen Thornton at 10:17 in Emerging, Packaging, Environmental under Environmental

UK Government announces introduction of a deposit return scheme in England

Today, the government has announced it will introduce a deposit return scheme in England for single use drinks containers, subject to a consultation later this year. The consultation will cover details of how the scheme would work, alongside other measures to increase recycling rates. Environment Secretary Michael Gove said: 'We can be in no doubt that pl...

Amendments to circular economy draft opinion
by Ellen Thornton at 11:04 in Circular Economy, Emerging, Environmental, Packaging under Environmental

On the 8th March, the European Parliament published amendments to the Cohesion policy and the circular economy draft opinion​. ​​​​​The amendments include numerous changes and several new paragraphs concerning implementation of the circular economy in Member States and the impact of China's new restrictions. The amendments bring​ a focus onto the need fo...

Amendments to circular economy draft opinion

Canada: CSSA packaging compliance update
by Ellen Thornton at 12:57 in Emerging, Packaging under Environmental

Canada: CSSA packaging compliance update

The Canada Stewardship Services Alliance (CSSA) is a packaging scheme which obligates producers, or stewards, in British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Saskatchewan. These are legal obligations under the provincial packaging and printed paper (PPP) materials recycling regulations​. Stewards can be retailers, restaurants, importers, manufacturers, governm...

Belgium: Fost Plus packaging compliance update
by Ellen Thornton at 10:20 in Packaging, Emerging under Environmental

Fost Plus is a packaging compliance scheme in Belgium. There are different types of decarations depending on your company, sector and the type of packaging you bring to the market. Companies with a turnover below €15 million on the Belgium market for household packaging can make a lump-sum declaration. Companies that fulfil a number of conditions and brin...

Belgium: Fost Plus packaging compliance update

Belgium: Val-i-pac packaging compliance update
by Ellen Thornton at 09:54 in Packaging under Environmental

Belgium: Val-i-pac packaging compliance update

Val-i-pac is a Belgian packaging compliance scheme which covers industrial packaging waste. Companies who produce less than 5 tonnes of packaging per year can submit a simplified declaration instead of the ordinary declaration. Any company that uses 10 tonnes or more of packaging while selling its products in Belgium has a legal obligation to submit a pre...

Finland: packaging compliance update
by Ellen Thornton at 09:51 in Packaging, Emerging under Environmental

Rinki is the packaging compliance scheme in Finland. Only producers with an annual turnover exceeding €1 million are obligated. Recyclable plastic bottles, beverage cans and glass bottles have a deposit associated and hence aren't charged a recycling fee. Submission date: 28th February 2018 for annual report.Changes: From 1st January 2018, a new tonne-b...

Finland: packaging compliance update

Belgium: battery compliance update
by Ellen Thornton at 09:39 in Battery, Emerging under Environmental

Belgium: battery compliance update

Bebat is the Belgium scheme for battery reporting. Companies who place less than 10,000 batteries on the market per year can report annually using the simplified declaration, otherwise they must report monthly. The simplified declaration means you only have to submit one declaration per year for the number of batteries you put onto the market (individuall...

The EU Circular Economy Stakeholder Conference Blog
by Ellen Thornton at 08:41 in Circular Economy, Emerging, Environmental under Environmental

On the 20th and 21st February, the European Commission held an EU Stakeholder Conference on the circular economy. The conference aimed to address the challenges and opportunities in delivering the circular economy through plenary sessions, a number of break out sessions and keynote speeches. ​The first plenary session discussed the EU Strategy for Plastic...

The EU Circular Economy Stakeholder Conference Blog

France: packaging compliance update
by Ellen Thornton at 08:34 in Emerging, Packaging under Environmental

France: packaging compliance update

Citeo, which was formed due to the merging of Ecoemballages and the paper scheme Ecofolio, is the packaging scheme in France covering household packaging only. The scheme applies bonuses and penalties for certain actions, for example, a bonus of 8% is rewarded for reduction of the weight of packaging, removal of black carbon dye in plastic packaging and r...

UK: Packaging compliance update
by Ellen Thornton at 08:54 in Packaging under Environmental

In the UK producers are obligated if their annual turnover exceeds £2 million and they handle more than 50 tonnes of packaging and/or packaging materials. In the UK, there are over 30 compliance schemes for packaging. A list of schemes is available here. ​Submission date: 28th February How does the UK system work? The UK works on a shared producer respon...

UK: Packaging compliance update

Spain: Ecoembes packaging compliance update
by Ellen Thornton at 09:46 in Packaging, Emerging under Environmental

Spain: Ecoembes packaging compliance update

Ecoembes is a compliance scheme in Spain for household packaging. All packaging for households (primary, secondary and tertiary) must be reported, whereas commercial packaging is only reported voluntarily. Submission date: 28th February 2018 for annual reportThresholds: if producers place less than 8 tonnes of packaging on the Spanish market per year, the...

