News

Matthias Giebel
24. May 2022

ReShaping Plastics study: Two key challenges for the circular economy in the packaging industry

On April 09th, 2022, the study “ReShaping Plastics” was presented. The survey by think tank SystemIQ was commissioned by PlasticsEurope with the support of an independent steering committee and expert panel. Representatives from EU institutions, non-governmental organisations, universities and industry were involved. Among them was Matthias Giebel, Partner for Sustainability & Innovation at B+P Consultants […]

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Matthias Giebel

Trump (with risks) in marketing: climate-neutral products

Marketing has (rightly) recognised the topic of climate-neutral products as a purchase criterion and is increasingly advertising CO2 neutrality. But how do you go about it in a serious and scientific way? Because a greenwashing accusation quickly turns the supposed sales argument into its opposite. We shed light on how national and European regulators have […]

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Thomas Reiner
06. May 2022

EU to ban thousands of chemicals. Is PVC also facing an exodus?

Are thousands of chemicals in Europe soon facing the end? The EU is planning new restrictions that will blacklist a host of potentially harmful substances. Up to 12,000 chemicals, including so-called “forever chemicals” with long degradation times, could fall within the scope of the proposal, which the EU has published in its “roadmap for restrictions.” […]

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Thomas Reiner
19. April 2022

“Unpacked” closes loops: disposable deposit cups made from recycled material at Kaufland

The German supermarket chain Kaufland, part of the Schwarz Group, is expanding its “unpacked” stations at the POS, introduced in 2021, to include deposit cups made of 50 percent recycled material. The disposable containers can be returned to Kaufland by consumers as empties after use and then enter the Schwarz Group’s own recycling cycle. The […]

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Thomas Reiner
06. April 2022

Müller & Waitrose get to grips with color

Blue, green and red are a thing of the past: In collaboration with UK supermarket chain Waitrose & Partners, Alois Müller Dairy, part of German food group Theo Müller, will replace all colored caps on its HDPE milk bottles with clear variants from April 2022. According to the company, the seemingly small innovation will mean […]

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Thomas Reiner
05. April 2022

Plastic waste and circular economy: The United Nations increase the pressure

The United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) decided in early March in Nairobi to set mandatory targets in the fight against plastic waste. According to the roadmap, the legally binding agreement should come into force by the end of 2024 at the latest and cover the full lifecycle of plastic. The move makes it clear that […]

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Thomas Reiner
25. March 2022

Paperization with a new premiere: Mentos Pure Fresh Gum now in paper

A premiere in chewing gum: the Italian-Dutch confectionery group Perfetti Van Melle now offers its Mentos Pore Fresh Gum in a largely recyclable bottle made of 90 percent paper. Used only at Walmart in the U.S. for now, the new packaging stands as further witness to the unbroken momentum in substituting paper for plastic. Although […]

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Thomas Reiner
17. March 2022

U.S. Plastics Pact blacklists 11 materials

The U.S. Plastics Pact is a consortium formed by The Recycling Partnership and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) as part of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s (EMF) global program. In its recently published list of problematic and unnecessary materials, the Pact has now listed 11 products and materials to be phased out by the end of […]

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Thomas Reiner
07. March 2022

100% circular: Henkel offers Pril in refill pouches for pump dispensers

Consumer goods giant Henkel now offers its hand dishwashing liquid Pril in a PET pump dispenser bottle made from 100 percent recycled material. The reusable dispenser can be reused with refill packs made of recyclable mono-PE. The refill concept is not a new invention in itself. But it is taking on a whole new meaning […]

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Thomas Reiner
04. March 2022

It’s going to be expensive: UK Plastic Packaging Tax comes into force this April

On April 1, 2022, the UK will introduce a “Plastic Packaging Tax” (PPT). It will apply to all plastic packaging containing less than 30 percent recyclate and must be paid by manufacturers or importers. The tax of £200 (around €240) per metric tonne isn’t exactly chicken feed. It could increase the price of affected packaging […]

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