Interactive and openly available, the Plastic Health Map summarizes human health outcomes of certain plastic-associated chemicals and particles as published by peer-review articles between 1960 and 2021; includes more than 3500 studies for 1557 chemicals; identifies gaps, including only 30% of chemicals have been investigated for health impacts, few studies in low-income countries
September 4, 2023
FPF comment: Canadian pollution prevention notice for plastic food packaging
Food Packaging Forum (FPF) submits comment to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) on the development of a pollution prevention planning notice for food plastic packaging; FPF highlights aspects of chemical safety and circularity for ECCC to consider; primarily (i) chemical migration, (ii) supporting safe reuse, and (iii) standards for compostable materials
August 14, 2023
Plastics stay longer in the ocean than previously estimated, scientists report
3D-model study finds 3,200 kilotonnes of buoyant marine plastic litter in 2020, majority on the surface and >25 mm in size; projects annual growth of 4%; solves mystery on ‘missing’ sink for plastic pollution
August 3, 2023
Canada and Germany propose plans to reduce plastic, support reusable packaging
Canada proposes large grocery retailers implement measures to reduce food contact plastics; includes removing plastics from certain products, reuse/refill, and recycling targets; Germany’s Federal Ministry for the Environment drafted a similar law; Canadian government seeking feedback from stakeholders until August 30, 2023
July 4, 2023
Studies suggest food packaging as exposure source to organophosphate esters
Two groups of scientists analyze occurrence and migration of organophosphate esters (OPEs) from hundreds of Chinese plastic and paper food packaging; one study reports higher concentration of OPEs in plastics and migration of 15 out of 23 targeted OPEs; another study identifies presence of 42 and migration of 26 OPEs and identifies seven new compounds
June 26, 2023
FPF comments on US EPA draft plastics strategy
Food Packaging Forum (FPF) submits comment to US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the draft national strategy to prevent plastic pollution; FPF highlights aspects of food packaging and chemical safety for EPA to consider; primarily (i) how the EPA may be able to support reuse, (ii) encouraging ratification of the Basel Convention; (iii) clarifying “compostable” and “inert”; strategy comment period extended to July 31, 2023
June 13, 2023
Report highlights potential hazards of plastic bottle supply chain
Defend Our Health reports production of PET plastic bottles contaminates air, drinking water, and foodstuffs; incineration and mechanical recycling releases potentially harmful chemicals into environment and recyclate; urges beverage companies to act
June 8, 2023
England bans single-use plastic food contact items
Ban comes into effect October 1, 2023; includes plates, bowls, trays, containers, and cutlery; exemption if items already serve as packaging, such as single-use trays for takeaway meals
June 7, 2023
Report: how to transition from single use to reuse systems
Global Plastics Policy Centre assesses approaches to adopt reuse systems to combat plastic pollution; review contains 320 articles and papers and 55 expert interviews; defines four-phase roadmap for transition
June 6, 2023
Biodegradable polyactic acid does not degrade in marine environment, study finds
Scientists test polylactic acid (PLA) plastic advertised as biodegradable along with standard polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics for degradation in real marine environment; no signs of degradation found after 428 days; researchers say biodegradable might be misleading term
