Glossary

EPR and sustainability, explained.

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

What is product lifetime extension?

Product Lifetime Extension means using products longer by repairing, maintaining, upgrading, or sharing them. This reduces waste, saves resources, and helps protect the environment.

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What is product stewardship?

Product stewardship means everyone shares responsibility for a product’s impact—from design to disposal—helping reduce waste, recycle materials, and protect the environment for a sustainable future.

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What is Pro Europe?

PRO Circularity Alliance unites European Producer Responsibility Organisations to improve waste management, share best practices, and advocate for policies supporting recycling and a circular economy.

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What is protective packaging?

Protective packaging keeps products safe and reduces waste. Using eco-friendly, recyclable, or reusable materials supports a circular economy and helps protect the environment.

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What is PVC (polyvinyl chloride)?

PVC is durable and cost-effective but contains chlorine, causing environmental concerns. Recycling and proper disposal support circularity, reducing waste and pollution for a more sustainable future.

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What is pyrolysis?

Pyrolysis heats waste without oxygen, turning it into useful fuels, gases, and char. It cuts landfill waste, lowers emissions, and supports recycling by converting mixed waste into new resources.

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What is pyrometallurgical recycling of batteries?

Pyrometallurgical recycling melts batteries to recover metals like cobalt and nickel. It handles mixed batteries well but uses much energy and loses some materials, aiding circular economy and waste reduction.

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What is raw material recovery?

Raw Material Recovery saves resources by turning waste into reusable materials, cutting pollution, energy use, and mining. Recycling metals, plastics, and paper keeps materials in use longer and supports a greener planet.

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What is REACH regulation?

REACH ensures chemicals in EU products are safe for health and environment by requiring companies to prove safety, restrict harmful substances, and promote safer alternatives for a cleaner, sustainable future.

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What is reconditioning of packaging?

Reconditioning restores used packaging by cleaning and repairing it for reuse, cutting waste, saving resources, and supporting a circular economy with less pollution and lower costs.

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What is recovered paper?

Recovered paper is used paper collected and recycled to make new products. It saves trees, water, energy, reduces waste, supports a circular economy, and helps protect the environment.

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What is recyclability?

Recycling more carefully by sorting waste correctly and choosing products with recyclable packaging can boost recyclability, reduce waste, save resources, and protect the planet.

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What is recyclability at scale?

Recyclability at scale means efficiently recycling large amounts of clean, sorted materials through smart design, strong collection systems, advanced tech, and supportive policies to protect resources and environment.

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What is recyclability performance grade A?

Grade A recyclability means a product is very easy to recycle, helping reduce waste and save resources. Choosing these products supports a circular, sustainable future. Have you tried picking them?

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What is recyclability performance grade B?

Grade B means a product is recyclable but with some challenges like mixed materials or special sorting. It’s a good step toward waste reduction and supports better recycling and sustainability.

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What is recyclability performance grade C?

Grade C means a product is somewhat recyclable but needs extra effort or sorting. It’s less efficient to recycle, so improving design helps reduce waste and supports a circular economy.

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What is RecyClass?

RecyClass helps companies design recyclable plastics, certifies recycling processes, tracks recycled content, and offers training to boost circular economy and sustainability in Europe.

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What is recyclate?

Recyclate is recycled material processed to be reused in making new products. It saves resources, cuts pollution, and supports a circular economy by keeping materials in use longer.

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What is recyclate quality?

Recyclate quality means how clean and pure recycled materials are, affecting their reuse. Better quality saves resources, cuts waste, and supports a healthier planet for all of us.

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What is recycled content verification?

Recycled Content Verification proves how much recycled material a product contains, ensuring honesty, supporting recycling, and helping consumers choose eco-friendly products for a sustainable future.

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What is recycled glass cullet?

Recycled glass cullet is crushed glass reused to make new products, saving energy, reducing raw material use, cutting pollution, and supporting a circular, sustainable economy.

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What is recycled plastic content in vehicles?

Recycled plastic in vehicles reduces waste and emissions by reusing plastics in parts like dashboards and bumpers, supporting a circular economy and making cars greener and more sustainable.

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What is Recycle Now?

Recycle Now helps everyone recycle properly by providing simple tips on sorting and cleaning waste. It promotes reducing waste, saving resources, and supporting a circular economy for a healthier planet.

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