Talking Trash: the corporate playbook of false solutions to the plastic crisis

The Changing Markets Foundation warns that global plastic production is set to double by 2030 and could account for 15% of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The organization argues that industry lobbying is currently undermining the EU's Single-Use Plastic Directive through attempts to exempt bio-based plastics, viscose, and cellophane from the definition of single-use plastics. It further highlights efforts by brands and producer responsibility organisations to jeopardize deposit return systems (DRS), which the author claims are the only viable way to achieve 90%+ collection of beverage bottles. The letter calls for the EU to move beyond voluntary commitments and implement robust measures against overpackaging, greenwashing, and 'false solutions' like chemical recycling and incineration.

• Global plastic production is projected to double by 2030, and if current rates continue, it will be responsible for 15% of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
• Industry actors are attempting to weaken the Single-Use Plastic Directive by seeking exemptions for bio-based, biodegradable plastics, viscose, and cellophane.
• Brands, retailers, and producer responsibility organisations (PROs) are lobbying against deposit return systems (DRS), despite these systems being identified as the only viable method to reach a 90%+ collection rate for beverage bottles.
• The document identifies incineration, waste-to-energy, plastic-to-fuel, and chemical recycling as 'false solutions' that do not contribute substantively to a circular economy and undermine mechanical recycling and reuse.

APA

Changing Markets Foundation (2020). Talking Trash: the corporate playbook of false solutions to the plastic crisis. https://changingmarkets.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/CMF-Letter-PresidentVonderLeyen.pdf

Chicago

Changing Markets Foundation. Talking Trash: the corporate playbook of false solutions to the plastic crisis. 2020. https://changingmarkets.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/CMF-Letter-PresidentVonderLeyen.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Changing Markets Foundation |title=Talking Trash: the corporate playbook of false solutions to the plastic crisis |date=29 October 2020 |url=https://changingmarkets.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/CMF-Letter-PresidentVonderLeyen.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{changingmarketsfoundation2020talking, author = {{Changing Markets Foundation}}, title = {{Talking Trash: the corporate playbook of false solutions to the plastic crisis}}, publisher = {Changing Markets Foundation}, year = {2020}, month = oct, url = {https://changingmarkets.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/CMF-Letter-PresidentVonderLeyen.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }