Global Scans · Plastics · Weekly Summary

• [New] As the global plastics consumption is expected to double by 2060 according to the OECD, policy and industry actions are necessary to reduce the negative environmental impacts from plastics, notably from plastic waste. The Joint Research Centre: EU Science Hub
• [New] California's Extended Producer Responsibility law requires a 25% reduction in single-use plastic packaging by 2032, accelerating the move toward paperization. ResourceWise
• [New] Global rules and global coordination will mean all nations working on a level playing field, giving them the ability to rapidly accelerate solutions to the plastic pollution crisis. Packaging Europe
• [New] Without urgent intervention, plastic production could triple by 2050. Greenpeace UK
• India will stick with major investment plans to reduce import dependency on chemicals used in everyday goods, from plastic bags to auto parts. The Pioneer
• A petition submitted by industry-aligned Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) sought to allow compost feedstocks that might include, for example, compostable plastic food containers. Beyond Pesticides Daily News Blog
• BASF will highlight depolymerization of post-consumer shoe waste and the use of mixed plastic waste as feedstock under its ChemCycling program. RECYCLING magazine
• Plastic pollution already poses significant business risks, with corporate liabilities projected to exceed $20 billion by 2030. resource.co
• For the next 117 days, until the end of the year, the world will be in a state of 'plastic overshoot,' where all plastic waste generated is mismanaged and becomes environmental pollution. resource.co
• Globally, if the amount of plastic debris polluting the environment was cut by 90%, it could halve the amount of plastics consumed by people in the most affected countries. BBC
• While global treaties face resistance, local actions and standardized regulations offer hope for curbing plastic consumption and shifting corporate responsibility. The Times Of India
• A once-in-a-generation opportunity to tackle global plastic pollution has been dealt a serious blow. Business for Nature
• Global plastic waste will reach about 225 million tonnes in 2025 - equal to roughly 28 kilograms for every person on Earth. Medium
• One-third of all plastic waste generated in 2025 will likely be dumped, burned or littered. Edie
• Scientists at Northwestern University have developed a groundbreaking nickel-based catalyst that could transform the way the world recycles plastic. ScienceDaily
• Canada is stepping up its game with the introduction of a national rule requiring at least 50% recycled plastic content in plastic packaging by 2030 and also setting up plastics-to-fuel, enzymatic, and chemical recycling innovation centers. Emergen Research
• The draft version of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation that is pending approval includes expanding recycled content requirements to plastic packaging beyond bottles and setting 2040 requirements for plastic packaging. Husky

Last updated: 13 October 2025