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EPR-News & Updates
Stay Informed
EPR-News & Updates

ZEREZ – What’s behind the requirement for solar power systems?
As of February 1, 2025, it is mandatory in Germany to provide the ZEREZ ID for the grid connection of

WEEE number: Required for the sale of electrical appliances in Germany
Anyone who manufactures electrical appliances in Germany, imports them into Germany, or offers them for sale here for the first

PPWR: What’s Changing in Fruit and Vegetable Packaging Starting in 2030
Starting August 12, 2026, the EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR) will become mandatory in all EU member states, thereby replacing existing

Cigarette Butts: The underestimated hazardous waste in our environment
Flicking cigarette butts onto the street is often still tolerated, even though a single butt – with its mix of

Who pays for cleanliness? The focus on Single-Use Plastics
Single-use plastic products end up as litter in our environment far too often and pollute the oceans. To combat littering,

Plastic-Free Straws: What the ban really achieves – and which alternative is gaining ground
Since July 3, 2021, single-use plastic straws may no longer be placed on the market in the EU. The directive

Earth Day 2026
Today is April 22. This date is more than just a mark on the calendar – it stands worldwide for

Removable batteries in smartphones will be mandatory starting in 2027
Starting in 2027, there will be a noticeable change for smartphones in the EU: The removable battery is making a

Tethered Caps: Why the lid now stays attached to the bottle ♻️
Have you ever gotten frustrated by a cap that’s stuck to the bottle when you’re trying to drink? Since July

Disposable vapes: Fires in trash cans and recycling centers
The use of disposable e-cigarettes is booming – and with it, a massive safety risk. Because the built-in lithium-ion batteries

To-go cup tax: The cost of disposable cups is rising – who pays what?
According to DUH (Environmental Action Germany), Germany consumed approximately 36 billion single-use packaging items in 2022 (8 billion cups, 28

PFAS: Why these “forever chemicals” are now being regulated
PFAS are a large group of artificially produced chemicals. Experts often refer to them as “forever chemicals.” The reason for

The Microplastic Cycle: From Formation to Regulation
Microplastics are a ubiquitous reality in our environment and our bodies. The life cycle of these tiny particles can be

🔋Seeking Logistics Partners: Battery & Vehicle Disposal!
ECOPV-EU GmbH (an accredited Producer Responsibility Organization under Germany’s Battery Act (BattDG)) is establishing a Europe-wide network for take-back, logistics,

3 Steps to an Official Battery Collection Point with ECOPV-EU
Retailers and distributors are legally required to accept used batteries free of charge, provided they carry them in their product

Household Waste Checklist: What can go in and what has to stay out?
Conserving resources starts right at home. The misconception that modern sorting facilities can separate everything perfectly anyway persists. But what

Linear vs. Recycling vs. Circular Economy
The way we manufacture and use products is changing radically. But what do these technical terms mean in practice? 1.

Only a few weeks left until the PPWR!
The new EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR) is coming fast.Now is the time to prepare in a legally compliant manner and

The PPWR is coming: Here’s what will change for packaging starting in 2026!
Here is a quick overview of the official timeline: August 2026: Mandatory EU declaration of conformity, strict PFAS ban, and

Guide and Checklist: EPR Compliance for Packaging in France
Anyone who sells products in France is familiar with the issue: Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) makes companies jointly responsible for

German Packaging Act Delayed: What will apply to businesses starting in August 2026?
Recent reports confirm a delay in the Packaging Act Implementation Act (VerpackDG). The reason for this is the European Commission’s

The Major ESG Roadmap starting in 2026: What companies need to know now
Did you know that we are in the midst of a critical phase of the EU’s sustainability strategy? Whereas “sustainability”

From Disposal to Circularity: The State of Waste Management in Germany
Germany produces nearly 380 million tons of waste annually. More than half of this consists of construction and demolition waste.

Urban Mining: The City as the Raw Materials Depot of the Future
We live in a world where raw materials are becoming scarcer, more expensive, and more geopolitically sensitive. At the same