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March 16, 2025

Drowning in Waste: How Reuse Can Save Us from Packaging Pollution

Every year, millions of tonnes of packaging waste are generated, with figures steadily rising. In 2018 alone, 174 kg of packaging waste was generated per person in Europe. The most recent data from 2019 reveals that paper and cardboard made up the largest share at 32.2 million tonnes, followed by plastic at 15.4 million tonnes […]
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Drowning in Waste: How Reuse Can Save Us from Packaging Pollution

Every year, millions of tonnes of packaging waste are generated, with figures steadily rising. In 2018 alone, 174 kg of packaging waste was generated per person in Europe. The most recent data from 2019 reveals that paper and cardboard made up the largest share at 32.2 million tonnes, followed by plastic at 15.4 million tonnes […]
Written by Bethany KeeleyMarch 16, 2025
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Textiles

The reuse economy for textiles

How many second-hand and vintage shops does your city have? And how many people are employed locally collecting, sorting, reselling, repairing, and upcycling garments? The textile reuse sector is growing, creating new economic opportunities for local circular businesses, entrepreneurs, and endless space to unleash creativity. Reusing garments is a central...

Bethany Keeley
Packaging

The impact of the reuse economy on workers in the delivery sector

As momentum builds across Europe for systems that prioritise reuse over single-use plastics, it’s vital to ask: who’s carrying the weight of this transition? Break Free From Plastic Europe partnered with Fairwork to explore this question, focusing on the experiences and rights of delivery workers—those on the frontlines of many...

Bethany Keeley
Packaging

Drowning in Waste: How Reuse Can Save Us from Packaging Pollution

Every year, millions of tonnes of packaging waste are generated, with figures steadily rising. In 2018 alone, 174 kg of packaging waste was generated per person in Europe. The most recent data from 2019 reveals that paper and cardboard made up the largest share at 32.2 million tonnes, followed by...

Bethany Keeley
Electronics

WEEE Directive: A Crucial Stepping Stone Towards a Reuse Economy

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive is a directive in the European Union that aims to reduce the environmental impact of electrical and electronic equipment by promoting sustainable production and consumption.  In the EU, 14.4 million tonnes of electrical & electronic equipment is put on the market, 5...

Bethany Keeley
General

How a reuse economy drives employment in social enterprises

The benefits of prioritising reuse go beyond protecting the planet's resources. Reuse and repair social enterprises also offer ways to address social exclusion and poverty by creating employment opportunities. Social enterprises in reuse and repair are a significant source of employment for people struggling to find jobs, as expanding the...

Bethany Keeley
October 18, 2022

#WeChooseReuse reiterates campaign demands in the run up to the EU revision of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive

Single-use packaging (including plastic, aluminum, paper) is contributing  to the triple climate, biodiversity, and pollution crisis. In 2018, the level of packaging used in Europe reached new heights, with a record of 174kg of packaging waste per person (1). To enforce and strengthen current EU policies, the European Commission is reviewing the Packaging and Packaging […]
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Packaging at the core

How does packaging relate to chemicals, food waste, waste trade and climate change? The relationship is closer than people may think. Overall production of packaging and packaging waste has steadily grown over the past 20 years.  2018 in Europe saw a record 174 kg of packaging waste per person. Between 2009 and 2019, paper & […]
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June 16, 2022

Ekologi brez meja wins support for reuse from Slovenian decision-makers

For inspiration on how to engage decision-makers, our #breakfreefromplastic Slovenian member Ekologi brez meja offers their effective engagement process, which gained support from three Slovenian MEPs for reuse – Irena Joveva, Milan Brglez and Franc Bogovič. With the right support and conditions, reuse can thrive in Europe, and lead to a much needed effective reduction […]
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June 15, 2022

Realising Reuse Across Slovenia

Written by Žaklina Žnajder, Ekologi brez meja.   Reuse is one of the most effective waste prevention measures. We can do a lot on an individual level, and we can be even more successful if the local community helps us. As we celebrate World Refill Day on June 16 2022, we took a closer look at […]
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June 13, 2022

Reuse takes centre stage in Croatia with Zelena Akcija

Written by Marko Košak, Programme Coordinator at Zelena akcija/Friends of the Earth Croatia & Coordinator of Zero Waste Croatia Network.   Zelena akcija / Friends of the Earth Croatia is an NGO in Croatia working actively since 1990 on the protection of the environment and promotion of sustainable development at the local, national and global […]
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