The myth of bioplastics

Many companies have discovered that making their products sustainable is a unique selling point and good for PR. Some are eager to promote bioplastics as being more sustainable. Often this is not the case.

Thomas Meekel • December 16, 2019

From petition to regulation: a deposit return system for small plastic bottles

Last week the Dutch Parliament discussed the proposal for a mandatory deposit return system for small plastic bottles. After more than 25 years of dialogue with the industry, it seems that this might be the only solution to tackle plastic pollution.

Esther Kentin, Emily den Boer and Louise Floris • April 25, 2019

Recycling as panacea for plastic pollution: the EU Plastics Strategy

The circular economy and recycling are the key answers of the EU Plastics Strategy to the plastic soup. What happened to the idea of reducing plastic waste, as single-use plastics make up 50% of the marine litter?

Esther Kentin • January 30, 2018

World Wide Waste

The programme ‘Ocean Clean Up’ promises to rid the oceans of ‘plastic soup’. This is a very welcome initiative. But only effective when it is accompanied by a change in the way we deal with plastic, by a change in our sense of self.

Wim Bonis • May 24, 2017

Towards a European ban on microbeads

The Plastic Soup Foundation is campaigning to ban microbeads in cosmetics products. Students of the Leiden Advocacy Project on Plastic (LAPP) wrote a memo providing legal guidance on the prohibition of microbeads in the EU.

Judith Jansen, Floor Veldhuis and Marleen Schreuder • February 17, 2017 • 2 comments

A strong case against air pollution

The action group Milieudefensie tries to force the Dutch state to take measures against poor air quality that threatens human health.

Janet van de Bunt • September 12, 2016

Coca-Cola and its plastic bottle

Coca cola has switched from glass to plastic bottles on its way towards sustainable packaging in Africa. Promises to apply CSR policies have been made in order to reduce plastic pollution. But are the promises of the soda giant sincere?

Kevin Lehmann and Nico Salemans • July 08, 2016

Challenges In the Development of China’s Environmental Economic Policy

In 2011, China issued its ambitious five-year plan to improve the rule of law in environmental protection by 2015. This plan aimed to establish a comprehensive framework of China’s environmental protection policy. Will China meet its goal this year?

Fengan Jiang (Richard) • May 05, 2015

Gaining Freedom, Losing Space

Classic international space law instruments promote the freedom of States to explore and use outer space for peaceful purposes, providing only vague restrictions on this freedom. Should the freedom of use be restricted?

Neta Palkovitz • August 26, 2014 • 2 comments

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