Turkey: Cevko packaging compliance update
by Ellen Thornton at 09:35 in Packaging under Environmental

Cevko is a packaging scheme in Turkey which charges a fee per tonne for different packaging types. The scheme covers primary, secondary and tertiary packaging and there are no obligation thresholds - the first piece of packaging placed on the Turkish market is obligated. Submission date: 28th February for annual report.Upcoming changes: Turkey recently pu...

Turkey: Cevko packaging compliance update

Ireland: Repak packaging compliance update
by Ellen Thornton at 09:28 in Packaging under Environmental

Ireland: Repak packaging compliance update

Repak is packaging scheme for primary, secondary and tertiary packaging in Ireland. ​Only 'major producers' with a turnover greater than €1 million who also place more than 10 tonnes of packaging on the Irish market per year are obligated to report​. Submission date: 21st February for bi-annual submission (1st July – 31st December data)Minimum membership ...

Austria: ERA WEEE compliance update
by Ellen Thornton at 14:40 in Emerging, WEEE under Environmental

ERA is a battery and WEEE compliance scheme in Austria. The scheme covers household and industrial WEEE and requires either monthly, quarterly or annual reports depending on the producer's annual fee. Submission dates:Monthly: 10th of the second month after the one being reported. Q4: 10th February 2018. Annual: 31st March 2018. Changes: Fees changed i...

Austria: ERA WEEE compliance update

Austria: ERA batteries compliance update
by Ellen Thornton at 09:32 in Battery, Emerging under Environmental

Austria: ERA batteries compliance update

​ERA is a battery and WEEE compliance scheme in Austria. The scheme covers appliance, vehicle and industrial batteries and requires either monthly, quarterly or annual reports depending on the producer's annual fee. ​Submission dates:Monthly: 10th of the second month after the one being reported. Q4: 10th February 2018. Annual: 31st March 2018. ​Fees and ...

What is the UK doing about plastics?
by Ellen Thornton at 08:45 in Circular Economy, Environmental, Emerging, Packaging under Environmental

Recently the Government has been called upon to take action on our societies throw away habits, with plastic water bottles and disposable coffee cups in the spot light. Despite the readily available alternatives, recycling rates have stalled, and our behavioural habits are yet to change. A new scheme set up by industry body Water UK aims to offer free wat...

What is the UK doing about plastics?

Turkey takes action on plastic packaging
by Ellen Thornton at 15:48 in Circular Economy, Emerging, Environmental, Packaging under Environmental

Turkey takes action on plastic packaging

In Turkey, The Regulation on Packaging Waste Control was published in the country's official gazette on 27 December and took effect on 1 January 2018. The new regulation details new recycling targets, changes to EPR and will introduce a charge on plastic bags from 1st January 2019, prohibiting the distribution of free plastic bags. ​Under the revised regu...

End-of-Life Vehicles Extended Producer Responsibility
by Ellen Thornton at 08:16 in Environmental under Environmental

Similar to WEEE, packaging and batteries, vehicles are subject to extended producer responsibility (EPR) regulations in the EU to ensure they are disposed of in an environmentally sound manner at the end of their useful life. Producers in member states are obligated for vehicles, including their components, spare and replacement parts and materials. EUA ...

End-of-Life Vehicles Extended Producer Responsibility

Circular Economy package update
by Ellen Thornton at 08:05 in Circular Economy, Emerging, Environmental, Packaging under Environmental

Circular Economy package update

On 18th December, the Estonian presidency reached a provisional agreement with representatives of the European Parliament on all four legislative proposals of the waste package. The revised circular economy package was presented by the European Commission on 3rd December 2015 with four waste legislative proposals of the waste package and an Action Plan in...

Articles under REACH explained
by Ellen Thornton at 14:50 in Content, Emerging, Environmental under Environmental

In June this year, ECHA released a revised guidance​ concerning articles under REACH. The European Court of Justice ruling from September 2015 means that the 0.1% concentration of candidate list substance threshold now applies to individual components within the products. ​Whereas previously, t​​​​he threshold applied to the concentration over a whole com...

Articles under REACH explained

Emerging EPR in South America
by Ellen Thornton at 10:20 in Battery, Emerging, Content, Packaging, Circular Economy, WEEE, Environmental under Environmental

Emerging EPR in South America

There is currently an array of changes occurring in South America in relation to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations and recycling laws. Countries such as Brazil, Chile a​nd Argentina are catching up with Europe as many new EPR Bills are proposed. ​ArgentinaIn Argentina, a Bill has been proposed to modify the Integrated Management of Househ...

Chemical Product Registers you didn’t know existed
by Ellen Thornton at 09:10 in Content, Environmental under Environmental

The Substances in Preparations in Nordic Countries (SPIN) database contains information on the chemicals that are used in the Nordic countries, based on the Products Registries of Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland. In these countries, manufacturers and/or importers of substances must submit a notification to the Product Register. The chemicals to be rep...

