Swiss and Austrian researchers show that soil microorganisms fully metabolize biodegradable polymer polybutylene adipate terephthalate; European Bioplastics deems doubts about biodegradable plastics clarified
Renewable carbon for sustainable chemical industry
Position paper by nova-Institute highlights why chemical and plastics industry should switch to renewable carbon sources and illustrates how this could be achieved
Opinion: Unlearn how to waste plastics
Article by Environmental Health News discusses increasing challenge of plastic waste driven by economic pressure and growth; recycling and bioplastics deemed ‘simple solutions’ incapable of meeting problem’s scale
EU environment committee votes on plastics strategy
EU Parliament’s Environment Committee supports EU Commission’s overall plans for plastics in circular economy, suggests further measures on microplastics, single-use plastics, hazardous chemicals
UK retailer to phase out non-recyclable plastics by 2019
UK supermarket chain Tesco aims to ban non-recyclable plastic packaging by 2019, move towards closed loop system
Many unknowns about biodegradable plastics
New scientific review points out shortcomings in biodegradability standards for plastics; lack of toxicity testing; no account for effects of plastic additives, microplastics formation
What chemicals are in plastic packaging?
Research project on hazardous chemicals in plastic packaging identifies substances most hazardous for human health and environment; many knowledge gaps remain; first results presented at SETAC Europe
EU Parliament’s draft resolution on plastics
EU Parliament’s Environment Committee publishes draft resolution on EU strategy for plastics in circular economy; deadline for tabling amendments May 3, 2018
PEF production expected by 2023-2024
Company Synvina plans to operate commercial reference plant to produce FDCA, main building block for PEF, by 2023-2024
New material and packaging solutions for a circular economy
Ellen MacArthur Foundation reveals all winners of New Plastics Economy Innovations Prize; 11 innovators awarded for new recyclable and compostable material and packaging solutions