Survey by Trivium Packaging of 15,000 consumers in Europe and the Americas finds demand for sustainable packaging remains high; 66% of respondents consider sustainable packaging materials important, 86% of consumers aged 18-44 willing to pay more for such products, 74% interested in buying refillable packaging; found purchasing behaviors aligned with values
EDCs in plastics cost the US $250 billion in healthcare annually
Scientists calculate US health care costs caused by a well-studied subset of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in plastics; estimate exposure cost $250 billion in 2018, equivalent to 1.22% of Gross Domestic Product; recommend addressing chemicals of concern in global plastics treaty to reduce disease burden and costs
High disease costs attributed to EDC exposure
New series of studies suggests that costs attributable to EDCs are over €150 billion per year in Europe
Cost of EU chemicals regulation
European Commission publishes study assessing the cost of regulation on EU’s chemical industry; CHEM Trust and Cefic release commentaries
Research defines PFAS planetary boundary and calculates human health costs
Scientists suggest per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in environmental media represent a new planetary boundary that has been exceeded; calculate that regulatory action on PFAS use and remediation may provide substantial economic benefits through reduction of health-related costs
Cost of EDCs for female health
Study estimates costs of uterine fibroids and endometriosis linked to EDC exposure to reach nearly €1.5 billion per year
Costco adopts chemicals policy
Retailer Costco commits to reducing hazardous chemicals in consumer products, publishes list of chemicals of concern targeted in its product screening program
NGO calls out top 12 PFAS producers
ChemSec reports on societal costs of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pollution; estimates costs of 16 trillion euros per year; says producers and investors need to take responsibility
Health costs of PFAS estimated
Nordic Co-operation publishes socioeconomic analysis of environmental and human health impacts from exposure to PFAS; estimates EEA member countries incur 52 to 84 billion Euro in PFAS-related health costs annually
Costa Rica to ban single-use plastics
Costa Rican government commits to eliminating single-use plastic items by 2021; intends to promote biodegradable, water-soluble, and renewable materials