Position Papers
Coalition letter in support of PPWR
Reloop pulled together a coalition in EU which supports the overall direction and ambition of the Commission´s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation proposal. We rely on the ordinary legislative process—a democratic process—and urge the European Commission to submit its proposal to the Council and the European Parliament on 30 November as planned so that the ordinary legislative process can begin.
Target 90: An unprecedented coalition of businesses across the EU calls for an ambitious approach to beverage packaging.
Our dual proposal: 90% separate collection target + DRS offers a proven solution which is good for the economy, jobs and Europe's resilience when it comes to securing resources and saving energy. This is an opportunity to significantly reduce the demand for virgin resources in a meaningful way.
Calculating National Recycling Rates
March 2021 - Together with the Container Recycling Institute, Natural Resources Council of Maine, and the Conservation Law Foundation, Reloop has prepared a joint letter to the U.S. EPA with comments about the methodology it uses to calculate national recycling rates, and how this methodology might be improved. Available in English.
Position Paper on draft Implementing Decision laying down rules for the application of Directive (EU) 2019/904
June 2021 - We, the undersigned stakeholders comprising NGOs, industry and civil society, welcome the development of the draft Implementing Decision in order to ensure correct implementation of Article 9 of the SUPD. However, we call on the European Commission and national authorities to provide more clarification of certain provisions of the draft Decision which, in their current format, would significantly undermine the intent of the Directive. This position paper lays out our recommendations for the Commission.
Reusable Packaging and COVID-19
June 2020 - Together with Zero Waste Europe, Reloop analyses the situation of reuse and refill systems in light of COVID-19. While industry pushes for single use, there is no evidence that single-use packaging contributes to the spread of the virus any less or more than reusables. Available in English and Swedish.
The Single Use Plastics Directive: Is it in Jeopardy?
May 2020 - Together with 16 industry organizations and environmental NGOs, Reloop co-signed a joint position paper on the European Commission's Single Use Plastics Directive. The intent of the paper was to highlight the various material substitution loopholes that exist within the Directive and how this could lead to inconsistent and chaotic implementation by Member States depending on how the definition of 'plastic' is interpreted. The position paper calls for Member States to base any exemptions on a number of practical guidelines. Available in English.
Interpretation of Separate Collection Targets for Single-Use Plastic Beverage Bottles, as per Article 9 of the SUPD
March 2020 - In this position paper, Reloop aims to contribute to the European Commission’s ongoing discussions around the implementing act laying down the methodology for the calculation and verification of the separate collection targets laid down in Article 9 of EU Directive 2019/904 on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment (commonly known as the Single-Use Plastics Directive or SUPD). Available in English.
Material Substitution within the SUPD
January 2020 - Together with Zero Waste Europe, Reloop released a policy briefing to contribute to the findings from Eunomia Research & Consulting's study, which we believe are crucial for establishing a Single Use Plastics Directive that will help achieve a real circular economy for single-use plastics and reduce their impact on the environment. Available in English.
Implementation of the SUPD (EU) 2019/04: Phase 1
October 2019 - Over the next several months, the European Commission will be tasked with developing a series of implementing acts relating to the various obligations set out in the SUPD. In this paper, Reloop provides comments on part 1 of this consultation. Available in English.
Submission to the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into Waste and Recycling
May 2019 - We had the opportunity to comment on the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into Waste & Recycling. Our submission examines some of the problems with Victoria's current approach to waste management, and identifies recommendations to reduce waste generation and better manage all waste, including the introduction of a well-designed container deposit scheme. Available in English.
South Australia's Single Use Plastics & Container Deposit Scheme - Response
February 2019 - Together with the Australian Council of Recycling (ACOR), Reloop Pacific released this position paper outlining its views on managing single-use plastics in South Australia and offering recommendations for reform of the state's container deposit scheme (CDS). Available in English.
