Up until recently, not many had even heard about chemical recycling – now everyone is talking about it. This new buzzword has been portrayed as the solution to all our plastic recycling problems, but what does it actually mean?
Top three chemical trends from the EEA’s new report
Top three chemical trends from the EEA’s new report “The message of urgency cannot be overstated.” So reads one of the first sentences in the European Environment Agency’s new report: The European Environment – state and outlook 2020. Just like...
IKEA and H&M join forces to improve recyclability of textiles
IKEA and H&M have joined forces in a large-scale study reviewing chemical content of recyclable fabrics such as shirts, pants and other textiles as a step towards becoming circular.
Everything you need to know about the ChemSec event, November 14
ChemSec invites you to the full-day event “Ready, Set, Substitute It Now!” in Brussels on November 14, 2019.
The winners and losers of the new plastic waste ban
Last month, 187 governments signed off on amendments that will dramatically expand the Basel Convention’s controls on how plastic waste is exported and imported in the world. This new plastic waste ban is a big deal. It will most likely re-shape the world’s waste trade quite a bit.
Circular business models are held back by hazardous chemicals in products and supply chains
PRESS RELEASE: Circular business models are held back by hazardous chemicals in products and supply chains A circular economy represents a golden opportunity to combine corporate sustainability with profits, but it is obstructed by weak chemicals legislations in every part...
Recycling is great – but not always
Circular economy is the new buzzword in the world of sustainability. It has truly become a hot topic – not only among legislators in the European Union, but also among companies that strive to have a progressive sustainability profile. And most importantly, the concept has gained a lot of traction in public opinion. But. Not all recycling, and not all recycled materials, are good.
Circular economy needs trust, transparency and traceability
In order for circular economy to become cost-efficient and economically feasible, the whole value chain will need to invest in smooth collaboration. The key to its success? Trust, transparency and traceability.
Not knowing which hazardous chemicals are in our products is crazy – the new waste database is not
I’d like to argue that a database that can help us understand some of the toxic chemicals we surround ourselves with is pretty solid idea. And imagine the possibilities: What if it wasn’t limited to Candidate List substances, but could also include SIN List chemicals, or better yet, full material declarations? This would seriously incentivize the use of recycled materials as well as increase the value of the industry.
How a hazard-based approach and grouping of chemicals can pave the way for circular economy
Prioritization is a well-used term in chemicals management. It builds on the idea that instead of trying to deal with all hazardous chemicals in products and supply chains at the same time, you should focus on the worst offenders first. The problem is that many professionals connected to chemical regulation focus too much on prioritization. They spend their time forever prioritising instead of keeping their eyes on the ultimate goal, which is of coursing dealing with the hazardous chemicals.