Anyone who has followed the headlines on the subject of plastic waste in recent weeks has wavered between hope and despair. On the one hand, there are the big changes that are coming: From January 1st, all of Austria will collect plastic and metal packaging together in the yellow bin or yellow bag. At the same time, deposits for disposable plastic and metal beverage packaging will be introduced across the country. This is two pieces of good news for the environment: we are taking an important step towards a well-functioning circular economy.