Mechanical recycling process developed by Styrenics Circular Solutions (SCS) passes set of tests to ensure removal of impurities; will be submitted to European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for review
October 12, 2020
US EPA calls for comments on national recycling strategy
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publishes draft strategy focusing on reducing contamination, increasing processing efficiency, improving markets for recycled materials; aims to address set of key problems within current recycling system; open for public comment until December 4, 2020
October 9, 2020
Concerns over EU’s ability to meet set recycling targets
European Court of Auditors reviews EU response to growing plastic waste and regulation enacted to address it; warns EU member states not to underestimate challenge of achieving 50% recycling rate by 2025; new reporting rules, restrictions on plastic waste exports set to lower current recycling rates
September 30, 2020
Update of circular packaging design guidelines
FH Campus Wien publishes third edition of its Circular Packaging Design Guideline; provides recommendations for designing recyclable packaging; updated to reflect new legal and structural framework conditions, country-specific details
September 25, 2020
Report critically reviews brands’ plastics commitments
New report by the Changing Markets Foundation investigates commitments on plastic packaging made by largest food and consumer goods companies; criticizes consistently failed promises, sees voluntary initiatives as tactics to distract from and avoid responsibility
September 25, 2020
Documents suggest plastic recycling never intended to work
EcoWatch article presents evidence that manufacturers knew since 1970s that plastic recycling is not viable economically; recent survey finds only 1/3 of UK food product packaging locally recyclable; manufacturer singles out PET as way forward towards circular economy
September 16, 2020
China outlines restrictions on single-use plastics
Ministry of Commerce announces increased oversight on use of disposable plastic items by businesses; sets ban on range of single-use plastic items including plastic shopping bags, tableware, hospitality products
September 15, 2020
California legislature rejects solid waste bill
Assembly fails to pass bill AB-1080; would have required 75% reduction of waste generated from single-use packaging, all packaging to be recyclable or compostable; passes separate bill requiring 50% recycled content in plastic bottles by 2030
September 11, 2020
Webinar on migration testing for recycled plastics
Free webinar by Aspen Research on October 21, 2020 to present on chemical migration from materials, share case studies on recycling process testing often needed to achieve regulatory approval
September 7, 2020
Zero Waste Cities webinar series
Monthly webinars to feature expert presentations and discussion panels between October and June 2020; address topics such as COVID-19 pandemic impacts on zero waste, packaging-free stores, and effective systems for reuse; registration free
