EU Commission’s Directorate-General on Research and Innovation releases report on circular economy for plastics, summarizing research and innovation developments to provide reference information for future policy and funding decisions
EU report on plastics innovations
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
Study investigates pace of bioplastic innovation
Clarivate report finds bioplastics still in early developmental stage, volume of filed patents increasing at same rate as other sectors; research focus being placed on improving mechanical properties to compete with petrochemical-based plastics
Webinar on microplastics now available online
Recording of Collaborative on Health and Environment’s recent webinar on microplastics now available online for streaming
Japan updates list of substances allowed for food contact articles
Draft introduces new definitions of polymers; revises usage allowances for some substances
EFSA authorizes six PET recycling processes for up to 100 % use in food contact materials
EFSA authorized PET recycling processes based on the STARLINGER IV+ technology and the “RPET Nosinyec process”
Report: European supermarkets falling short on packaging commitments
Changing Markets Foundation and Break Free From Plastic investigate plastic pollution related actions made by 74 of the largest European supermarkets; Total average score of retailers was just 13/100, only Aldi UK and Aldi Ireland scored above 60; over 80% of companies had no information on total plastic use which “casts doubt” over plastic reduction pledges because there is no baseline data
Greenpeace survey on plastic bottles
Soft drink companies have limited commitment to reducing single-use plastic bottles, increasing recycled content in PET bottles, considering PET bottles’ contribution to ocean pollution, according to new Greenpeace report
Report critically reviews brands’ plastics commitments
New report by the Changing Markets Foundation investigates commitments on plastic packaging made by largest food and consumer goods companies; criticizes consistently failed promises, sees voluntary initiatives as tactics to distract from and avoid responsibility