European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) calls for data on migration and occurrence of plasticizers, such as phthalates, in food contact materials (FCMs); aims to gather migration data to assess dietary exposure and enhance the safety of FCMs; national food authorities, research institutions, and food businesses are invited to submit data by August 31, 2023
May 17, 2023
Proposed Philippine bill targets single-use plastic waste
Manila Times editorial raises concerns about waste management in the Philippines and calls for policy discussions; discusses the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, the Philippine Action Plan for Sustainable Consumption and Production, and the Extended Producer Responsibility Act; single-use plastics bill HB 507 stalling in the Philippine House of Representatives
May 16, 2023
Philippines watchdog urges ban on PFAS
EcoWaste Coalition urges Philippines Environmental Management Bureau to ban PFAS as a class; highlights local study of elevated PFAS in women with breast cancer around Manila
May 10, 2023
California considering stronger controls of microplastics
California Department of Toxic Substances Control proposes adding microplastics to its Candidate Chemicals List under the state’s Safer Consumer Products Program due to potential harmful impacts on human health and the environment; workshops for the public scheduled for June and July.
May 9, 2023
Reusable packaging targets removed from draft PPWR
Negotiation of the EU packaging and packaging waste regulation (PPWR) is underway; negotiator removing reusable packaging targets for takeaway food and drink sales; concerns over measuring reuse versus refill; others highlight benefits of reusables beyond greenhouse gas emissions; negotiators can propose amendments until May 10, 2023; committee votes in September, Plenary in October
May 9, 2023
Oregon passes bills to reduce plastic pollution, PFAS
US state of Oregon passes bill to reduce plastic, ban PFAS in food packaging, and to amend health regulations around reusables; SB 543 phases out polystyrene foam dishware, packing peanuts, and coolers, also prohibits the use of PFAS in food packaging; SB 545 will make it easier for restaurants to offer reusable containers to customers
May 9, 2023
Google wants to switch from single-use to reusables
Google wants to remove single-use plastics from onsite food service operations; announces new challenge seeking applications from innovators with preferably reusable packaging options; applicants are encouraged to register their interest in the challenge by May 30, 2023
May 8, 2023
UNEP: Over 3000 chemicals of concern in plastics
Technical report from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) informs about “chemical-related issues of plastic pollution and options to address them”; finds 13,000 chemicals present in plastic; 7,000 have hazard data of which 3,200 are chemicals of concern; outlines chemical groups, use sectors of concern, human and ecosystem exposure, gaps and improvement options including substitution and waste management in a circular economy
May 8, 2023
UV-328 listed as POP under the Stockholm Convention
11th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention lists UV absorber as Persistent Organic Pollutant (POP); first non-halogenated POP under the Convention; also listing of flame retardant dechlorane plus and pesticide methoxychlor in Annex A
May 8, 2023
United States creating national plastic pollution strategy
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publishes draft national strategy to prevent plastic pollution; outlines goals to reduce pollution during plastic production, improve recycling/reuse, and remove microplastics from waterways
