Peer-reviewed study estimates total amounts of mis-managed plastic waste, includes domestic illegal dumping and waste exports to foreign recyclers; finds US produces greatest amount of plastic waste per capita, potentially third largest source worldwide of ocean plastics; recommends reduction of plastic production, product re-designs
Studies assess PFAS, OPEs, and plasticizers in paper & board
Review summarizes per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) migration from paper food packaging into food and food simulants and identifies dietary exposure of PFAS as potential human health risk; study highlights need to further evaluate organophosphate esters (OPEs) and prohibited PFAS in paper and aluminum foil food packaging; scientists analyze and recommend extraction method to assess plasticizers in recycled paperboard
EU bans recycling of materials containing PBDEs
EU withdraws exemption under Stockholm Convention that allowed recycling of materials containing the brominated flame retardants tetrabromodiphenyl ether (tetraBDE) and pentabromodiphenyl ether (pentaBDE)
EFSA opinion on wood flour and fibres
EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids (CEP) concludes that information supporting the current authorization of wood flour and fibres for use in plastic food contact materials is ‘insufficient’; criteria for future evaluations of plant materials for use as plastics additives address migration and toxicological evaluation of migrants
Controversy over TTIP
Greenpeace leaks TTIP negotiation documents implying risks for environment and public health; EU Commissioner for trade asserts that trade deal will not lower EU standards
Plastics in a circular economy: research status, environmental leakage, food safety hazards
Recent studies perform semi-systematic review of published circular economy literature focusing on plastics over past 21 years, develop framework for plastics in circular economy; find Dutch food packaging plastic waste polluting oceans, question effectiveness of recycling; summarize chemical and microbial hazards related to circular food production systems
Draft 15th amendment to EU plastic FCM regulation
EU Commission drafting new amendment for EU Regulation 10/2011 on plastic FCMs; authorizes new substances, decreases non-detect migration limits, adds migration limits for elements and metals
Microplastics in mineral water
Scientists detect microplastics in mineral waters packed in plastic bottles, glass bottles, beverage cartons; highest content found in carbonated water from refillable plastic bottles; packaging is one possible contamination source
Recycling of flexible polyethylene
Plastics Recyclers Europe publishes paper identifying key barriers to increasing recycling of flexible polyethylene films, calls for harmonized collection and sorting as well as design for recycling guidelines
List of biocide suppliers published
ECHA makes available the list of active biocidal substances on the EU market including the substance or product suppliers