Nigerian states of Lagos and Abia ban single-use polystyrene foam packaging “with immediate effect”; give three weeks to use up current stock; other single use plastic products will be targeted later in 2024; federal Ministry of Environment also banning single-use plastics at headquarters and agencies
May 9, 2023
Oregon passes bills to reduce plastic pollution, PFAS
US state of Oregon passes bill to reduce plastic, ban PFAS in food packaging, and to amend health regulations around reusables; SB 543 phases out polystyrene foam dishware, packing peanuts, and coolers, also prohibits the use of PFAS in food packaging; SB 545 will make it easier for restaurants to offer reusable containers to customers
March 15, 2023
Vietnam taxes single-use Styrofoam and non-biodegradable packaging
Ministry of Justice proposes tax increase on non-biodegradable packaging and new tax on single-use expanded polystyrene food packaging
March 2, 2022
EC seeks stakeholder information on styrene migration
European Commission (EC) opens consultation period on the use of styrene as a food contact material; considering developing migration limit for styrene into food; stakeholder survey open until April 11, 2022
May 18, 2021
Washington State passes comprehensive plastics legislation
Governor for US state of Washington signs Senate Bill 5022; bans expanded polystyrene foam takeaway containers by June 2024; beginning January 1, 2022 all single-use service ware only given to customers upon request; adds minimum recycled content requirement to many plastic containers and trash bags; no longer requires triangular arrow recycle symbol on hard plastic products
March 25, 2021
Virginia bans polystyrene and single-use plastics
US state governor passes legislation banning polystyrene foam food packaging partially by 2023 and fully by 2025; sets penalty of $50 a day, civil organizations to be exempted; signed executive order regulating phase-out of non-reusable plastics from public institutions by July 21, 2021
October 16, 2020
Process to recycle polystyrene for food contact applications
Mechanical recycling process developed by Styrenics Circular Solutions (SCS) passes set of tests to ensure removal of impurities; will be submitted to European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for review
August 7, 2019
Polystyrene microplastic and intestinal tissue
Experimental study examined uptake and effects of polystyrene microplastic on human intestinal cells and on mice; finds no relevant acute health risks to mammals
June 3, 2019
Vermont and California legislation on single-use packaging
Bills in both states aim to curb the use of single-use packaging and products; Vermont bans polystyrene packaging, plastic bags, straws; California to reduce waste from single-use packaging and products by 75%, require recyclability or compostability
May 9, 2019
Law firm questions Prop 65 recommendation
Keller and Heckman LLP perplexed by recommendation included in California state fact sheet on styrene under Proposition 65
