EU Commission’s DG SANTE publishes Inception Impact Assessment as roadmap for revision of EU regulations on food contact materials; outlines eight main “issues” identified during ongoing evaluation, possible policy options to be considered by planned Impact Assessment; commenting period open until January 29, 2021
Tesco trials packaging-free produce
UK retailer launches trial at two stores to sell 45 produce products without packaging for one month; aims to keep reducing amount of packaging and ensure recyclability
EU Council adopts single-use plastic bans
European Council formally adopts new rules on single-use plastics and recycling targets; directive completes final step before becoming law; England to ban plastic straws, stirrers, and cotton buds from April 2020
Coca-Cola to use more rPET
Coca-Cola European Partners launches new sustainable packaging strategy in the UK; aims to increase content of recycled PET in bottles, promote recycling
Opinion: Use of plastic packaging must stop
Former CEO of UK’s retailer Asda claims that recycling alone cannot solve ‘plastic proliferation crisis;’ calls on supermarkets to replace plastic packaging by alternative packaging, proposes creating ‘plastic-free aisles’
Microplastics, seafood and human health
Greenpeace UK releases report on microplastics in seafood; compiles most recent academic research; recommends banning mircobeads and generally applying precautionary principle
Measuring trade-offs between packaging waste and food waste
Australian Fight Food Waste Cooperative Research Center surveys consumer perceptions of packaging’s role in encouraging or preventing food waste; United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) breaks down results from 33 life cycle analyses comparing packaging and food waste; makes structured recommendations for when packaging or food waste costs are higher based on food type, consumer and regulatory support, and strength of local waste management systems
Concerns over recycled ocean-bound plastic packaging
UK branch of supermarket chain Lidl announces new packaging for fish made from at least 30% recycled ocean-bound plastic from March 2020; stakeholders raise concerns over safety of chemicals that could be present
WRAP sets targets for removing single-use packaging in store-sold produce
UK-based organization publishes roadmap to reducing food waste and single-use plastic packaging; targets selling 50% of fruits and vegetables loose by 2030; aims to support retailers and other stakeholders in reaching UK Plastics Pact targets
Studies investigate how to improve plastic recycling
Researchers analyze options to increase recycling rates; laboratory study reports using untargeted migrants analysis as a feasible tool to discern recycled from virgin polyethylene (PE); stakeholder analysis finds equal involvement of all relevant actors needed to improve PET plastic recycling