Recycling of black plastics

UK plastics producer, retailers, recycler collaborate to recycle black PET trays from mixed waste household collection into new food grade packaging

Consultation on amendments to CLP regulation

EU Commission drafts amendments to Classification, Labeling and Packaging regulation to align with revisions of United Nations Globally Harmonized System

Opinion: recycled content mandates needed

Non-profit organization Reloop comments on EU Commission’s proposal for reduction of environmental impacts of single-use plastics, calls for setting recycled content mandates, high targets for recycling of beverage bottles, EU-wide deposit-refund schemes

EFSA evaluates Gneuss recycling for PET

EFSA’s CEF Panel considers PET made from Gneuss recycling processes safe for use in food contact articles intended ‘for long-term storage at room temperature with all types of food stuffs’; trays made of this recycled PET not to be used in microwave or conventional oven

Global definition of plastics’ recyclability

Plastics recycling groups propose global definition for recyclability of plastic packaging, suggest technical recyclability, accessible and efficient recycling program, market demand for recycled materials as criteria to be fulfilled

Member States support restriction of 4 phthalates

EU Member States support proposal to restrict DEHP, DBP, DIBP, BBP in consumer articles; restriction will not cover food contact materials

Call for reducing MOH in foods

Scientist reviews existing toxicological assessments of mineral oil hydrocarbons in foods, calls for lowering acceptable intake levels and phasing out use in food and food contact applications

ECHA: New database on SVHCs in articles by 2021

ECHA to launch database on presence of substances of very high concern in articles by late 2019; information to be provided by industry and available to waste treatment operators and consumers

EU environment committee votes on plastics strategy

EU Parliament’s Environment Committee supports EU Commission’s overall plans for plastics in circular economy, suggests further measures on microplastics, single-use plastics, hazardous chemicals

NGOs comment on UN EDC reports

ChemSec and CIEL discuss UN overview reports on endocrine disruptors, highlight value of SIN List, importance of using scientific information for policies and regulations