Sol de Janeiro Reduces Plastic Use in Packaging

California did it. Others are following. California’s plastic bag ban showed something important: when regulation is clear and consistent, behaviour does change. Single-use plastic bags were once a default. Now, reusables are the norm across one of the world’s largest economies. What we’re seeing globally — from California to other regions — is a shared direction of travel: away from disposable convenience, and toward more responsible systems. These policies aren’t about making life harder for businesses. They’re about accelerating innovation, reducing waste, and resetting expectations — for operators and consumers alike. The takeaway? This shift isn’t isolated. It’s global. And it’s here to stay.

I came across this article and found it incredibly eye‑opening. It’s a reminder that plastic waste doesn’t just “go away”—it lingers for generations, leaving future communities to deal with the consequences. What stood out to me most is how clearly it illustrates the need to pair proactive action with reactive solutions. We can always respond to problems after they appear, but it’s proactive planning and prevention that move us closer to truly addressing environmental challenges at their root. Article Link: https://lnkd.in/gfb8yshz

I co-authored a report (2025) that looks at beverage container recycling-refund programs (aka "Bottle Bills") which are market-based solutions to decreasing pollution from litter while increasing recycling. In addition, recycling-refund programs are effective at creating jobs for communities AND are useful in reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions by promoting the reuse of plastic, aluminum, and glass. Importantly, recycling-refund programs decrease burdens on local governments and taxpayers who are currently paying to support landfills, and litter abatement efforts. Full report at https://lnkd.in/eA_aTnYg

Here's one library doing their part for the planet and using ocean-bound plastic coverings for their books. Central Hawke’s Bay District Council community and library services manager Bridget Cover says the ocean-bound plastic coverings are made from plastic that was recovered within 50km of the shoreline and recycled into plastic products. She said the coverings increased the life cycles and protected the library books. The majority of their books were pre-covered by @Wheelers. “Last year, Wheelers gave Central Hawke’s Bay District Libraries the option to change from a plant-based book covering to Ocean Bound Plastic.” How many other Aotearoa libraries are taking up this opportunity? Let us know... Read the article here: https://ow.ly/Q9JP50Y7lsq Image credit Central Hawkeys Bay District Libraries Laura Marshall Denise Wilson

📊 New SB 54 Statewide Needs Assessment findings released! CalRecycle has published new components of California's SB 54 Statewide Needs Assessment, including characterizations of packaging materials, methods for determining municipal reimbursement and producer fees, criteria for infrastructure and education investment, details on alternative collection programs, a cap for the packaging stewardship fund, and mechanisms for ongoing assessment and program updates. Key findings reinforce the scale and complexity of the challenge: • An estimated ~2.9 million tons of plastic and 171 billion plastic components were sold or distributed in California in 2023 • Primary packaging drives the majority of plastic use by weight and component count • Gaps remain across collection, processing, end markets, and consumer access—particularly for material recovery and reuse systems 🔜 What’s next: Two additional studies—on needed material design and the needed state of collection, processing, and end markets—are coming. These findings set the factual baseline for SB 54 implementation, informing upcoming rulemaking, producer obligations, infrastructure planning, and investment decisions across California’s packaging system. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gzWhqzPj #SB54 #EPR #PackagingPolicy #CircularEconomy #CalRecycle #SourceReduction #CircleByOPLN

We’ve already achieved 25% of our plastic collection goal for 2026 — that’s 2,630kg of non-recyclable plastic kept out of our oceans.   Together with CleanHub, we’ve committed to collecting 10,000 kg of plastic waste, ensuring that the equivalent amount of plastic from our usage is recovered from the environment.   Dive into the details of our progress here: https://lnkd.in/dEFyQ_zU

We’re incredibly proud here at Veolia | UK to be working alongside The Goodwood Group. Together, we’re showing that meaningful environmental change comes through partnership, creativity and an unwavering commitment to doing better. Such as our recent project to transform tree guards into bird boxes. The planting of 78,000 saplings in 2019 is all part of Goodwood’s wider commitment to protecting the beautiful environment around them. Very proud of our team of volunteers as well, who set out to remove the tree guards from those saplings that had grown straight and strong. It just goes to show that with a little innovation, we can solve the challenges of plastic recycling. Check out the video below to see our team in action and get in touch if you could use some help coming up with creative solutions to your greatest recycling and waste management solutions. #innovation #plasticsolutions #plasticrecycling #regeneratingresources #circulareconomy

The conversation doesn’t end when the webinar does. Last week’s Recycling in America discussion on PET made several things unmistakably clear. The PET bottle recycling system works—and it has delivered real results. But the system is now at a pivotal moment where it must scale, not stall. The data shows reclaimer capacity in North America is declining just as imports are rising. The risks are real—and escalating. If end markets can’t absorb the material, public trust erodes and program and infrastructure costs rise. Thank you to our panelists from Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR), Primo Brands, and County of San Mateo for grounding this conversation in realities from across the PET value chain. The depth of the discussion—and the number of critical questions still on the table—made one thing clear: this conversation isn’t finished. The recording and slide deck are now available, and we’re already exploring how to continue the discussion in a follow-up session. For now, The Partnership will keep convening leaders, elevating system realities, and driving the conversations needed to strengthen U.S. recycling where it matters most. ➡️ Watch the recording: https://lnkd.in/gMMSEMvd ➡️ Access the slide deck: https://lnkd.in/gkBHUjTp #RecyclingInAmerica #PET #PETRecycling #CircularEconomy #EPR #RecyclingInfrastructure

After 40+ years, it’s worth asking: why do we keep doubling down on a system that was never meant to solve the problem? I'll be sharing research on what plastic producers have known for decades about recycling's limitaitons, and why accountability and reduced production are a win for business, communities, the climate, and public health.

♻️ Reducing CO₂, one cloth at a time. By using microfibre cloths made from repurposed PET bottles, we’re not only diverting plastic from landfill, each cloth also helps reduce approximately 7.5kg of CO₂ emissions. It’s one of the many ways we’re embedding more sustainable practices into our everyday operations, supporting cleaner outcomes for our people, partners, and the environment. #ReduceCO2 #SustainabilityInAction #EnvironmentalResponsibility #Hospitality #Housekeeping