Happy New Year 🥳 And happy new Rethink #Plastic newsletter! With the start of the new year we are launching our #newsletter - the place to stay up to date on everything EU plastics policy! #EUpolicy ⬇️ Subscribe to the newsletter here ⬇️ rethinkplasticalliance.eu/newsletter/

🚨 EU Commission weakens another set of laws amid maladministration red flags Once again, @ec.europa.eu is bending their own procedures to chip away at crucial EU laws that protect our health, ecosystems and long-term prosperity. Who are they actually doing this for?

We're concerned about talks to reopen the #PPWR as part of the upcoming Environmental Simplification Package. A @reloop.bsky.social-led joint call of 112 signatories, incl/ ZWE, urged @ec.europa.eu to maintain the stability needed to achieve a circular economy. Full joint call 👉 zurl.co/Pbpvo

⚠️𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗘𝗨 𝗕𝗶𝗼𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆 𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲’𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘀 Today @ec.europa.eu released its updated Bioeconomy Strategy — but it lacks the ambition needed to align Europe’s resource use with the ecological limits of our planet. Our reaction: eeb.org/commissions-...

Press release 📢 The EU's revised Bioeconomy Strategy hides old mistakes in new branding Full reaction here 👇 ecostandard.org/news_events/...

We are deeply concerned by the potential reopening of the #PPWR as part of the upcoming Omnibus. That's why we signed a joint call to @steph-sejourne.bsky.social and @jessikaroswall.ec.europa.eu to protect the integrity of the PPWR! The joint statement 👇 rethinkplasticalliance.eu/news/rethink...

Reduce, reuse, recycle - all of these core tenets must be part of the EU's Circular Economy Act! We submitted our feedback to @ec.europa.eu's upcoming proposal for a Circular Economy Act 👇 rethinkplasticalliance.eu/wp-content/u...

Let's talk about solutions 🤩 REGISTER NOW for the 10th European #REUSE Conference to discuss how to successfully build & expand reuse systems within the framework of the #PPWR 📆 November 6th, 9:30 - 4:00 📍Rue d'Egmont 11, BXL or Zoom Register here 👇 www.duh.de/informieren/...

🪓 “Simplification” is bad for business It’s been a busy but important week in Brussels. EU leaders kicked the climate can down the road, the Commission unveiled its 2026 work plan, and Parliament voted on key files — including some notable wins for people and planet.

🌍 The transition to zero waste is already underway. 🚨BUT Europe's material footprint and the world's global resource extraction remain dangerously high. 💪It’s time to move beyond "sustainability-as-usual" and embrace genuine transformation NOW. Read the full blog post below 👇

Let's talk about solutions 🤩 REGISTER NOW for the 10th European #REUSE Conference to discuss how to successfully build & expand reuse systems within the framework of the #PPWR 📆 November 6th, 9:30 - 4:00 📍Rue d'Egmont 11, BXL or Zoom Register here 👇 www.duh.de/informieren/...

🥳 BIG WIN AGAINST PLASTIC PELLET POLLUTION 🥳 Yesterday, @europarl.europa.eu formally approved the pellets regulation! This comes after many years of advocacy by RPA &our members @eia-news.bsky.social, @seasatrisk.bsky.social & @surfridereurope.bsky.social rethinkplasticalliance.eu/news/plastic...

After more than a decade of advocacy, today marks a major milestone in the fight against plastic pellet pollution! 🌊 The European Parliament has officially approved the Regulation on preventing pellet losses to reduce microplastic pollution. A long-awaited step towards a zero pellet loss in Europe.

🏙️ 36 cities & reuse businesses call for a fairer, prevention-first EPR reform! Current systems reward waste over reuse. It’s time to fund prevention & circularity. ♻️ Check the campaign👉 zurl.co/WosTS #EPRreform #BreaktheSingleUseBias

“We want a sustainable and low-impact fisheries sector, but one that’s economically viable without public support. For this we really need a #JustTransition.” Our Executive Director Monica Verbeek calls for better use of EU funds during our #EUOceanWeek event on the EU's multi-annual budget. 💶 #MFF

Berlin is making reuse as easy as returning a bottle, thanks to @umwelthilfe.bsky.social and the RSVP project🔄 Grab your coffee in a reusable cup from a burger chain. Drop it at your supermarket's bottle return machine while grocery shopping. Done. ✅ Read all about it on our latest blog post 👇

New report by #FairFin exposes the hidden costs of Flanders’ #petrochemical sector. In 2024, 29 Flemish petrochemical plants emitted as much CO₂ as over 500,000 Flemish citizens. Yet they received EU carbon allowances, effectively getting paid to pollute.

