Workshop on environmental impact of plastic packaging

Euractiv workshop explored opportunities and challenges in developing eco-friendly alternatives to single-use plastic food packaging; summary video available online

Plastics and paper conference 2018

Smithers Pira’s conference on ‘Plastics & paper in contact with foodstuffs’ to take place on December 3-6, 2018, in Vienna; registration open

More toxic chemicals in recycled plastics products

Environmental NGOs find brominated dioxins in children’s toys, highlight need to avoid recycling of materials containing hazardous chemicals

Germany to tackle plastic waste

German Environment Ministry presents 5-point plan to limit plastic waste, suggests measures to reduce plastic consumption, increase recycling, clean up environment

ECHA: Microplastics likely end up in soil and freshwater

ECHA’s risk assessment finds intentionally added microplastics more likely to accumulate in terrestrial and freshwater environments than in oceans

No higher limit for PBDEs in recycled plastics

EU Parliament adopts POPs Regulation Recast but rejects amendment to increase maximum concentration limit for persistent organic pollutants such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers in recycled plastics

Turkey to adopt new regulation on plastic FCMs

Turkey notifies World Trade Organization of new regulation on plastic materials and articles in contact with food; comments accepted until January 14, 2019

Quality-marked PET bottles to contain more recyclate

German quality label RAL Gütezeichen intends to increase average recycled content in PET beverage packaging to 50% by 2022

How can EU reach ambitious recycling goals?

Special report by Euractiv discusses Europe’s new waste laws and how extended producer responsibility and deposit return schemes can help EU countries reach recycling targets

CEP Panel: 3rd plenary meeting

EFSA’s CEP Panel held 3rd plenary meeting on October 23-25, 2018, with open sessions; new PET recycling processes, food contact chemicals, updated risk assessment for 5 phthalates discussed