Environment and sustainability – April 2026
Rules and regulations in the EU
EU: The EC has published guidelines and Q&A for the PPWR. CEFLEX reports that CEN has published the harmonised standard series EN 18120 on Design for Recycling of plastic packaging. JRC has published a report (1.63 MB) on which data should be included in Digital Product Passports (DPPs) under the Ecodesign Regulation (ESPR). The EC has published an updated version of the EUDR supply chain infographic. NPA Sweden and six other EPR organisations have launched a guide (3.34 MB) to support producers in making informed design choices for plastic packaging. Belgium: IVC (in Dutch) reports that the new EPR Cooperation Agreement (in Dutch, 5.47 MB) covering the whole of Belgium has been published following approval by the three parliaments. Estonia: Draft legislation on the classification of waste has been sent to the EC. Italy: Draft legislation exempting biodegradable and compostable packaging from the PPWR’s ban on certain SUPs has been sent to the EC. NL all info is in Dutch unless stated otherwise: The government has updated the consideration framework on the scope of the SUP legislation. The Circular Materials Plan has been updated. The yes/no list for PMD waste (plastic, metal and drink cartons) is now available in eight extra languages, including English. Minister van Veldhoven has sent a letter with reports to the Dutch House of Representatives on the further development of EPR. Research by the Dutch Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) shows that the events sector is still making extensive use of SUP cups despite the ban. WUR has published a booklet on sustainable packaging (includes English summary, 3.32 MB) to provide guidance to the industry on packaging choices. Verpact has published provisional collection and recycling data for (deposit) packaging, along with financial results for 2025. The data (1.17 MB) show that €132 million (down from €139 million in 2024) worth of deposit was not claimed by consumers. Portugal: As of 10 April 2026, DRS system Volta has come into effect.
Rules and regulations outside the EU
China: The Ellen MacArthur Foundation has published a report (4.68 MB) on the recyclable plastic packaging design standards. UK: PackUK has announced that UK Packaging PRO has been appointed as the organisation for the pEPR scheme. The government has opened a consultation on reforming the packing waste recycling note (PRN) system. The Marine Conservation Society’s annual ‘State of our Beaches’ report (1.27 MB) shows a 15% drop in litter. The government reports on the simpler household recycling rules that came into force on 31 March 2026. Scotland: The government has published the Circular Economy Strategy. Wales: The government has voted in favour of the proposed DRS regulations. Exchange for Change reports that their application to be the scheme administrator for the DRS was not approved by the government. US: An article by EY discusses EPR in the different states.
Research
A new study (469 kB) published by EUROSAC shows that the carbon footprint of paper sacks has been reduced by 9% between 2021 and 2024. For his thesis (940 kB) at the University of Waterloo, Alexander Cha performed an LCA of milk packaging in Canada. University at Buffalo scientists are studying solvent-based recycling of PP and PE, a form of chemical recycling. Scientists from Shinshu University have found a new water method for the removal of micro- and nano-plastics from water using the natural slimy mucilage of nameko mushrooms. Researchers from the University of Cambridge have developed a method to produce clean hydrogen from recovered car battery acid and plastic waste.
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