🤒 EUROPE IS MISDIAGNOSED Blood tests found PFAS in every EU leader tested, proof that pollution runs through Europe’s veins. As calls grow for a full ban on “forever chemicals,” Brussels offers the wrong cure: weaker protections disguised as “simplification.”

The UK Government’s long-overdue introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for plastic packaging came into effect today (1 October). Find out more about the EPR scheme at https://loom.ly/PRFNqRs #plastics #pollution #oceans #climate #UK

💥Our message is loud, clear, and rolling: STOP THE OMNIBUS. 🚍 We are making our tour around the EU institutions to make sure lawmakers can’t look away. We want clean air, safe water, and a future for all. Follow us 👉 handsoffnature.eu/the-campaign/ #HandsOffNature

📆 Today's the day! You still have time if you haven't registered for our ''Better than burning: stories from communities fighting incineration'' webinar. ZW Latvija's Maija Krastina will moderate the chat on the dangers of waste incineration. Register now at zurl.co/bJpqd See you there soon 👍

🚯 How can the EU Circular Economy Act unlock EPR’s potential? Join our webinar 7 Oct, 10:30 CEST to explore how to transform EPR into a fairer, more circular tool that supports reuse, repair, and prevention. Register now!👉 zurl.co/P1GFd #EPRRreform #BreaktheSingleUseBias

🔥 🏭 Waste-to-energy is a FALSE solution to plastic pollution. The REAL solution? CUT plastic production and scale up REUSE systems. Learn more about reuse: https://www.breakfreefromplastic.org/reuse-solutions/ #BreakFreeFromPlastic #WasteToEnergy #Incineration

NEW: 156 organisations call for EU-wide ban on new waste incineration. Why? 🔥 EU already has 60M tonne overcapacity crisis. 🌍 Higher carbon emissions than many energy sources. ♻️ Blocks circular economy progress. ☠️ Toxic chemicals found in nearby communities. Joint letter: www.betterthanburning.eu

Citizens across Europe are making their voices heard: ‘ We say NO to waste incineration’. Join the ‘’Better than burning: stories from communities fighting incineration’’ webinar and hear from activists like @gaiazerowaste.bsky.social Brex Arevalo. Register now: zurl.co/U4F5P

We've received overwhelming demand for our webinar on #packaging #standards We've now made more spaces available - register today! Join experts from @ecos.ngo, @foodpackagingforum.org, The Global Alliance to Advance Reuse (PR3), and New Reuse Alliance ecostandard.org/news_events/... #PPWR #reuse

Attention all European companies working w/ reusable packaging! Fill the 2025 survey for the European Reuse Barometer to: - Be featured in the report. - Contribute to the reuse industry's growth/visibility. - Show reuse works environmentally & economically.

🚨 Court action🚨 We’ve filed a case against Nestlé Poland for misleading recycling claims on plastic water bottles. Claims on bottles from one of its water brands including ‘I am recyclable’ and 'I am made from another bottle’ falsely portray plastic as circular & fully recyclable ⬇️

#Recycling claims can make plastic bottles seem harmless to the #environment but only 9% of ALL #plastic ever made globally has been recycled. ♻️ Green claims such as ‘100% recyclable’ are: ✖️ Misleading consumers ✖️ Delaying us from making true progress against plastic #pollution

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐎𝐦𝐧𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐬 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐔'𝐬 𝐞𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐛𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬! We submitted our feedback to @ec.europa.eu’s initiative to simplify & streamline administrative requirements of environmental laws 1/4 Read: rethinkplasticalliance.eu/wp-content/u...

🚨Last chance to register! Conference - Addressing the Staggering Costs of #PFAS Pollution 2 expert panels will focus on: 💶 Economic and societal costs of PFAS pollution 🛠️ Solutions and tools to address PFAS pollution Full agenda & registration link eeb.org/addressing-s...

