Glossary

EPR and sustainability, explained.

Plain-language definitions for EPR, waste management, and environmental compliance. No jargon, no filler.

What is black mass in battery recycling?

Black mass is a powder from recycled batteries, rich in metals like lithium and cobalt. Recycling it saves resources, cuts pollution, and supports a circular economy for new batteries.

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What is black plastic?

Black plastic hides dirt and looks good but is hard to recycle since machines can’t detect it well. Using recyclable alternatives helps reduce waste and supports a circular economy.

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What is blended fibre in textiles?

Blended fibres mix natural and synthetic fibres for better fabric performance and durability. They save resources but make recycling harder. New recycling methods and smart choices boost sustainability.

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What is blister packaging?

Blister packs protect small items but are hard to recycle due to mixed materials. New designs use recyclable plastics or simpler materials, helping reduce waste and support a circular economy.

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What is blockchain for circularity?

Blockchain helps track materials through a product’s life, ensuring trust, reducing waste, and boosting recycling. It creates digital histories that support smarter, sustainable choices for a circular future.

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What is bottle-to-bottle recycling?

Bottle-to-bottle recycling turns used plastic bottles into new ones, saving energy, cutting waste, reducing pollution, and supporting a circular economy for a cleaner, greener planet.

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What is Bring Bank?

A Bring Bank is a convenient spot to drop off sorted recyclables like paper, plastic, and glass, helping reduce waste, save resources, cut emissions, and support a circular, sustainable future.

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What is bulky waste collection?

Bulky waste collection helps recycle large items like old furniture and appliances, reducing landfill waste and pollution. It supports a cleaner community and a more sustainable, circular economy.

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What is cadmium in batteries?

Cadmium in batteries is toxic and can pollute the environment. Europe recycles NiCd batteries to safely recover cadmium, supporting a circular economy and promoting safer battery alternatives.

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What is carbon neutral?

Carbon neutral means balancing the carbon you emit with actions that remove or reduce the same amount, helping fight climate change and support a healthier, more sustainable future.

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What is carbon offsetting?

Carbon offsetting balances your CO2 by funding projects like tree planting or renewable energy. It helps fight climate change and supports cleaner, healthier communities. Would you try it?

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What is carbon pricing?

Carbon pricing adds a cost to pollution, pushing companies to cut emissions and innovate cleaner options. It funds green projects and helps balance growth with protecting our planet.

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What is carbon sequestration?

Carbon sequestration captures and stores CO2 from the air using nature (like trees and soil) or technology, helping reduce greenhouse gases and fight climate change for a healthier planet.

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What is cascading use in materials?

Cascading use means reusing materials in different ways before disposal, saving resources, reducing waste, and supporting a circular economy for a greener, more sustainable future.

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What is catalytic converter recovery?

Catalytic converter recovery recycles precious metals like platinum, reducing mining harm, saving resources, supporting a circular economy, cutting waste, and helping protect the environment.

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What is cellophane?

Cellophane is a plant-based, biodegradable film that protects food while letting it breathe. It's a greener, renewable alternative to plastic, supporting waste reduction and circular economy goals.

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What is CE marking?

CE Marking shows a product meets EU safety and environmental rules, ensuring it’s safe, eco-friendly, and supports sustainability and circular economy across Europe.

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What is chain of custody?

Chain of Custody tracks a product’s journey to prove it’s sourced sustainably, supporting environmental care, fair business, and trust in recycled or natural materials.

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What is chemical recycling?

Chemical recycling breaks plastic into basic chemicals to make new products, handling mixed or dirty plastics. It supports circularity, reduces fossil fuel use, and cuts plastic pollution.

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What is chemical textile recycling?

Chemical textile recycling breaks down old clothes into pure fibers, enabling high-quality reuse. It cuts waste, saves resources, and supports circular fashion, making clothes eco-friendlier.

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What is circular design?

Circular design creates products that last, can be repaired, reused, or recycled, reducing waste and saving resources. It helps businesses and protects the environment by keeping materials in use longer.

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What is circular economy?

A circular economy keeps resources in use longer by repairing, reusing, and recycling. This reduces waste, saves money, cuts pollution, and supports sustainable, lasting products.

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What is circular economy finance?

Circular Economy Finance funds businesses that reduce waste, reuse materials, and recycle, promoting sustainability. It supports innovations, green jobs, and eco-friendly growth for a healthier planet.

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What is circularity?

Circularity means designing products to be reused, repaired, or recycled, reducing waste and resource use. It helps protect the environment, save materials, and create new economic opportunities.

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