Global Scans · Plastics · Weekly Summary

• [New] Environmental groups have welcomed the reduced use of plastic and paper, aligning with the UK's 2030 sustainability targets. Globe Charter School
• [New] The phase-out of plastic barrier bags in Western Australia will bring noticeable changes to the way loose fruit and vegetables are handled in stores and by customers. Ward Packaging
• [New] With millions of tons of PET produced every year, improving recycling efficiency could significantly reduce plastic pollution and help protect ecosystems worldwide. Futurity
• [New] The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) will launch a new digital platform to help brands and packaging suppliers evaluate the recyclability of entire plastic packages and prepare for policy requirements in the US and abroad. Resource Recycling News
• [New] Plastic waste will triple to more than one billion tonnes annually by 2060. 3D Natives
• As the global plastics consumption is expected to double by 2060 according to the OECD, policy and industry actions are necessary to reduce the negative environmental impacts from plastics, notably from plastic waste. The Joint Research Centre: EU Science Hub
• California's Extended Producer Responsibility law requires a 25% reduction in single-use plastic packaging by 2032, accelerating the move toward paperization. ResourceWise
• Global rules and global coordination will mean all nations working on a level playing field, giving them the ability to rapidly accelerate solutions to the plastic pollution crisis. Packaging Europe
• Without urgent intervention, plastic production could triple by 2050. Greenpeace UK
• India will stick with major investment plans to reduce import dependency on chemicals used in everyday goods, from plastic bags to auto parts. The Pioneer
• A petition submitted by industry-aligned Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) sought to allow compost feedstocks that might include, for example, compostable plastic food containers. Beyond Pesticides Daily News Blog
• BASF will highlight depolymerization of post-consumer shoe waste and the use of mixed plastic waste as feedstock under its ChemCycling program. RECYCLING magazine
• Plastic pollution already poses significant business risks, with corporate liabilities projected to exceed $20 billion by 2030. resource.co
• For the next 117 days, until the end of the year, the world will be in a state of 'plastic overshoot,' where all plastic waste generated is mismanaged and becomes environmental pollution. resource.co
• Globally, if the amount of plastic debris polluting the environment was cut by 90%, it could halve the amount of plastics consumed by people in the most affected countries. BBC
• While global treaties face resistance, local actions and standardized regulations offer hope for curbing plastic consumption and shifting corporate responsibility. The Times Of India
• A once-in-a-generation opportunity to tackle global plastic pollution has been dealt a serious blow. Business for Nature

Last updated: 20 October 2025