Environment and sustainability – May 2026

Rules and regulations in the EU
Delegated Decision (EU) 2026/429 has been published, exempting plastic pallet wrappings and straps from the 100% reuse targets in the PPWR. To support companies, EUROPEN has developed a PPWR Conformity Assessment Toolkit. A report (6.09 MB) by the nova-Institute, commissioned by the EC, analyses the role of bio-based feedstocks in plastic packaging under the PPWR. The EC has published its simplification package for the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). It includes an updated guidance document, FAQ and a draft delegated act on the product scope of the EUDR that is open for feedback. The EC has also published a report (430 kB) with an overview of the simplification measures introduced since the entry into force, assessing their impact on administrative burdens and on the overall functioning of the EUDR. GreenDot has announced that DigiDot is expanding across Europe, helping consumers make better packaging sorting decisions by providing simple, location- and language-specific instructions through a single QR code. SfPE has published a report (4.4 MB) entitled ‘Steel Ahead: Packaging for a circular future.’ Austria: The government (in German) has announced that the planned tax on non-recyclable plastic will not be introduced. France: The EC has formally referred France to the Court of Justice of the EU over its mandatory Triman sorting label. Germany: The government has announced (in German) that a plastic tax is part of the 2027 federal budget. Ireland: The EC has opened an infringement procedure for failing to correctly transpose the SUP directive. NL all info is in Dutch unless stated otherwise: From November 2026, it will no longer be permitted to export plastic waste from the EU to non-OECD countries. Research (1.01 MB) by the Dutch Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) shows that Dutch exporters are likely to seek alternative ways of sending plastic abroad, with exports shifting to OECD countries such as Turkey. Commissioned by TKI Agri&Food, WUR carried out a study (2.05 MB) on the acceptance of bio-based packaging in the retail sector, with the aim of helping to accelerate this transition.

Rules and regulations outside the EU
South Korea: The government has presented a “Plan to Promote the Transition to a Plastic-Free Circular Economy”, including requiring PET bottles to contain 30% recycled content by 2030. UK: Exchange for Change has published its material specification for drinks containers included in the DRS scheme. WRAP reports that on 22 April 2026, the UK Packaging Pact (successor of the UK Plastics Pact) was launched. US: New research by SPC explores how the How2Recycle label suite can evolve for film collection. Findings point toward a potential new label design that communicates both the material type in iconography and the appropriate recovery pathway. CAA has opened a public comment period on a draft Responsible End Market (REM) standard. The standard is designed to support greater alignment in how EPR requirements are implemented, rather than separate state‑by‑state approaches. California: CalRecycle has approved EPR legislation SB 54 and published guidance.

Research
For her thesis (4.61 MB) at Queen's University Belfast, Si Gao compared reusable plastic crates with disposable packaging for transporting fruit and vegetables. She looked at environmental and cost implications.
A new study led by the University of Plymouth reveals the dominant items of marine litter globally. Plastic food packaging, caps/lids, and plastic bottles were among the top-ranked items in more than half of all nations.
 

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