Updated meeting minutes of EFSA’s CEF Panel working group on recycling plastics now available online
December 19, 2017
PET collection and recycling growing in Europe
Nearly 60% of PET bottles on European market collected for recycling in 2016, according to Petcore Europe report; detailed survey results to be discussed at 2018 Petcore Europe conference
December 11, 2017
Discussing FCM regulation in the EU
Speakers at 2017 Smithers Pira “Plastics & Paper” conference summarize recent developments in EU FCM regulation landscape, discuss EU Commission’s proposal for printed FCMs
November 27, 2017
EU plastics industry commits to circular economy
European plastic industry associations support re-use and recycling goals of EU Commission’s Circular Economy Package, call for separate collection of packaging waste
November 27, 2017
UK may tax single-use plastics
UK government considers taxing disposable plastic items such as coffee cups and takeaway food containers to reduce plastic waste and pollution; call for evidence to be launched in 2018
November 22, 2017
Conference: Sustainability in packaging
Smithers Pira held “Sustainability in Packaging Europe” event on October 24-26, 2017 in Barcelona; speakers addressed plastic and packaging waste, packaging design, food waste, packaging machinery, and food brands’ activities
November 22, 2017
U.S. plastic bottle recycling again decreases
According to annual report by the Association of Plastic Recyclers and the American Chemistry Council, PET and HDPE bottle recycling on decline, while PP bottle recycling increased by 15% in 2016
November 21, 2017
New technology for chemical recycling of PET
EU-funded project DEMETO develops industrial-scale process to chemically break down PET to its building blocks and reintroduce them at the virgin-grade production stage
November 17, 2017
Microplastics in mineral water
Scientists detect microplastics in mineral waters packed in plastic bottles, glass bottles, beverage cartons; highest content found in carbonated water from refillable plastic bottles; packaging is one possible contamination source
November 7, 2017
Call to ban oxo-degradable plastics
Statement from Ellen MacArthur Foundation calls for global ban on oxo-degradable plastic packaging; signatories include major businesses, trade associations, NGOs, scientists and government representatives