Position Paper on the Proposal for a Directive on the Reduction of the Impact of Certain Plastic Products on the Environment
November 2018 - The SUPD is a historic opportunity for the EU to show its global leadership in addressing one of the biggest challenges of today - the plastic and marine litter problem. With this paper, Reloop aims to contribute to the trialogue discussions by highlighting some of the key issues that we believe are crucial for establishing an ambitious new directive, namely: recycled-content mandates, 90% collection and recycling target for beverage bottles by 2025, expanded list of banned products, end-of-list costs under EPR, and EPR for fishing gear. Available in English.
Position Paper on the EC's Proposal for a Directive on the Reduction of the Impact of Certain Plastic Products on the Environment
July 2018 - This position paper aims to contribute to the European Parliament and Council discussions on the legislative proposal in order to develop an ambitious new directive that will help achieve a real circular economy of single-use plastics and reduce its negative impacts on the environment. Specifically, we offer recommendations on the following: recycled-content mandates, high targets for collection and recycling of beverage bottles, and promotion of deposit return schemes as a key measure to encourage waste prevention and reuse. Available in English.
Closing the Circular Economy Loop: A Call for EU Action on Recycled Content Mandates for Plastics
July 2018 - This position paper, endorsed by over 30 organisations and companies, outlines Reloop's position on recycled content for plastics and offers specific recommendations for EU policy-makers to increase the utilization of recycled materials in plastic products and packaging. Available in English.
Position Paper on the European Commission's Strategy on Plastics
March 2018 - This position paper aims to contribute to the European Parliament and Council discussions on the Plastics Strategy, which was adopted on 16 January 2018, in order to develop an ambitious Strategy that will help achieve a real circular economy of plastics and reduce its negative impacts on the environment. Available in English.
Position Paper on the Upcoming European Commission's Strategy on Plastics
January 2018 - Reloop welcomes the European Commission’s announcement to publish a Strategy on Plastics in early 2018. This position paper aims to provide guidance and support on the development of an ambitious Plastics Strategy in order to help achieve a real circular economy of plastics and reduce its negative impacts on the environment. Available in English.
Position Paper on the European Commission's Legislative Proposals on Waste under the Circular Economy Package
February 2016 - Reloop sees a need for certain elements of the Circular Economy Package (CEP) to be clarified and strengthened in order for the circular economy to become a reality. This position paper summarizes our views on several critical elements of the legislative proposals of the CEP as well as the EU Action Plan for the Circular Economy, each of which are priority areas of concern for Reloop. Available in English.
Walking the Circle: The 4 Guiding Pillars for a Circular Economy
June 2015 - This joint paper, co-signed by Reloop along with 11 other NGOs, highlights four key areas that the undersigned believe must be addressed by the EU institutions to ensure a fully functioning circular economy, and some of the often overlooked benefits that can result. Available in English.
Top 10 Priorities for Circular Economy Package
June 2015 - This position paper, prepared by Reloop, provides a series of specific recommendations as input into the ongoing discussions on the development of the European Commission's new Circular Economy Package. Available in English.
Reports
Global Deposit Book 2020: An Overview of Deposit Systems for One-Way Beverage Containers
December 2020 - The Global Deposit Book 2020 offers a comprehensive summary of over 40 deposit return systems in place around the world, including those in Europe, Australia, Canada, the United States, Israel, and Oceania/Caribbean. Available in English.
Reusable vs Single-Use Packaging: An Overview of Environmental Impacts
December 2020 - Together with the University of Utrecht and Zero Waste Europe we released a report highlighting that reusable packaging – such as bottles, crates, jars, and others – produces far fewer carbon emissions than their single-use counterparts. Available in English.
Getting the Numbers Right: A Discussion Paper on Calculating and Reporting Separate Collection of Plastic Beverage Bottles
February 2020 - Together with Eunomia Research and Consulting, Reloop released this report, which focuses on the development of methods for demonstrating achievement of the separate collection targets for beverage bottles in Article 9 of the Single Use Plastics Directive. The research highlights the legal and calculation issues surrounding the separate collection targets, and provides the European Commission with clear recommendations for the development of methods for demonstrating achievement of the targets. Available in English.
