International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN) report details current recycling schemes; concludes waste management techniques not “capable of alleviating” the growing plastic pollution crisis; recommends government actions to reduce plastic production; Break Free From Plastic follows up on 215 packaging commitments from top plastic pollution producing companies: 18 projects with no information after press release, few projects lessen plastic production; Upstream compares single-use and reusable service ware for environmental impact and business cost, finds “reuse wins”
July 5, 2021
Review clarifies essential-use concept and its application
Review resolves misinterpretations of the essential-use concept and exemplifies the concept’s application using case studies, e.g., on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); classifies concept as feasible and a novel, effective, and more rapid approach of managing chemicals of potential concern
July 2, 2021
Second study finds microplastics in human placenta
Clinical study investigates 10 microplastic types in human placenta and meconium; detects polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyurethane in the samples; highlights that evaluation and control of potential contamination is crucial
July 1, 2021
UV-328 elimination proposal gaining global attention
Stockholm Convention proposal to eliminate use of UV-328 as plastic additive receives pushback from oil and chemical manufacturers; process preparing for draft risk profile discussion at upcoming January 2022 meeting
July 1, 2021
Journal provides current overview of PFAS migration into food
Review highlights that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are still present in several widely-used food contact articles; PFAS migration increases with decreasing pH, increasing fat content and salt concentration of the food, the temperature, and number of repeated uses
July 1, 2021
New Zealand and two Australian states phase out single-use plastics
New Zealand Ministry for the Environment announces plan to ban many hard-to-recycle and single-use plastic items by mid-2025; includes food packaging made from polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, and some degradable plastics, plus all drink stirrers, single-use tableware, and fruit labels; Western Australia moves Plan for Plastics ahead 4 years, banning most single-use plasticware by end of 2021; New South Wales to eliminate most single-use plasticware within a year
June 30, 2021
Thailand proposes standards on plastic food contact articles
Thailand notifies the World Trade Organization of five draft regulations concerning plastic utensils as well as concerning microwaveable and non-microwavable plastic bags
June 30, 2021
Reviews on effects of micro- and nanoplastics in vitro and in vivo
Literature reviews summarize in vitro and in vivo studies on micro- and nanoplastics; report on various exposure and adsorption pathways and toxic effects of plastic particles; human health impacts to be evaluated under realistic exposure scenarios
June 29, 2021
EPR regulations expanded in Canada and US
Canadian province of Ontario expands extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme for paper packaging from covering half of recycling cost to full cost by 2023; adds single-use food packaging to program; legislatures in US states of Maine and Oregon pass EPR legislation that includes food packaging; governors of both states need to sign for bills to become law
