EU Commission assesses voluntary pledges made by industry in response to EU strategy for plastics in circular economy; chemical recycling frequently mentioned but rarely included in the volumes of recycled plastic pledged; more information needed on chemicals in plastic waste
March 7, 2019
Circular economy stakeholder conference
European Commission and European Economic and Social Committee host 2019 conference on circular economy, focus on success stories and new challenges
March 6, 2019
Recycled plastics in food contact applications
Smithers Pira publishes white paper discussing use of recycled plastics in food contact applications
March 6, 2019
Safer materials for food packaging
Report by venture capital fund Safer Made identifies innovation needs for safer food packaging, aims to connect companies and investors
March 5, 2019
Plastics research project launches in UK
Kick-off meeting for new Exeter University research project EXeMPlaR brings together variety of different stakeholders; focus on solutions for circular plastics and economy in Southwest England
March 4, 2019
Implementation of EU circular economy plan
EU Commission evaluates implementation of its circular economy plan; all 54 actions outlined in 2015 ‘have now been delivered or are being implemented’
March 4, 2019
EU report on plastics innovations
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
March 4, 2019
Ubuntoo to connect changemakers
New digital platform Ubuntoo aims to promote innovative solutions to ending plastic pollution, seeks to connect ‘changemakers’ working on the issue around the world
March 1, 2019
Enzymatic recycling of PET
CARBIOS announces development of PET bottle made from ‘100% purified terephthalic acid’ obtained by ‘enzymatic biorecycling’ of mixed PET plastic waste, though challenges still remain to produce recycled resin fully comparable to virgin PET
February 28, 2019
NGO warns of toxics in circular economy
Environmental Defense Fund commends recent efforts to advance plastics towards a circular economy, highlights toxic chemicals in virgin plastics as overlooked gap
