CRI and Reloop collaborate on assessing if there is a correlation between beverage sales and implementation of reuse systems; study is based on real-world empirical data; did not find definitive link
The Daily Show features chemical migration
In segment Count on It Dulcé Sloan interviews experts on ‘the sperm recession;’ reports semen volume, sperm count has declined in last 50 years while erectile dysfunction, testicular cancer has increased; discusses chemical pollution from plastics, personal care products as potential causes
Several studies determine chemical migration from food packaging
Researchers from several European and Chinese institutions develop methods to explore chemicals in food contact materials (FCMs); report styrene migration from different polystyrene FCMs into several food matrices; detect photoinitiators in paper FCMs and chlorinated paraffins in green tea and its packaging; find irradiation treatment of metalized polypropylene to reduce migration of tested chemicals
Draft of EU chemicals strategy shows internal disagreements
Leaked draft version developed by DG Environment and commented on by DG Grow; proposed mixture assessment factor not supported by DG Grow, overall wording requested to be ‘less definitive and committing’; NGOs concerned revisions could place public health behind corporate interests
BPA exposure and obesity
New study investigates in vivo and in vitro exposure to BPA; indicates link between BPA exposure and obesity in women
Plastic bottle recycling in the U.S. decreases slightly
Report by the Association of Plastic Recyclers and the American Chemistry Council shows that PET and HDPE bottle recycling in the U.S. dropped slightly in 2015, while PP bottle recycling increased by nearly 20%
Review finds hundreds of chemicals migrating from recycled and reusable plastic FCMs
Scientists detect 509 food contact chemicals in plastic food contact materials (FCMs) made for reuse; 853 chemicals identified in recycled PET; study points out key knowledge gaps in available hazard data for frequently detected chemicals
Belgian initiatives aim to reduce packaging waste and EDC exposure
New initiative to create reusable packaging system for Flemish region of Belgium; over 80 companies across the food, consumer products, and packaging supply chain sign on; Belgian federal government launching action plan on endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs)
Challenges of biobased plastics for food packaging
Law firm Keller and Heckman LLP publish overview article introducing biobased plastics, discuss definitions, developments, recycling challenges, and applicable legislation
CHE webinar on plastic food packaging
Collaborative on Health and the Environment holds webinar on Plastic food packaging within its Plastics and health series