The General Election is around the corner and each party's manifesto has its own take on sustainability - but plastics do not seem to be at the forefront, say University of Birmingham academics

The European Union is at the forefront of global efforts to tackle climate change, including dealing with plastic pollution. In recent years, EU institutions have taken important legislative steps to tackle this issue and advance plastic circularity in the region, leading to the signing of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) this year.

Yearly average Europe recycled high density polyethylene (R-HDPE) pipe-grade black pellet prices in 2024 to date are at their lowest level since 2020, says ICIS senior editor, recycling, Mark Victory

With the Plastics Recycling Show Europe coming up in just two more weeks in the RAI in Amsterdam, the focus of this issue of Sustainable Plastics is, unsurprisingly, recycling. Mass balance, demand management of recyclate use and an in-depth look at the ramifications of the Plastics Packaging Waste Regulation are among the topics discussed.

The postponement of Italy’s plastic packaging tax to July 2026 shows that, for many brands and fast-moving consumer goods companies (FMCGs), the threat of financial penalties or the push of regulatory obligation is still the main driver for increasing the use of recycled plastics in packaging.

There’s a preconception that all-electric injection moulding systems are more expensive to repair. Ashlee Gough, Area Sales Manager at Sumitomo (SHI) Demag UK delves into and discredits the top five myths regularly encountered. 

Polymeric additives boost plastic processing and recycling processes

2024 was supposed to be a year of recovery after a horrendous 2022 and 2023, but already the European recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) market faces yet more uncertainty and tough decisions after years of unforeseen shocks and challenges. 

In today's world, heightened awareness of traditional materials on the environment has brought society to a critical juncture. The time has come for a transition: From the "Old World" of fossil-based, polluting materials (PCRs) to the "New World" of sustainable alternatives.

A recent report that appeared under the title ‘Bioplastics Are Trash: the unforeseen environmental consequences of PLA from production to disposal’ and that was compiled by the North American branch of the international consultancy firm Eunomia, purported to explore the sustainability of one of the more commonly used bio-based plastics today: PLA.