Report by City to Sea presents requirements for implementing reuse systems in UK; says majority of consumers are receptive to using reusable packaging; Chartered Institution of Waste Management urges UK to take the lead in establishing reuse systems for a circular economy
Report highlights needs for reuse systems, consumer demand grows
UK reviews biobased and biodegradable plastics
UK government releases report summarizing stakeholders comments regarding bio-based, biodegradable plastics contribution to circular economy; discusses knowledge gaps; finds lower carbon footprint, potential negative impacts on land-use, waste management; determines use of biodegradables should be limited to specific applications; degradation in the open environment unclear
Thailand proposes draft regulation for paper FCMs
Thailand publishes draft regulation for chemicals in paper food contact materials (FCMs), affects non-colored paper and board containers; limits concentrations of heavy metals, phthalates, bisphenol A and benzophenone; draft open for consultation until May 11, 2021
EU plans BPA update
European Commission plans to lower specific migration limit (SML) for BPA from food contact plastics; new SML shall also apply to varnishes and coatings used in FCMs
Final Countdown to UK Plastic Packaging Tax
UK regulator acts to limit greenwashing
Advertising Standards Authority informs Pepsi Lipton International and Aqua Pura their “100% recycled” and “eco-friendly” labeling breaches advertising code; advertising implies the whole beverage container made from recycled materials even though cap and label are from virgin material; argue that eco-friendly label needs evidence
U.S. TV channel reports on hormone disruptors from consumer products
NBC Dateline reporter tests herself and her young children for BPA, phthalates and triclosan exposure from food packaging and other everyday products
Stakeholders discuss waste management challenges of plastics
Publications from government, academia, civil society organizations, and consultancies paint problematic picture of a circular plastics economy; plastic packaging waste per person found to increase over last decade; low percentage of plastic produced is effectively recycled; pyrolysis (a type of chemical recycling) of plastics produces 9x more emissions than mechanical recycling; “biodegradable” and “compostable” plastics found to not break down in home compost systems
G7 charter on plastics
Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and UK sign plastics charter, commit to more recycling and reuse, recovery of all plastics, reduction of single-use plastics