Embracing a Sustainable Future: Challenges in the Plastics Economy The journey towards a more circular, digital, and decarbonized plastics economy is well underway, spurred by increasing government regulations and corporate sustainability initiatives. The shift aims to transform how we produce, use, and recycle plastics, promising a more environmentally friendly future. Despite laudable progress, the road to full implementation remains fraught with challenges. Various regions still face significant hurdles, such as the lack of infrastructure for collection and recycling, and the economic feasibility of new technologies. For many companies, aligning business goals with sustainable practices requires an overhaul of existing systems, which can be both costly and complex. However, the undeniable economic and environmental benefits make this transition not only necessary but also urgent. How can we collectively overcome these barriers to achieve a truly circular plastics economy? Engaging in cross-sector collaborations and investing in innovations that prioritize sustainability can pave the way for lasting change. It's a pivotal time for businesses, governments, and communities worldwide to unite in this endeavor. How do you think businesses can better align their practices to overcome the challenges of the circular plastics economy? #CircularEconomy #Sustainability #PlasticsRevolution #GreenInnovation #EnvironmentalSustainability #EcoFriendlyBusiness

#Plastic #waste are currently flooding everything and everywhere. Reducing virgin plastic production and use, while simultaneously pushing for fully #recycling them, is in our best interest. Inspired by Verra, in the article below mitigia summarized how this might be possible by implementing a transparent #crediting mechanism in cooperation with an underlying #EPR system. This is a real 2 in 1: #verified #climate #action combined with effective measures against #microplastic #pollution. 🚮♻️👣📉🌱

Following this year's World Environment Day focus on plastic pollution, the momentum for change continues to build. But recent data reveals why we can't afford to let this momentum fade—the scale of this crisis demands sustained action from all of us.   The plastic reality check is staggering: while we use single-use plastics for mere minutes, they persist in our environment for centuries. With only 9% actually being recycled and plastic production responsible for emissions equivalent to 600 coal-fired power plants, we're facing a system that's fundamentally broken.   These aren't just statistics—they represent an urgent call for systemic transformation. We've seen how industries can rapidly scale solutions when the urgency is clear. The plastic crisis demands that same urgency and innovation capacity across the entire packaging ecosystem.   With the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations approaching and initiatives like UNEP's Global Plastics Hub creating collaboration platforms, we have an unprecedented window for change. But breakthrough solutions won't emerge from incremental thinking—we need innovations that fundamentally reimagine materials, design, and entire systems.   From bio-based alternatives to circular business models, the question isn't whether we can solve plastic pollution—it's whether we can scale solutions fast enough to match the magnitude of this challenge.   Looking at these sobering statistics, what do you see as the biggest opportunity to accelerate sustainable packaging innovations? Are there emerging solutions or partnerships that give you hope?   #BeatPlasticPollution #CircularEconomy #Sustainability #WasteReduction #MaterialInnovation #GlobalPlasticsTreaty #SustainableDevelopment

Plastic Credits vs Carbon Credits — What’s Driving Real Impact? As sustainability becomes central to business strategy, two types of credits are shaping a new green economy — Plastic Credits and Carbon Credits. Both aim to balance environmental impact, but their approaches differ: ♻️ Plastic Credits focus on removing or recycling plastic waste. Their results are immediate and visible — every credit equals measurable cleanup. They also offer transparent reporting and traceable impact, with emerging frameworks like Verra Plastic Program ensuring credibility. 🌱 Carbon Credits, on the other hand, tackle emissions and climate change. They often fund reforestation, renewable energy, or efficiency projects — essential but sometimes intangible, taking years to show results. While verification systems are well established, they still face risks of over-claiming and greenwashing. In simple terms: ➡️ Plastic credits deliver direct, local action. ➡️ Carbon credits drive global, long-term change. Both matter — one cleans the waste we see, the other protects the atmosphere we share. Together, they redefine what responsible growth looks like. Which one do you think drives more tangible impact today? Alison SanderAndy OjaKathleen TysonAngelito Henry Peralta #Sustainability #CircularEconomy #PlasticCredits #CarbonCredits #ClimateAction #GreenEconomy #ESG #CleanFuture Image credit: Plastic Collective

♻️ How can the transition to a Circular Economy make the plastics sector greener and more competitive in the EU? According to the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, adopting Circular Economy strategies in plastics could bring major environmental and economic benefits by 2050: 🌍 Climate Change Mitigation: 75-84 Mt CO₂-eq. emissions saved each year. ⚡ Reduced Resource Dependency: 3.3% less fossil resource use and 34% lower electricity demand. 💶 Higher Economic Security: €18 billion trade surplus thanks to fewer imports. At LIFE CLOOVER², we are moving in the same direction to contribute to the true circularity of plastics - Drums2drums, Crates2crates. Our project combines reuse and recycling strategies in the agri-food sector, focusing on polyolefins, to promote long-lasting, high-quality plastic applications. Find out more about our work here 👉 www.lifecloover.com

𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗻 🌿 Scientists at the University of Copenhagen (Københavns Universitet) have developed an innovative method to transform plastic waste, particularly PET plastic from bottles and textiles, into a powerful material for capturing CO2, addressing two critical global issues: plastic pollution and climate change. This new material, called BAETA, efficiently absorbs CO2 and can be regenerated through a gentle heating process, making it suitable for industrial-scale carbon capture. By upcycling hard-to-recycle plastic waste into a climate solution, this technology offers a promising path to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while tackling ocean and land pollution. ♻️ The BAETA material features a unique powdery structure that can be pelletized and operates effectively across a wide temperature range (from room temperature to 150°C), making it ideal for capturing CO2 emissions from industrial exhausts. Importantly, this method uses plastic waste that is difficult to recycle due to quality or degradation, thereby complementing existing recycling efforts rather than competing with them. The researchers aim to scale up production and attract investment, emphasizing that the main challenge lies in securing financial and policy support to implement this promising technology that turns environmental problems into economic opportunities. 𝗩𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝗦𝗚𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆: https://lnkd.in/dT_98xeF 𝗦𝘂𝗯𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿: https://lnkd.in/d8S6uckr 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗘𝗦𝗚𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝗫: https://x.com/ESGLibrary #ESG #Sustainability #ClimateChange #CO2Capture #PlasticPollution #CircularEconomy #GreenTechnology #ClimateSolution #Innovation #IndustrialEmissions #CarbonCapture #EnvironmentalImpact #ClimateAction

Plastic began as a beacon of sustainability—a human-made invention designed to protect precious natural resources. In the late 1800s, early plastics like celluloid were celebrated for saving elephants (by replacing ivory) and sparing turtles (by replacing tortoiseshell). The premise was simple: Science can relieve our pressure on the natural world. Yet, the very qualities that made plastic so revolutionary—its versatility, durability, and affordability—fuelled an age of convenience that ultimately outpaced our ability to manage the consequences. Today’s plastic crisis is not just an environmental issue, but a reminder that every solution shapes tomorrow’s landscape. Plastic’s legacy is a story of both hope and warning. While we cannot ignore its massive harms, we also cannot forget that bold ideas—when steered thoughtfully—still have power to create better futures. As we look ahead, perhaps the lesson isn’t to reject innovation, but to match every breakthrough with stewardship, humility, and a willingness to adapt. The best solutions are always evolving. #Sustainability #Plastics #Innovation #CircularEconomy #ThoughtLeadership #LessonsFromHistory #LinkedInReflection

Europe can build a strong industry by stimulating demand for sustainably produced products! New Deloitte research shows that targeted regulation can unlock major sustainability investments in Europe’s heavy industry, at very limited extra cost for consumers. How does it work? Targeted product standards, such as blending requirements for sustainable materials, prove to be a successful formula to trigger sustainable investments. For example: if bottle manufacturers use sustainable plastic, European plastic producers gain the certainty that there will be buyers for their sustainably produced plastic. This is the way to keep our industry in Europe and reduce CO₂ emissions. The price of a bottle of water would rise by only 2 euro cents if the plastic was produced more sustainably. The benefits are enormous: for Europe’s economy, independence, and the climate. 👉 Read the report, commissioned by a broad coalition of sectors: https://lnkd.in/edQmH3Fi #DemandCreation #sustainability #industrialtransformation #energytransition #feedstocktransition #strategicautonomy #chemicals #chemicalindustry #recycling #plastics #emissionreduction #madeineurope

Yesterday the Scottish Government published its draft circular economy strategy. 💚 Overall, the strategy is a welcome step towards a fairer and more sustainable future for all 💚It commits to reducing the amount of resources extracted from nature 💚It puts the needs of communities and workers at the heart of plans for change But there are significant gaps in the strategy as currently drafted. ❌ There is NO mention of plastics, despite growing concern about the plastics crisis ❌It does not address the harmful health impacts of pollution from materials like microplastics, heavy metals and forever chemicals  ❌It does not lay out enough practical solutions - like how to improve access to reuse and repair services to all communities in Scotland Read our full response to the draft strategy: https://lnkd.in/e_4ecQPq

Momentum Builds for Global Plastic Pollution Treaty. The plastic waste crisis is escalating, driven by inconsistent global regulations and rising production. With over 100 countries backing a global treaty for harmonized standards, businesses face critical opportunities to enhance sustainability practices. Key Strategic Points: * 115 nations have banned thin plastic bags, but discrepancies in regulations create challenges. * Plastic production could triple by 2050, emphasizing urgent action for environmentally-friendly alternatives. * The treaty negotiations signal a shift in industry positioning towards proactive solutions and sustainable transformation. PARKINS PLASTIC MACHINERY CO., LTD. is at the forefront of this transition, offering innovative bag-making solutions like NuPlastiQ®, a plant-based biopolymer resin technology compatible with biodegradable materials, supporting diverse sectors from food packaging to agriculture. To learn more, click [Contact Us](https://lnkd.in/gSFdRJYC #PlasticMachinery #GlobalPlasticTreaty #Sustainability #CircularEconomy