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The briefing highlights a crisis in California's bottle bill, where redemption rates have fallen to 66% due to the closure of over 1,200 recycling centers between 2013 and 2019. It proposes reforming the system by implementing 'no-touch' reverse vending machines (RVMs) and bag-drop systems, and expanding the scope to include wine and liquor containers. According to analysis by Eunomia Research & Consulting, moving to a 'best-in-class' (BiC) system with a 96% redemption rate would create 5,000 additional jobs, save 400,000 metric tons of GHG emissions annually, and significantly reduce plastic and aluminum litter in the environment and oceans.

The report evaluates UK supermarkets' reliance on fishmeal and fish oil (FMFO) for farmed seafood, arguing that the current 'fed aquaculture' model is unsustainable and threatens marine ecosystems and global food security. It ranks retailers based on their policies, transparency, and in-store practices, finding that none have a time-bound target to eliminate wild-caught fish in feed.

A public opinion poll of 1,000 Austrian adults reveals strong national support for increased action against plastic pollution, with 86% believing more should be done. There is overwhelming agreement (93%) that plastic producers should contribute to waste management, and 83% of respondents support the introduction of a deposit return scheme in Austria. Support for these measures is consistent across all surveyed age groups and regions, with Tirol showing the highest average support across all polling questions.

A survey of 1,000 representative adults in Austria reveals overwhelming public support for increased measures to combat plastic pollution, the implementation of a deposit system for beverage containers, and the requirement for plastic producers to contribute to waste management.

The document examines the UK carpet waste stream, asserting that the voluntary industry body Carpet Recycling UK (CRUK) has engaged in greenwashing by relying on incineration and downcycling rather than carpet-to-carpet recycling. It highlights that while landfill diversion rose to 44% by 2018, the majority of this is achieved through incineration, which carries significant climate and health costs. The authors call for the UK government to implement mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to drive genuine circularity.

The document provides a detailed audit of global brands' engagement with sustainable viscose production. It highlights a significant gap in transparency, as most brands disclose Tier 1 suppliers but fail to reveal the Tier 3 and 4 viscose fibre producers. While several brands have signed the Changing Markets Roadmap and committed to 'closed-loop' manufacturing by 2023-2025, many others lack specific viscose policies or chemical management standards like the ZDHC MRSL. A small group of 'frontrunners' such as Esprit, Tesco, and Marks and Spencer provide detailed lists of fibre suppliers, including major producers like Lenzing and Aditya Birla.

A consortium of social justice and consumer organisations has written to several major institutional investors, including BlackRock, Aviva Investors, and Norges Bank Investment Management, to raise concerns about Kellogg's business practices in Mexico. The authors allege that since 2013, Kellogg's has reduced or removed two-thirds of essential micronutrients from its most popular cereal brands in Mexico to save costs. According to the consortium's analysis, Kellogg's saved an estimated 85 million USD over five years, while the minimum cumulative social cost to Mexico for the reduction of iron, calcium, and folic acid was 250 million USD. The letters argue that this practice contradicts Kellogg's public commitments to tackle food security and undernutrition, and poses a reputational and financial risk to investors who adhere to sustainable investment and ESG principles.

The report evaluates the fashion industry's transition to responsible viscose production, noting increased engagement from brands and some progress by producers toward EU Best Available Techniques (BAT) standards. While some European brands are leading in transparency and policy, many others—including several luxury and US-based brands—remain laggards. The document emphasizes that voluntary self-regulation is insufficient and calls for government legislation to ensure industry-wide compliance with environmental standards.

The report evaluates the environmental performance and transparency of 91 clothing brands and several major viscose producers. It finds that while some European brands and producers like Lenzing and Aditya Birla Group are moving toward EU Best Available Techniques (BAT) standards, many others—particularly US brands and the Chinese viscose industry—remain laggards. The document argues that voluntary initiatives are insufficient and calls for mandatory government regulation to ensure a sector-wide transition to closed-loop production.

The report argues that Kellogg's has prioritised short-term cost savings over public health in Mexico by reducing the fortification of its cereals. By modelling the health impacts of removing iron, calcium, and folic acid, the authors estimate that the company saved approximately $85 million over five years, while the minimum cumulative social cost to Mexico exceeded $250 million.

