CEP Panel: 2nd plenary meeting

EFSA’s CEP Panel held 2nd plenary meeting on September 26-27, 2018; new food contact substances, PET recycling processes, evaluation of FCM legislation, updated risk assessment for phthalates discussed

Toxic chemicals in recycled plastics products

New study by environmental health organizations finds brominated flame retardants in children’s food contact articles and other products made of recycled plastics; call against recycling of hazardous waste

‘Next generation’ black plastics for easy sorting

Industry specialist discusses advantages of black plastics detectable by near-infrared light and thus amenable to automatic sorting; an increase in NIR sorting capacities and more awareness among retailers and public needed to decrease black plastics waste

Discussing database on SVHCs in products

Manufacturers criticize ECHA’s proposal for database of SVHCs in products; recycling industry welcomes the idea but is concerned about lack of coverage for products already marketed; ECHA to hold a workshop on SVHC database on October 22-23, 2018

Managing SVHCs in waste for recycling

Dutch Institute for Public Health and Environment publishes guidance on substances of very high concern in waste, proposes decision tree to decide if it is safe to recycle

Opinion: Plastic recycling a ‘false promise’

Engineer estimates U.S. plastic recycling rate below 5% in 2018, calls for ‘real solutions’ to plastic pollution such as reduced production of single-use plastics, implementation of deposit schemes

Beverage carton recycling grows in Europe

Recycling of beverage cartons in the EU reaches 48% in 2017; total recovery rate at 76%

Vision for sustainable beverage packaging

UK report sets vision for sustainable beverage packaging, identifies eight actions for industry and government

EU Parliament supports plastics strategy

European Parliament votes to approve Commission’s plastics strategy, adopts resolution on hazardous chemicals and recycling

German packaging register online

Central German packaging register ‘LUCID’ launched; registration of packaged goods possible until January 1, 2019, when new German packaging law enters into force