What is optical sorting?
Optical sorting uses cameras and sensors to quickly separate recyclables by color, shape, or material, boosting recycling quality and supporting a circular economy by reducing waste and saving resources.
Glossary
EPR and sustainability, explained.
Plain-language definitions for EPR, waste management, and environmental compliance. No jargon, no filler.
What is organic waste?
Organic waste comes from plants and animals and breaks down naturally. Composting or converting it to biogas reduces landfill waste, cuts greenhouse gases, and supports soil and clean energy.
What is orphaned waste (WEEE)?
Orphaned WEEE means discarded electronics not properly recycled, harming the environment and wasting valuable materials. Better collection and recycling help protect nature and support a circular economy.
What is overpackaging?
Overpackaging wastes materials, energy, and increases pollution. It leads to more trash and higher transport emissions. Using less packaging and eco-friendly materials helps reduce waste and protect the planet.
What is overproduction in textiles?
Making too many clothes wastes water, energy, and materials, causing pollution and waste. Buying less, choosing quality, and recycling helps reduce this impact and supports a healthier planet.
What is packaging data reporting?
Packaging Data Reporting tracks packaging types and amounts to reduce waste, boost recycling, and support sustainability. It helps companies improve designs, meet laws, and protect the environment.
What is packaging minimisation?
Packaging minimisation means using only enough material to protect products, cutting waste, saving resources, and making recycling easier—helping both the environment and your wallet.
What is packaging optimisation?
Packaging optimisation means using less, eco-friendly materials to protect products, reduce waste, and boost recycling. It saves resources, cuts emissions, and supports a circular economy.
What is packaging? PPWR definition explained
The PPWR is an EU law aiming for all packaging to be recyclable by 2030, reducing waste by 15% by 2040, promoting reusable options, and cutting harmful substances to boost sustainability and circularity.
What is packaging recovery?
Packaging recovery means collecting and recycling used packaging like bottles and boxes to save resources, reduce waste, and protect the environment through reuse, recycling, and energy recovery.
What is packaging tax?
Packaging taxes charge fees on plastic packaging with low recycled content, pushing businesses to use recyclable or reusable materials, reducing waste and supporting a circular, sustainable economy.
What is packaging waste according to the PPWR definition?
Packaging waste under PPWR means discarded packaging materials. The EU law aims to make all packaging recyclable by 2030, cut single-use plastics, boost reuse, and reduce harmful substances for a greener future.
What is packaging waste prevention?
Prevent packaging waste by choosing products with less or reusable packaging, bringing your own bags, buying in bulk, and supporting brands with eco-friendly designs. Small steps make a big impact!
What is PackUK?
PackUK runs the UK's pEPR scheme, making businesses pay for packaging waste, boosting recycling, cutting emissions, and creating jobs to support a circular, sustainable economy.
What is pallet wrap?
Pallet wrap secures goods on pallets, preventing damage and waste. Using recycled or biodegradable wraps, recycling properly, and applying it efficiently supports sustainability and a circular economy.
What is paper-plastic laminate?
Paper-plastic laminates blend paper’s printability with plastic’s protection but are hard to recycle. New eco-friendly designs and better recycling can make packaging more sustainable.
What is passively fished waste?
Passively fished waste is trash caught unintentionally by fishing gear left in water. Collecting it helps reduce ocean pollution, protect marine life, and supports recycling and sustainable fishing.
What is pay-as-you-throw?
Pay-As-You-Throw makes you pay for the trash you throw, encouraging less waste and more recycling. It’s fair, cuts landfill use, and supports a circular economy by promoting smart, eco-friendly habits.
What is pelletisation?
Pelletisation compresses small waste particles into uniform pellets, easing transport and recycling. It boosts sustainability by turning waste into fuel, fertilizer, or raw materials for a circular economy.
What is pEPR fee modulation?
pEPR Fee Modulation charges plastic producers fees based on product recyclability, encouraging eco-friendly design and recycled materials use to reduce waste and support recycling systems.
What is pEPR (Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility) in the UK?
The UK’s pEPR scheme makes packaging producers pay for waste collection and recycling, encouraging less waste and better packaging to boost recycling and support a circular economy.
What is per capita packaging waste?
Per capita packaging waste shows how much packaging each person throws away yearly. Reducing it saves resources, cuts pollution, and boosts recycling, helping protect our planet.
What is persistent organic pollutants regulation (POPs)?
The POPs Regulation stops harmful chemicals that don’t break down, protecting health and nature. It promotes safe alternatives, cleaner environments, and supports sustainability goals.
What is PET (polyethylene terephthalate)?
PET is a strong, lightweight plastic used in bottles and textiles. It’s recyclable many times, reducing waste and saving resources, making it key for a circular economy and sustainability efforts.