Kenya Plastics Pact publishes roadmap to 2030 with four main targets to tackle plastic waste and pollution; targets focus on replacing single-use plastic packaging, reusability, recyclability; Pact now has 34 signatories
September 2, 2022
The Minderoo – Monaco Commission on Plastics and Human Health
Scientists, policy analysts, and healthcare workers from around the world announce formation of the Minderoo – Monaco Commission on Plastics and Human Health; Commission plans to analyze plastic’s health impacts and develop science-based solutions to protect human health until March 2023
September 1, 2022
EC: draft proposal to restrict intentionally added microplastics
European Commission (EC) publishes draft proposal to restrict intentionally-added synthetic polymer microparticles < 5 mm; could ban use of microplastics in cosmetics, cleaning products, pesticides, and sport fields; environmental groups warn of shortcomings
August 31, 2022
Biomonitoring provides insights into nonylphenol exposure in Germany
Retrospective analyses of urinary nonylphenol (NP) levels in German students over past 30 years demonstrate omnipresence of NP exposure; scientists recommend using NP metabolites as biomarkers for NP exposure assessment; analysis points to foodstuff as major exposure source
August 30, 2022
Microplastics in food: occurrence, source, detection, and perception
Three studies investigate microplastics in foods; review summarizes particle migration from food packaging into honey and calls for universal analysis methods; research study presents analytical method to detect and identify microplastics in certain foods; survey finds public seems unaware of food packaging as microplastic source and seldomly connects microplastics with human health consequences
August 26, 2022
Viewpoint: Subthreshold effects need consideration in chemical risk assessment
Scientists point out chemical risk assessments worldwide neglect current scientific knowledge; advocate to consider potential subthreshold effects in regulatory risk assessment
August 24, 2022
Comparing EU and Chinese FCM policy
News provider and consultancy ChemLinked publishes article comparing Chinese and European food contact material (FCM) policies
August 23, 2022
Bio Suisse integrates chemical migration scoring
New framework scores 73 food packaging items for seven food and beverage types regarding their potential chemical migration; approach based on Food Packaging Forum databases, expert survey, general food-packaging interactions; results integrated in Bio Suisse packaging fact sheets
August 23, 2022
US Senate passes bills to increase recycling accessibility, data
United States Senate unanimously passes the Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act, Recycling and Composting Accountability Act; both receive wide support from industry and environmental groups; must pass House of Representatives to become national policy
August 23, 2022
Associations report European packaging recycling rates
Industry associations report recycling rates of packaging materials in Europe; average collection rate of glass bottles and jars hit 80% in 2020; paper packaging recycling over 80%; paper recycling rates close to theoretical maximum; plastic recycling has not increased despite increased demand by beverage companies; two-thirds of plastic-packaging pledges in Europe failed, supporting the change away from single-use likely necessary
