Global Scans · Plastics · Weekly Summary

• [New] While recycling plastics, organic waste and aluminum is well-established, the recycling of other material streams is still in their infancy and will gain attention in 2025. ScrapMonster
• [New] The PPWR mandates that plastic packaging must contain a minimum of 10-35% recycled content by 2030 - depending on the type of plastic and its intended use - with higher targets set for 2040. Hub-4.com
• [New] If all retailers meet their sustainability targets, the demand for recycled plastics could reach 90 million tons by 2030, while the global supply may only hit 60 million tons. Meyers
• [New] Advancing circular solutions will require unprecedented alignment of effective policies to affect fiduciary management of plastics on a global scale. Chemical Market Analytics By OPIS, a Dow Jones Company
• [New] In Illinois, SB 2960 requires that hotels should not use single-use plastic bottles, as part of a shift towards sustainability. 23 Legal | Chicagoland Real Estate Law
• Plastic production is only expected to accelerate as consumption and demand increase and by 2040, plastic is expected to be responsible for around 20% of global emissions. InSight+
• Every year, about 430 million tons of plastic products are produced around the world - a figure that could triple by 2060. Church of God News -
• Plastic production and pollution caused by mismanaged waste are projected to increase dramatically by 2030, resulting in over 6.3 billion tonnes of plastic waste being produced (Borrelle et al. 2020). CSIRO Publishing
• Three M Paper Boards Ltd, plans to purchase a Plastic-Fired Low-Pressure Boiler, which will use waste plastic for power generation. ThePrint
• Hyundai sees the potential in converting non-recyclable plastics, offering a dual benefit of addressing plastic pollution while supporting clean fuel production. Hydrogen Fuel News
• California's ban is expected to accelerate global efforts to tackle plastic pollution. The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News |
• Well before the event in November, 2025 will see plenty of opportunities to make important progress on several climate-related issues, from the staggering levels of plastic pollution to financing the shift to a cleaner global economy. UN News
• Manufacturers explore opting into certification programs to help guarantee that their plastic products that meet regulatory standards are not replaced with products that might be manufactured under less rigorous environmental standards. JD Supra
• Recycled plastics are expected to continue to make up just 6% of all plastics produced in 2040, although the range of products recycled is expanding, and includes fabrics such as polar fleece. IER
• Korean citizens are calling for a solution to the serious problems caused by plastic pollution, including health threats. Greenpeace International
• California would do well to remember that solving global problems like plastic waste will require global efforts, efforts that are undermined each time it chooses to single out a company already committed to playing its part. RealClearEnergy
• With the world's annual plastic production at 400 million tonnes and projected to double by 2040, the scale of plastic pollution is staggering. The BMJ
• The CITP paper is concerned that UK exports will be restricted if we do not comply with the EU's packaging and waste, single-use plastic, arsenic levels and geographical indication requirements. The Critic Magazine
• Plastic production is expected to triple by 2026 and experts have predicted plastic in oceans could outweigh fish by 2050. The Patriot Light
• Canada's ambassador for climate change will continue to advocate for international partners to join Canada-led initiatives on phasing out coal; reducing short-lived climate pollutants; finalizing a global treaty to end plastic pollution; protecting more of nature; and other related initiatives. GAC
• Plastic pollution is a serious worldwide threat, jeopardizing human health and livelihoods and causing severe - and often fatal - consequences for wildlife. The Pew Charitable Trusts
• Plastic production is expected to at least double by 2050, while plastic waste in the US has grown continuously since 1960. BBC

Last updated: 27 January 2025