Welcome to Higginson Strategy’s weekly round-up of international news relating to plastic pollution.
This week, a new study from the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Protection found plastic fragments now outnumber plankton in the Greek seas. The European Commission published a detailed guidance on calculating litter clean-up costs under the Single-Use Plastics Directive. A review commissioned by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has recommended the UK government introduce measures to reduce the proportion of plastic going to Energy-from-Waste facilities. A new law in Brazil will mandate a reverse logistics system for plastic packaging for plastic packaging from 2026. Finally, the California Department of Justice has settled a three-year investigation into plastic bag manufacturers for false recyclability claims.
Plastic fragments now outnumber plankton in Greek seas, a 15-year pollution record
New research from the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Protection found in every new sample of seawater taken from the Greek seas, the quantity of plastic fibres and fragments approaches or surpasses the number of planktonic organisms in the water.
The findings highlight a 15 year record of plastic pollution regardless of location. In remote parts of the ocean, concentrations of microplastics were found to be as high as those near the Central Aegean. Some plastic samples were confirmed to contain the biocide PCP, a human carcinogen.
Read more here.
EU publishes guidance on calculating single-use plastic litter clean-up costs
The European Commission published a detailed guidance on calculating litter clean-up costs under Single-Use Plastics Directive. The Commission Notice establishes criteria on Member States should calculate and allocate costs for cleaning up litter from eight categories of single-use plastic products, including food containers, beverage containers, cups, wet wipes, cigarette filters, balloons, and lightweight carrier bags.
The guidance comes nine months after the Member State implementation deadline and will address calculation challenges.
Government review calls for a reduction in plastic going to EfW
A review commissioned by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and led by former Labour MP Alan Whitehead has recommended the UK government introduce measures to reduce the proportion of plastic going to Energy-from-Waste facilities by establishing more plastic recycling plants in the UK.
The recommendation comes at a time of instability for the plastic industry in the UK, as domestic plastic recycling plants across the country have closed in recent months, from an inability to complete with foreign plastic.
Read more here.
Brazil mandates reverse logistics system for plastic packaging from 2026
A new Brazilian law will mandate market operator participation in a reverse logistics system for primary, secondary and tertiary plastic packaging from January 2026. The decree will hold manufacturers, distributors, importers, traders and management entities responsible for the collection and recycling of their plastic packaging.
As part of the new scheme, manufacturers must consider the recyclability, durability, and other aspects of the circular economy in their plastic packaging design. Manufacturers will also be held to recycled content targets of 22 per cent by 2026 and 40 per cent by 2040.
Read more here.
California settles lawsuit over false recyclability claims on plastic bags
The California Department of Justice has settled a three-year investigation into plastic bag manufacturers for false recyclability claims and the sale of non-recyclable plastic bags.
The four packaging manufacturers previously sold plastic bags certified to meet recyclability requirements. However, the California DOJ found the plastic bags were not recyclable in any recycling stream. As part of the settlement, the companies have agreed to stop selling plastic bags in California and collectively pay US$1.7 million.
Read more here.