Glossary

EPR and sustainability, explained.

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

What is circular packaging?

Circular packaging is designed to be reused, recycled, or composted, reducing waste and saving resources. It helps protect the environment by keeping materials in use and cutting pollution.

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What is Citeo in France?

Citeo, under France's EPR system, helps businesses recycle and reuse packaging and paper through eco-design, efficient sorting, public awareness, and innovative projects like reusable packaging and closed-loop PET recycling.

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What is clamshell packaging?

Clamshell packaging protects products and shows them clearly. Using recycled or compostable materials and recycling properly helps reduce waste and supports a circular, greener economy.

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What is climate change?

Climate change means rising temperatures caused by greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels. It harms ecosystems, health, and sea levels. Using cleaner energy, saving energy, and reducing waste helps slow it down.

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What is climate impact?

Climate impact means how human actions, like burning fuels and waste, increase greenhouse gases, causing warming, extreme weather, and ecosystem changes. Recycling and circular practices help reduce this impact.

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What is climate neutrality?

Climate neutrality means balancing greenhouse gas emissions with actions that reduce or absorb them, helping stop climate change. Everyone can help by reducing waste, using clean energy, and supporting nature.

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What is climate positive?

Climate positive means removing more carbon than we emit, helping the planet by cutting emissions, using renewables, planting trees, and supporting circular economy principles.

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What is clinical waste (medical waste)?

Clinical waste from healthcare is carefully managed to prevent harm and pollution. Europe uses safe disposal, waste reduction, and recycling to protect health and the environment. Color-coded bins help!

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What is closed-loop recycling?

Closed-loop recycling reuses materials repeatedly without quality loss, saving resources and cutting waste. It supports a circular economy by turning old items into new, like aluminum cans remade into cans.

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What is clothing donation?

Donating clothes gives them new life, reduces waste, saves resources, and helps those in need. It’s a simple way to support sustainability and the circular economy. Have you tried it?

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What is clothing reuse?

Try shopping at thrift stores, swapping clothes with friends, or donating items you no longer wear. Fixing or upcycling old clothes also gives them new life and helps the planet.

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What is CO2 (carbon dioxide)?

CO2 is a natural gas vital for life but causes warming when excessive. You can lower your carbon footprint by saving energy, recycling, driving less, and choosing sustainable products.

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What is CO2 equivalent (CO2e)?

CO2e shows the total climate impact of all greenhouse gases in one number, helping us see and reduce our carbon footprint through better choices and actions.

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What is coated paperboard?

Coated paperboard is thick paper with a smooth, protective coating used in packaging. It looks great, protects products, but can be harder to recycle. Sustainable coatings and recycled fiber help boost circularity.

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What is cobalt in batteries?

Cobalt boosts battery life and safety but raises ethical and environmental concerns. Recycling and responsible sourcing help reduce impact, making tech greener and fairer for people and the planet.

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What is collection rate?

Collection rate shows the percentage of waste collected for recycling. Higher rates mean less pollution, more resource reuse, and progress toward a circular economy. Easy recycling boosts these rates.

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What is collective producer responsibility?

Collective Producer Responsibility means producers work together to manage product waste, boosting recycling, cutting pollution, and encouraging eco-friendly product design for a cleaner future.

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What is colour sorting compatibility?

Colour Sorting Compatibility means designing materials with clear, distinct colors so recycling machines can easily separate them, improving recycled product quality and supporting waste reduction.

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What is COMIECO in Italy (paper)?

Comieco drives Italy’s paper recycling by managing collection, processing, and public education, boosting circular economy efforts and achieving over 80% recycling rates to conserve resources and cut waste.

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What is commercial waste?

Commercial waste comes from businesses and includes paper, plastics, food scraps, and hazardous items. Proper recycling and reduction help save resources, cut pollution, and support a circular economy.

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What is commercial waste collection?

Commercial waste collection helps businesses manage and recycle waste safely, keeps workplaces clean, handles hazardous materials properly, and supports laws to protect the environment.

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What is commercial waste compensation?

Commercial Waste Compensation rewards businesses for recycling and proper waste management, making it affordable and promoting a circular economy that reduces pollution and saves resources.

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What is compliance reporting?

Compliance reporting lets companies prove they follow environmental laws by sharing data on waste, emissions, and resource use. It boosts transparency, supports recycling, and helps protect the planet.

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What is composite packaging?

Composite packaging blends materials for strong, light protection but is hard to recycle. Innovations and circular economy efforts aim to boost recyclability and cut waste for a greener future.

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