The report argues that Kellogg's has prioritised short-term financial gains over public health in Mexico by reducing essential micronutrients in its cereals. It estimates that while the company saved approximately $85 million over five years, the resulting social cost to Mexico exceeds $250 million, meaning every dollar saved by the company destroys roughly three dollars in social value.

The briefing examines the UK carpet waste stream, criticizing the industry's reliance on incineration and downcycling under the guise of recycling. It argues that voluntary initiatives have failed and proposes a mandatory EPR framework to incentivize eco-design and closed-loop recycling.

The report finds that the production of fishmeal and fish oil (FMFO) for aquaculture is driving the collapse of fish stocks and compromising food security in India, Vietnam, and The Gambia. It establishes links between these unsustainable practices and major European retailers and aquafeed companies, arguing that current certification by the Marine Ingredients Organisation (IFFO) acts as a 'sustainability smokescreen'. The document recommends a total phase-out of wild-caught fish in aquafeed in favor of sustainable alternatives and a shift toward farming omnivorous or herbivorous species.

The report argues that the production of fishmeal and fish oil (FMFO) for aquaculture is precipitating the collapse of fish stocks and undermining food security in developing nations. Through field investigations in India, Vietnam, and Gambia, it documents the use of juvenile fish and non-target species, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and the diversion of human-grade fish to animal feed. The document identifies links between these unsustainable practices and major European retailers and global aquafeed companies, while criticizing the Marine Ingredients Organization (IFFO) for conflicts of interest in its certification processes. It recommends a transition to sustainable feed alternatives and the elimination of wild-caught fish in aquaculture feeds.

The report argues that the production of fish meal and fish oil (FMFO) for aquaculture is precipitating the collapse of fish populations and threatening food security in regions like India, Vietnam, and Gambia. It maps supply chains linking unsustainable and often illegal fishing practices to major European retailers and global aquafeed companies, while critiquing the Marine Ingredients Organisation (IFFO) for providing a 'smoke screen' of sustainability through its certifications. The document recommends a transition away from wild-caught fish in aquafeeds toward sustainable alternatives and the cultivation of species that do not require FMFO.

The report argues that the production of fishmeal and fish oil (FMFO) for aquaculture is precipitating the collapse of fish stocks and compromising food security in the Global South. Investigations in India, Vietnam, and The Gambia reveal rampant illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing, including the capture of juvenile fish and the use of illegal nets. The report establishes links between these unsustainable practices and major European aquafeed companies and retailers. It further critiques the Marine Ingredients Organisation (IFFO) certification as a 'sustainability smokescreen' and warns that the industry's reliance on finite wild-fish resources poses a systemic risk to the aquaculture sector's long-term viability.

The Changing Markets Foundation found that Unilever fails to fortify its basic Maizena Natural cornflour in Mexico despite claims that its cornflour products in Latin America are fortified. Furthermore, laboratory tests of 84 samples revealed that flavoured Maizena atole mixes often contain lower levels of iron and zinc than stated on their labels, suggesting a gap between the company's global nutrition commitments and its product reality.

The Changing Markets Foundation analyzed 84 samples of Unilever's Maizena products in Mexico, finding that the company's claims of regional fortification are not reflected in its products. While Unilever asserts that its cornstarch products in Latin America are fortified, the 'Maizena Natural' product in Mexico contains no micronutrients. Furthermore, laboratory tests of 'Maizena Sabores' (flavored mixes) revealed that levels of iron and zinc were consistently lower than those declared on the packaging, suggesting a gap between the company's global nutrition pledges and its commercial practices.

The report finds that the vast majority of industrially produced breads and tortillas in Mexico fail to meet the minimum iron and zinc levels mandated by the NOM-247-SSA1-2008 regulation. Testing revealed that only 14% of bread products and 1.5% of tortilla products were adequately fortified. Furthermore, 84% of both product types were suspected of using elemental iron, a less-bioavailable source not recommended by the regulation or WHO guidelines. The report highlights a regulatory loophole where the law mandates fortification for flour producers but does not explicitly require food processors to procure and use that fortified flour. Major companies like Grupo Bimbo and Gruma were specifically analyzed, with Gruma's tested products failing to meet any minimum requirements for iron or zinc.

The report finds a widespread failure by food processors and supermarkets in Mexico to ensure that industrially produced breads and tortillas are adequately fortified with iron and zinc, despite legal requirements for the flours used to make them.