🚨 NEW REPORT ALERT 🛒🍎 New report audits supermarkets around the world on their plastic related business practices. #SupermarketAudit’s key findings 🧐👇 (1/4) 🧵

“Plastic pellets are a Trojan horse for toxic pollution,” warns CIEL’s @andresdelcas.bsky.social UN #HRC60. Every year, ~445,970 tonnes - equal to 29 BILLION plastic bottles - spill into our environment. Yet they’re NOT classified as hazardous under maritime law. #PlasticPollution

It's coming!! The #BackToTheFuture march 🥾💪 Let’s get together to demand - Accountability for human rights violations and pollution - Protection for communities from corporate harm We're ready to pound the pavement, fly our flags and sing out loud. Will you come along? backtothefuturemarch.org

💻 Join us on 2 October to learn more about the standardisation process and hear from #experts about best practices and recent developments as we discuss solutions for #packaging minimisation, #refill, and #reuse. #PPWR ecostandard.org/news_events/...

🚨 Today’s speech was not a State of the Union – it was a state of delusion about the triple climate, nature and pollution crises and the solutions Europe urgently needs. #SOTEU #EUGreenDeal

Communities across Europe keep showing us waste incinerators are neither wanted nor needed 👎 Join the ''Better than burning: stories from the ground'' webinar to hear stories of local resistance to waste incineration and appeals to local authorities to invest in circular solutions.

From #PlasticsTreaty to Commission consultations - this summer was eventful for plastics policy. Our blog will catch you up 😎 1️⃣ #PlasticsTreaty talks collapsed, but all hope is not lost 2️⃣ Commission proposal promotes problematic #ChemicalRecycling READ 👇 rethinkplasticalliance.eu/news/here-is...

📺 Why #recycling alone won’t solve the EU’s #plastic struggle 🗣️ “You don’t change this with recycling targets, you change this with rules on plastic #design” 🔗 europeannewsroom.com/why-recyclin...

🙅‍♀️ SORRY TRUMP, NO DEAL We’re back from summer with a new season and a new name! The Meta newsletter has officially turned a New Leaf: same trusted take on Europe’s environmental policy, now with a fresh look

Plastics Treaty — What happened? What's next? Negotiations collapsed in Geneva. Disappointing, yes. Defeat? Certainly not. 📽️ Watch: What happened, what's next — and why we still have hope! #PlasticsTreaty #INC52 youtu.be/-HgqLVANa78

Are plastic tumors bad for you? Asking for a friend. 🌊🤝 Join Surfrider today to become a #FriendOfTheOcean and advocate for policies to protect our ocean, waves, and beaches from plastic pollution. www.surfrider.org/the-ocean-ne... #TheOceanNeedsMoreFriends

After years of grassroots effort, Spain will introduce a Deposit Return System for cans, bottles & cartons in Nov 2026 🎉 A win for #LeydeResiduosYA, but gov’t must ensure access for all, meet deadlines & add the inclusion of glass! Full story 👉 zurl.co/qgGxW

You've read the headlines, now hear the hot takes from our team on the ground at #PlasticsTreaty negotiations. What went wrong, what’s at stake, and why the fight for an ambitious treaty is far from over. 👉 bit.ly/4fWv67q

Joan Marc Simon started talking about #zerowaste before it became a hashtag, back when EU bureaucrats and "waste experts" saw it as a hippie fad ☮️ Well, JM's still here, and so is zero waste, with more people than ever working to build a Europe based on its vision. Learn more: zurl.co/vgZTu

Global Plastics Treaty Reflections: No Treaty Is Better Than a Weak One🌎 Surfrider fought for a strong treaty to cap plastic production, phase out harmful chemicals, and address the entire lifecycle of plastics at the United Nations in Geneva for INC 5.2. Read more: www.surfrider.org/news/global-...

In 2024, Estonia has: 🍽️ Mandated the use of reusable cutlery and crockery in public events. 🌟 Turned Tallinn into a Zero Waste Candidate city. 🎓 Hosted capacity-building, community, and knowledge-sharing projects across the country. The State of Zero Waste Municipalities: zurl.co/bWhkk

We responded to @ec.europa.eu's consultation on new rules for chemically-recycled content in plastic bottles. Our main asks: ✅ Keep consistency with EU legislative framework (incl. definition of #recycling, principle of effectiveness) (1/2) Read ⤵️ rethinkplasticalliance.eu/wp-content/u...

🚫 No agreement on the Plastics Treaty in Geneva Better no treaty than a watered-down one! After 10 days of negotiations, States failed to adopt an agreement capable of ending the global plastic crisis.