Food Packaging Forum to co-host event on September 12, 2019 in Gothenburg, Sweden presenting results from multi-year research project on chemicals in plastic packaging; registration open to attend in person or via live webinar
August 22, 2019
SEA of Solutions Week and Plasticity Conference
UN Environment hosts first annual conference week focusing on plastic pollution on November 11-15, 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand; themed days to focus on different discussion topics; event aims to become key exchange platform on the issue
August 21, 2019
Recycling ocean bound HDPE for food contact
U.S. Food and Drug Administration issues letter of non-objection to Envision Plastics for use of recycled high density polyethylene waste plastic collected from rivers in food contact articles
August 21, 2019
OECD to develop sustainable plastics criteria
Report to be published by end of 2020 will offer tools to help compare sustainability trade-offs, discourage use of hazardous chemicals; OECD has multiple other plastics-related projects currently underway
August 20, 2019
Basel Convention’s “Partnership on Plastic Waste”
International convention announces multi-stakeholder partnership to prevent and improve management of plastic waste, particularly for single-use plastics; focuses on better design of plastics to increase durability, re-usability, avoid hazardous substances
August 19, 2019
EU authorizes new substance in plastic FCMs
European Commission amends EU 10/2011 regulation on plastic food contact materials, authorizes use of poly((R)-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-(R)-3-hydroxyhexanoate) for contact with dry or solid foods
August 15, 2019
Japan notifies WTO of positive list
Ministry notifies World Trade Organization of planned positive list system for food-contact plastics; separate lists for base polymer plastics, coatings, minor monomers; notification open for comments until October 8, 2019; system enters into force June 2020
August 15, 2019
Aquafina, Dasani water in aluminum cans
Beverage manufacturers PepsiCo and Coca-Cola both plan to release their flagship water brands in new packaging, including aluminum cans and bottles; new packaging to be rolled out in the U.S. through 2020
August 6, 2019
Mercosur positive list for FCM plastic additives
Latin American trade bloc publishes resolution defining additives allowed in food contact material plastics and polymeric coatings; aligns with EU regulations, defines specific migration limits, usage restrictions
August 5, 2019
Plastic Health Summit conference
Conference on October 3, 2019, in Amsterdam to focus on reviewing current scientific research in micro- and nanoplastics, plastic additives, and health; registration and program available online
