Plastic Overshoot Day 2025: the newly published EA report you can’t miss

The 2025 Plastic Overshoot Day report from EA indicates that by September 5, global waste systems will no longer keep pace with the plastic we generate. This year, 225 million tonnes of plastic waste will be produced (28.6 kg per person), with 72 million tonnes expected to be mismanaged. Despite slight improvements in waste systems, rising consumption continues to outpace waste-management capacity.

These findings underscore the need for urgent systemic change. The upcoming INC-5.2 negotiations in Geneva are a key opportunity to shape a Global Plastics Treaty and push for reduced plastic production, along with more sustainable, transparent, and effective management worldwide.

Expert take on decarbonizing the precision machinery industry

This article explores ongoing efforts to decarbonize the precision machinery industry, with a focus on tackling Scope 3 emissions—the most significant and complex part of the carbon footprint. It highlights key challenges such as regulatory pressures, limited visibility into machine usage, and upstream material impacts. It also outlines strategic mitigation pathways including eco-design, supplier collaboration, and life-cycle thinking.

By adopting these approaches, Swiss manufacturers can reduce emissions across their value chains and create long-term value through sustainable innovation while building differentiation around environmental quality and improved client engagement.

From ambition to action: your guide to structuring sustainability priorities

Every company has different sustainability challenges—and priorities that evolve over time. This new guide helps you understand where you stand, define what your business truly needs, and explore practical pathways to act.

It brings together Earth Action’s core services—carbon footprinting, life-cycle assessments, plastic strategies, and collaborative initiatives—into clear, modular offers. Whether you’re just starting or ready to go further, use this guide to clarify your next steps.

Bringing Nature into the Boardroom

Biodiversity is fast becoming a business-critical issue. In this article, biodiversity consultant and Earth Action expert collaborator Olivier Schär explains why nature is no longer a fringe concern—and how companies can begin integrating it into strategy. From biodiversity footprints to TNFD alignment, Olivier outlines a science-based, systems-level approach to building a nature-positive business.

Empowering governments to act on the plastic crisis

Discover how governments can better tackle plastic pollution—backed by EA’s expertise and open-access data.

In Case You Missed It

• Global plastic material-flow study (2022), trade-linked MFA.
  Complexities of the global plastics supply chain revealed in a trade-linked material flow analysis — mapping production, processing, and shifting waste-management trends shaped by trade and economic disparities.
  Read the article
• EPFL paper on local plastic-waste dynamics in Bandung, Indonesia.
  Where does plastic waste go? Local dynamics of waste flows in Indonesian neighbourhoods — how community programs, infrastructure, and socioeconomic factors shape waste practices.
  Read the article
• What we know — and don’t — about plastics & climate change.
  Systematic review: plastics may emit up to 2 Gt CO₂/yr, weaken natural carbon sinks, and disrupt Earth’s radiation balance; long-term effects remain uncertain.
  Read the article
• SBTi corporate Net-Zero standard update — consultation (draft).
  Read the draft
• Quantis × iCare avoided-emissions platform.
  Check the platform

Prof. Richard Thompson Named in TIME 100 – Microplastics in the Global Spotlight

This marks a major moment for the microplastics research community: Professor Richard Thompson, lead author of the landmark “20 Years of Microplastics Research” paper, has been named one of TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2025.

The study—co-authored by Julien Boucher of Earth Action—has been downloaded more than 80,000 times since September. It draws on two decades of research and includes several contributions from Earth Action, including the 2023 global microplastic assessment and our work on plastic leakage from paint.

Meet Danaé — our footprint and impact specialist

Each month, we introduce one of the talented people behind Earth Action’s work. Meet Danaé.

Danaé joined EA 3 years ago and works closely with our clients across sectors, supporting them with Life Cycle Assessments, environmental footprinting, and the development of low-carbon strategies. She is passionate about delivering concrete, science-based solutions that make a real difference—moving beyond scientific research and into actionable roadmaps that benefit both our clients and the environment.

Beyond Carbon, Beyond Growth

We speak with Lindsay Lessard, LCA and climate-strategy expert, about how companies can move beyond carbon tunnel vision to embrace truly systemic sustainability. Lindsay challenges the myth of infinite growth—and explains how science-based tools can help businesses align with planetary boundaries.

Expert Spotlight: Dr. Elena Corella Puertas

We’re excited to introduce Dr. Elena Corella Puertas, newly appointed Chair of the Scientific Committee of the Plastic Footprint Network (PFN), hosted by Earth Action. With deep expertise in plastic impact assessment and LCA modeling, Elena has helped shape the science behind plastic footprinting—from global metrics to practical tools for companies.

In our latest interview, Elena shares her motivation, the science behind the new Impact Module, and how PFN is helping businesses move beyond reporting toward real environmental improvement.

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