What is Plastic? A Study Exploring the Potential for Certain Materials to be Exempted from the SUPD, with Particular Focus on Man-Made Cellulosic Fibres
January 2020 - This report, authored by Eunomia Research & Consulting and published by Reloop, examines the scope for two polymers, lyocell and viscose, to be included under the Single Use Plastics Directive, investigating both their chemical makeup and their impact on the natural environment. The report also makes a series of recommendations for consideration prior to the implementation of the SUPD by Member States to close the loopholes identified. Available in English.
Impact of Deposit Return System on French Municipalities in Meeting EU Packaging Recycling Targets
November 2019 - The European Commission’s Circular Economy Package and Plastic Strategy has driven increases in recycling targets for packaging under the PPWD, as well specific requirements for PET bottles under the SUPD. France is exploring ways of reaching these targets, one of which is a DRS on beverage containers. This report, authored by Eunomia and published by Reloop, calculates the additional tonnage that France will be able to collect through a DRS by 2029 and compares the cost of this program to door-to-door household packaging collection alone. Available in English.
Etude de l'impact d'une mise en place de la consigne pour recyclage sur les centres de tri existants en France et adaptés à la collecte sélective de tous les emballages
November 2019 - This report, prepared for Reloop by Amalur, examines the impact on existing sorting facilities of setting up a deposit return system for packaging. Available in French.
The Environmental and Economic Costs of Single-Use Menstrual Products, Baby Nappies, and Wet Wipes
November 2019 - This new report by Reloop, ReZero, Zero Waste Europe, and Break Free From Plastic details the environmental and economic impacts of single-use menstrual products, baby nappies, and wet wipes across the EU-28. Available in English and French.
A DRS for Turkey
October 2019 - Reloop, in association with ISBAK, commissioned Eunomia Research & Consulting to carry out a study to design a DRS for Turkey based on existing best-in-class DRSs in place around the world. In addition to the technical design of the system, Eunomia modelled the indicative annual costs and benefits that the proposed DRS would bring. The report also outlines the value assigned to the resulting decrease in GHG emissions and air pollutants, as well as estimating the value of litter disamenity. Available in English.
Mémoire de Mme Clarissa Morawski: Mandat d’initiative – Les enjeux de recyclage et de valorisation locale du verre
August 2019 - In April 2019, Quebec's Commission des transports et de l'environnement launched an initiative to tackle the issues of recycling and local recovery of glass. This document outlines our position on this major issue. Available in French.
Single Use Plastics Directive: Backgrounder
June 2019 - On June 12, 2019, the Single-Use Plastics Directive on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment was published in the European Union’s Official Journal, marking the final step of the legislative procedure. Reloop has prepared this short backgrounder to explain what the Directive entails. Available in English.
Better Together: How a Deposit Return System Will Complement Ontario's Blue Box Program and Enhance the Circular Economy
June 2019 - A new report by Reloop, produced in partnership with Eunomia Research & Consulting, outlines how the introduction of a deposit return system (DRS) would increase recycling rates and reduce litter in Ontario, Canada. The report also identifies how harmonization with Ontario’s current Blue Box program and DRS on alcohol beverages, would provide benefits to the system as a whole. The study examines the costs of the proposed program, as well as detailing the environmental, social and economic benefits that would be delivered. Available in English.
Deposit Systems for One-Way Beverage Containers: Global Overview (2018)
April 2018 - This report was prepared by CM Consulting in association with Reloop Platform, and is intended to provide a comprehensive summary of 39 different deposit-return systems for one-way beverage containers in existence around the world. Available in English and Turkish.
Rethinking Economic Incentives for Separate Collection
July 2017 - A study produced by Rezero for Zero Waste Europe and Reloop Platform looking at how the circular economy can be taken to the next level through the extended use of existing economic measures. Available in English.
Deposit Systems for One-Way Beverage Containers: Global Overview (2016)
September 2016 - This report was prepared by CM Consulting in association with Reloop, and is intended to provide a comprehensive summary of 38 different deposit-return systems for one-way beverage containers in existence around the world. Available in English, French, and Mandarin.
Making the Switch: The Business Case for Reusable Packaging
2015 - This document by Reloop summarizes the key findings of several case studies that illustrate how switching from single-use to reusable transport packaging is beneficial not only for the environment, but for companies' bottom lines. Available in English.
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