Independent testing and certification organization announces new voluntary standard for recycled materials in products with minimum 20% recycled content; standard applies to entire supply chain, inspects social, environmental, chemical practices, restricts use of SVHCs, other substances of environmental and health concern
October 8, 2019
Calls for reduced production instead of increased recycling
Greenpeace calls for reduction of single-use plastic production rather than promotion of recycling solutions; Plastic Pollution Coalition argues for promoting reuse rather than recycling; U.S. lawmakers discuss new bills under Save Our Seas Act, receive similar calls from stakeholders to favor reduction
October 4, 2019
Coca-Cola bottle made of marine plastics
Company presents trial bottle with 25% of ‘recovered and recycled marine plastics’ content
October 1, 2019
EFSA working group updates: September 2019
Minutes from recent meetings of the EFSA working groups on BPS, BPA, FCMs, phthalates, and recycling plastic available
September 23, 2019
Plastics value chain stakeholders sign declaration
Over 100 stakeholders commit to reaching target to annually use 10 million tons of recycled plastics in new products in Europe by 2025; Coca-Cola executive discusses need for a call to action within the industry; ACC publishes infographic on chemical recycling
September 20, 2019
EC’s meeting with European FCM industry
EU Commission presents ongoing work in FCM field to professional associations; amendments to recycling plastics regulation and specific measure on ‘glymo’ in preparation; authorization of recycling processes expected by Q3 2020; final publication of updated EFSA opinion on phthalates in FCMs expected soon
September 19, 2019
California legislature passes recycling bills
New bills require 50% recycled content in containers within deposit program by 2030; businesses to provide customers with recycling containers on their establishments; further bills to be discussed in 2020
September 10, 2019
California modifies draft circular economy bill
State lawmakers adapt proposed legislation on single use packaging and recycling following stakeholder discussions, keep target for 75% recycling rate by 2030, add language regarding material neutral treatment and use of a stakeholder advisory panel
September 2, 2019
PET recycling will not meet brand commitments
National Association for PET Container Resources concludes that U.S. PET recycling rates too low to meet brand commitments for recycled content; calls for action, including improving collection
September 2, 2019
Tesco to exclude brands with non-recyclable packaging
UK supermarket chain announces it will reserve right to not list brands with too much non-recyclable packaging starting in 2020; non-recyclable materials in own brands to be eliminated
