ICER 2023: Circular targets remain out of reach The Netherlands aims to have a fully circular economy by 2050 and halve its use of raw materials by 2030. In recent years, however, little progress has been made in either regard.
Urgent need for more research into environmental effects of microplastics Additional solutions are urgently needed to limit emissions of microplastics into the environment. Growing quantities of microplastics (particles of 5 mm or less) are entering our living environment every day.
Circular economy: plastics recycling from end-of-life vehicles could be four times higher At present, 85% of plastics from end-of-life vehicles is still incinerated. Only 15% of plastics is reused as a raw material. A survey conducted by RIVM has revealed possibilities to expand recovery of these plastics fourfold by 2030.
Proposed European PFAS ban officially submitted The Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Norway today took the first formal step towards a European ban on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) by jointly submitting a restriction proposal to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
More than two million invitations to get vaccinated against HPV in 2023 In early 2023, 1.3 million young adults will receive an invitation to get vaccinated against the human papillomavirus (HPV). This group comprises around 900,000 men and 400,000 women between the ages of 19 and 27.
Number of positive COVID-19 tests more than doubled within two weeks In the last week from 19 to 26 October 2021, 50% more people tested positive for COVID-19 compared to the week before. Reported figures increased in all regions and in all age groups.
Safety of materials and products already starts at the design phase The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management aims to ensure that all new materials and technological developments are safe in 2050.
Sewage treatment workers not more likely to carry antibiotic-resistant bacteria Employees at sewage and wastewater treatment plants in the Netherlands and Germany are not more likely to carry antibiotic-resistant bacteria than other people. Unie van Waterschappen
Vaccination reduces transmission to unvaccinated household members by 63% for Delta variant Vaccination protects against COVID-19, and also reduces the risk of transmitting the virus to others.
4 in 5 COVID-19 patients in ICU are not vaccinated 4 in 5 COVID-19 patients in intensive care are not vaccinated against the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.