​Latvia has amended its Natural Resource Tax by establishing a tax on plastics that are typically not recycled in Latvia. Starting from 1st October 2024, any taxable person responsible for packaging made entirely or partially of non-recyclable plastic (polymeric) materials will be subject to this tax. The tax was introduced in response to the European Uni...

​The How2Recycle (H2R) label, launched in 2012, is a voluntary labelling program designed to make recycling guidance simple and consistent across brands, helping consumers make informed choices. As recycling regulations and consumer expectations evolve, H2R recently introduced two new label types—How2Recycle Pro and How2Recycle Plus—to offer even clearer,...

​Whilst Canada is renowned for its Rocky Mountains, poutine, and grizzly bears, it has also gained international recognition for its commitment to product stewardship and extended producer responsibility (EPR). Every two years, people gather at the Canadian Stewardship Conference to explore the latest in stewardship and EPR practices in Canada.This year, ...

​The Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024 (SB 707) is California's latest effort to tackle the increasing problem of textile waste. The act establishes a framework to manage the lifecycle of textiles, encouraging recycling, repair, and reuse to prevent millions of tons of post-consumer textile waste from ending up in landfills. With fast fashion contr...

The rise of packaging waste has become a significant environmental issue in Taiwan, with single use plastics and glass containers contributing heavily to landfills and pollution. In response, the Ministry of Environment has proposed the introduction of a 'Green Design Fee' for producers of plastic and glass packaging. The green fee system is an initiative...

​Approximately 85% of plastic packaging worldwide ends up in landfill rather than recycling. This is why EPR is so important, to make sure producers make more effort to ensure their packaging ends up in recycling. EPR stands for Extended Producer Responsibility. It is a policy approach where producers must take responsibility for their products throughout...

​As we transition into the Autumn months of 2024, it's the perfect time to reflect on the significant milestones we've achieved so far this year and look forward to what's still to come. In July, we packed up our Rugby offices to make way for an exciting expansion and refurbishment. During the summer, our team worked from a temporary office space while o...

The US Plastics Pact is a voluntary initiative based on the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's global commitment. This pact involves cooperation between businesses, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations to drive the transition towards a circular economy for plastics by reducing waste, improving recycling, and redesigning plastic packaging. Previously...

​In a world increasingly conscious of its environmental impact, everyday packaging has come under scrutiny. Australia, like many other nations, faces a crucial decision point. Data from the government-backed 2025 APCO targets indicate that, despite progress, Australia is not on track to meet its goals for sustainable packaging. A 2021 review further revea...

​Bundled in with the latest changes from the EU's Green Deal, the EU's landmark Regulation on Deforestation Free Products (EUDR) will revolutionise supply chain traceability when it comes to products derived from key commodities such as wood. The EUDR mandates that certain products may only be placed on the EU market or exported if they are deforestation-...

​The EU is in the process of significantly altering its packaging legislation, thanks to recently published laws including Directive 2024/825 Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition and the Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), and a large number of proposals including the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and the Green Claims Directive. W...

​Today, we delve into the pressing issue of PFAS, exploring their environmental impact, regulatory measures, and future implications in the United States. Join us as we uncover the complexities surrounding these chemicals and the efforts to address their impact on consumer products.Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often called 'forever chemical...

In a previous Lorax EPI blog from January, we stated that textile EPR reporting requirements would come into effect on 1st July 2024 in Latvia. This has now happened - this blog explains what you need to do to comply with textile EPR regulations in Latvia.Parties who place textile products onto the Latvian market for the first time. Companies must either ...

​Recycling stands out as a vital strategy to manage waste and to aid in the conservation of our resources. Within the spectrum of recycling methods, mechanical recycling is one of the most significant and most common. But what exactly is mechanical recycling, and how does it contribute to the bigger picture of sustainability?Mechanical recycling is the pr...

​Denmark is the one of the final countries in the EU to implement Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging. Whilst EPR does not officially come into force in Denmark until July 2025, companies are facing obligations from 2024. So this begs the question, is your company on top of these regulations?The EPR regulations in Denmark mean that any co...

​In the ever-changing world of environmental regulations, businesses grapple with the dual challenge of compliance and sustainability. That's where Lorax EPI steps in. We're more than just a consultancy firm; we're your partners in addressing these complex issues head-on.We dive deep into your existing data infrastructure, identifying areas where addition...