ECHA director presents interest in a single assessment approach for each substance to minimize burden, harmonize data structure across legislations; DG Environment director outlines EU goals for safer chemicals, leading transition to safe chemicals and non-chemical alternatives
73 mio t of plastic film will be used in 2021
Smithers Rapra publishes a report on the future of global plastic films market; forecasts an annual growth rate of 3-6% and a demand of 73 million metric tons to be reached by 2021
11 US states considering to ban PFAS in food packaging
Safer States releases analysis on anticipated US toxic chemical regulation; 27 states considering policies across more than 180 bills, primary focus on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); 11 states could eliminate PFAS from food packaging
Debut of ‘Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act’ in U.S.
U.S. senators and representatives present wide-ranging bill to address plastic pollution; aims to extend producer responsibility, implement nationwide container refund system, phase out single-use plastic items, increase minimum recycled content
Action and inaction on PFAS in the US federal government
Earthjustice files petition asking US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to revoke approval of 600 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) allowed on the market under exemptions of the Toxic Substances Control Act; represents about half the number of PFAS on the market; EPA extends reach of guidelines for federal purchasing of PFAS-free products; Food and Drug Administration funding bill stripped of reform amendments including federal ban on PFAS in food packaging
EEB priorities for upcoming EU chemical strategy
Non-governmental organization European Environmental Bureau (EEB) publishes position paper setting 8 priorities for upcoming EU Chemical Strategy for Sustainability; calls for revision of food contact materials legislation, creation of chemical substitution forums and technical support centers for small and medium sized businesses, ‘polluter pays’ tax
20 chemicals for swift action by EPA
Environmental Working Group names 20 chemicals for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to review with priority under reformed U.S. chemicals regulation LCSA
Successful packaging initiatives require more than changing materials
Consulting company Gartner Inc. predicts 90% of sustainable packaging commitments will not be met by 2025
Meat packaging producer commits to circularity
Packaging company Sealed Air announces to make all of its plastic packaging, including meat packaging, fully recyclable and reusable by 2025
EDCs in plastics cost the US $250 billion in healthcare annually
Scientists calculate US health care costs caused by a well-studied subset of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in plastics; estimate exposure cost $250 billion in 2018, equivalent to 1.22% of Gross Domestic Product; recommend addressing chemicals of concern in global plastics treaty to reduce disease burden and costs