Chemical Product Registers you didn’t know existed

UK consultation on adopting “Open Scope” WEEE categories
by Ellen Thornton at 08:48 in Emerging, WEEE, Battery, Environmental under Environmental

UK consultation on adopting “Open Scope” WEEE categories

Currently in the UK, electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and WEEE are categorised and reported under 14 categories which comprises of 10 compulsory categories and 4 subcategories. The EU WEEE Directive (Directive 2012/19/EU) introduced a number of changes to the original Directive (Directive 2002/96/EC), inclu​ding an 'Open Scope' of 6 revised categ...

Global deposit return schemes
by Ellen Thornton at 13:50 in Environmental, Circular Economy, Emerging, Packaging under Environmental

Deposit return schemes add a small deposit on to the cost of drinks which is refunded to the consumer when the container is returned. Hence, the incentive for consumers to recycle their drinks containers is much greater. Containers, such as glass, can be refilled and other such as cans can be recycled, eliminating wastage of the containers. However, such ...

Global deposit return schemes

Recycle Week 2017
by Ellen Thornton at 08:53 in Circular Economy, Packaging, Environmental under Environmental

Recycle Week 2017

This week, 25th September to 1st October, is Recycle Week in the UK. This is the 14thannual recycling, this year with the theme of 'Recycling – It's Worth It!'. This week, organised by WRAP, aims to encourage the public to recycle more, by demonstrating the benefits of recycling from all around the home. Why recycle?Currently only 14% of plastic reaches r...

Romanian packaging fees
by Ellen Thornton at 09:30 in Packaging, Emerging under Environmental

In 2016 there were two emergency ordinances in Romania. The first of these included producer changes where producers can now fulfil their obligations themselves by using any packaging waste existing on the market. Whereas previously, this could only be their own packaging. Hence, producers must prove the correct quantity was recycled corresponding to the ...

Romanian packaging fees

RWM Exhibition 2017
by Ellen Thornton at 13:05 in Circular Economy, Environmental, Packaging, Emerging under Environmental

RWM Exhibition 2017

The RWM is an exhibition of four industry events – The Energy Event, The Renewables Event, The Water Event and RWM. Held in the National Exhibition Centre over 3 days, the event had six zones representing the Ene​rgy, Water and recycling and waste markets.RWM's Mission Statement:'RWM seeks to build a community for a resource-efficient future. We co...

Changes to Norwegian packaging regulations
by Ellen Thornton at 15:34 in Packaging, Emerging under Environmental

As of 1st September 2017, certain previously voluntary regulations in Norway became mandatory. These changes and others, which will come into force on 1st January 2018, will effect producers and return companies. Changes for producersAs of 1st September 2017, certain previously voluntary regulations in Norway became mandatory. Producers now have re...

UK’s post-Brexit stance on REACH registration and compliance
by Ellen Thornton at 07:51 in Emerging under Environmental

​​In a new Brexit paper, released on 21st August, the UK states its position on where businesses stand when they have undertaken compliance activities prior to Britain leaving the EU. The main conclusion of this paper is that businesses who place goods on the market before exit from the EU will not have to duplicate compliance activities. There is often a...

New York’s E-Waste Law
by Ellen Thornton at 07:41 in WEEE, Environmental, Emerging under Environmental

​The Electronic Equipment Recycling and Reuse Act requires manufacturers who sell covered electronic equipment​ (CEE) in New York to provide a convenient system for collecting, handling and recycling or reusing electronic waste. The law, signed in on 28th May 2010, prohibited consumers from throwing out e-waste in their normal rubbish bins. Manufac...

New York’s E-Waste Law

REACH regulations outside the EU
by Ellen Thornton at 09:34 in Emerging, Environmental, Content under Environmental

EU REACH regulations enco​​​​mpass the Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemical substances manufactured or imported into the EU or EEA above 1 tonne per year. This regulation provides an extensive database of the risks and uses of chemical substances, mixtures and articles and the opportunity for information sharing between companies who use...

The problem with plastic
by Ellen Thornton at 15:17 in Circular Economy, Environmental, Packaging under Environmental

There's a wealth of knowledge about the negative effect plastic waste has on the environment. This blog seeks to uncover what the problems are and how governments and industry can stop it from getting worse. The problemRecently it seems that we have been overwhelmed with devastating facts and figures concerning the negative impact of plastic waste on our...

Battery recycling in Australia – what are the next steps?
by Ellen Thornton at 13:45 in Battery, Environmental under Environmental

​Currently, in Australia, only 5% of handheld rechargeable batteries are recycled. Many of these contain hazardous substances with the capacity to harm people and the environment. This was one of the issues discussed by Commonwealth, State and Territory Environment Ministers on 28th July in Melbourne. They recognised successful pilot schemes in Toowoomba ...

Reporting and obligation thresholds – what are they and how do they differ?
by Ellen Thornton at 14:40 in Battery, Environmental, Packaging, WEEE under Environmental

Obligations and reporting thresholds for packaging, WEEE and battery schemes vary from scheme to scheme and country to country. Obligation thresholds are more typically implemented through packaging waste legislation and reporting thresholds can be seen in p​​ackaging, WEEE and battery legislation. However, many countries have not implemented thresholds a...

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