Glossary

EPR and sustainability, explained.

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

What are pEPR base fees?

pEPR Base Fees charge producers to cover waste management, encouraging eco-friendly design and recycling. This shifts costs from taxpayers, reduces waste, and supports a circular economy.

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What are PFAS (forever chemicals)?

PFAS are long-lasting chemicals used in many products but harm health and the environment. Reducing use, choosing safer options, and supporting cleanup efforts helps protect people and nature.

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What are photovoltaic panels (WEEE)?

Photovoltaic panels are recycled under the EU WEEE Directive, ensuring producers handle their waste. This recovers valuable materials and reduces environmental harm, supporting sustainability.

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What are place on market entries?

Place on market entries" mark when products enter the European market, ensuring they meet eco-friendly rules that promote safety, recycling, and circular economy goals to reduce waste and protect resources.

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What are planetary boundaries?

Planetary Boundaries are limits that keep Earth’s systems stable. Staying within them helps protect climate, water, biodiversity, and resources for a healthy, sustainable future.

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What are plastic beverage bottles?

I use refillable bottles, rinse and recycle plastic bottles properly, participate in deposit return schemes, and choose products with recycled or minimal plastic packaging to help reduce plastic waste.

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What are plastic carrier bags?

Plastic carrier bags are convenient but harm the environment due to single use and slow breakdown. Using reusable bags and recycling helps reduce waste and protect wildlife. Try one!

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What are plastic drinking cups?

Plastic cups are handy but often end up as waste, harming nature. Using reusable or biodegradable cups and recycling better helps cut pollution and supports a cleaner planet.

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What are plastic stirrers (ban)?

Plastic stirrers are banned in Europe to cut ocean pollution. Businesses now use eco-friendly options like wood or metal, helping reduce plastic waste and protect marine life.

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What are platinum group metals (PGMs)?

Platinum Group Metals help cut vehicle pollution, boost clean energy like fuel cells, and improve tech durability. Recycling them supports a circular economy and protects the environment.

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What are post-consumer textiles?

Post-consumer textiles are used clothes and fabrics that can be recycled or reused, reducing waste and saving resources. Recycling them supports a circular economy and helps protect the environment.

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What are rare earth elements (REE)?

Rare Earth Elements power many green techs like phones and wind turbines. Recycling them supports a circular economy, reducing mining impact and boosting sustainability.

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What are recycled content targets?

Recycled Content Targets set goals for using recycled materials in products, cutting waste and saving resources. They boost recycling markets, cut pollution, and support a circular economy.

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What are refill systems?

Refill systems cut plastic waste by reusing containers, saving resources and energy. They support a circular economy, reduce pollution, and help protect nature—easy steps for a greener future.

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What are remanufactured parts?

Remanufactured parts are old parts cleaned, repaired, and tested to work like new. They save resources, cut waste, lower pollution, and support a circular economy, helping both wallet and planet.

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What are renewable materials?

Renewable materials come from plants or animals that regrow quickly, like wood or cotton. They reduce waste, lower emissions, support recycling, and help protect the environment for the future.

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What are reuse targets?

Reuse targets set goals to use products again, cutting waste and saving resources. Try using refillable bottles, repairing items, or bringing your own bags to start reusing more daily.

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What are SASB standards?

SASB Standards help companies share clear, important sustainability info tied to business success, guiding better decisions and boosting transparency for a greener, fairer future.

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What are science-based targets (SBTi)?

SBTi helps companies set clear, science-backed goals to cut emissions, supporting climate goals and boosting sustainability, innovation, and trust with customers and investors worldwide.

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What are scope 1 emissions?

Scope 1 emissions are direct greenhouse gases from a company’s own fuel use or processes, like burning gas in trucks or machines. Cutting these helps reduce pollution and fight climate change.

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What are scope 2 emissions?

Scope 2 emissions come from the energy a company buys, like electricity. Reducing them by choosing clean energy helps cut pollution and supports a greener, more sustainable future.

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What are scope 3 emissions?

Scope 3 emissions cover all greenhouse gases from a product’s entire life—like raw materials, transport, use, and disposal. Tackling these helps companies reduce their full environmental impact.

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What are secondary critical raw materials?

Secondary critical raw materials come from recycling waste like old electronics, reducing mining, protecting nature, supporting circular economy, and ensuring steady supply of scarce, vital materials.

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What are single-use plastic products?

Single-use plastics harm the environment and wildlife, lasting for centuries. Switching to reusable items and recycling supports a circular economy, reducing waste and protecting our planet.

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