Circular Economy

The report exposes the environmental and health risks linked to the growing use of incinerator bottom ash (IBA) in construction materials. IBA contains hazardous substances, including heavy metals, PFAS, persistent organic pollutants, and microplastics, which can leach into soil and water over time. Promoting IBA as a “circular” material risks spreading pollution, locking Europe into waste incineration, and undermining the transition to a truly non-toxic circular economy.

This study proposes intersectoral collaboration to achieve zero plastic pollution. The authors an intersectoral dialogue amongst scientists, manufacturers, regulators and representatives of civil society about how to alleviate the negative impacts of plastic pollution. Circular economy offers a framework for selecting non-toxic chemicals, extending product (re)use, and waste reduction, which act to alleviate pollution when applied to plastics. 

The development of End-of-Waste criteria can support the EU’s transition to a circular economy. EU EoW policy must be driven by transparency and traceability, clarity and enforceability, and non-toxicity. This will enable genuine circularity, ensure high protection of human health and the environment, and support the EU's leadership in high-quality waste-derived materials.

Chemicals from food packaging can transfer into foodstuffs, a process known as migration. This article explains the concept of migration, outlines global regulations for food packaging, and touches upon challenges related to food packaging in the circular economy.

This policy brief presents highlights from the significant body of science indicating that plastic building materials contribute to serious health and environmental harms over their life cycle, from fossil fuel extraction to production, use, and disposal.

Developed in collaboration with multiple UN convention groups, technical experts, and organizations working to address toxic pollution, this report discusses the key challenges society faces to eliminate toxic components in the plastics life-cycle, identifies chemicals and sectors of greatest concern, and outlines key approaches for tackling the issues. 

The case studies reveal that countries are unable to handle large volumes of diverse plastics waste streams safely, and the reality that, without regulations requiring plastic ingredients to be labeled, countries are blindly allowing known toxic chemicals onto their markets in plastic products.

This website explains reuse and reuse systems, shares success stories and provides resources. It also offers a call to action for individuals and organizations.