New US law provides annual funding for waste and recycling management, anti-littering campaigns, new Marine Debris Foundation, innovation prize; supported by chemical and plastics manufactures as needed infrastructure investment, criticized by civil society organizations as not addressing excessive plastic production as root problem
EFSA opinion on PFOA and PFOS in food
EFSA scientific opinion suggests revision of tolerable intake values for two perfluoroalkyl substances
EU environmental ministers want more protective EDC criteria
Environmental ministers of France, Denmark, and Sweden ask Commission to amend proposed EDC criteria to better protect human health and the environment
Environmental toxicity of nanomaterials
German Environment Agency releases reports on aquatic toxicity and environmental fate of nanomaterials
PFOA and PFOS harm immune system
Scientific panel and U.S. National Toxicology Program conclude that PFOA and PFOA are likely hazardous to the human immune system
REACH investigation flags non-compliant companies
German NGO BUND uses freedom of information request to identify substances and companies implicated in incomplete REACH dossiers, calls on ECHA to increase transparency of substance registrations
Where do collected recyclables go?
New York Times addresses China’s ban on waste imports, illustrates impacts on recycling programs in the U.S. and globally
Re-useable bamboo cups tested and criticized
German consumer organization finds high levels of melamine and formaldehyde migration from re-useable bamboo-based cups, condemns misleading labeling advertising them as recyclable and eco-friendly
Food main source of phthalate exposure
German institutions investigate DEHP exposure sources
India allows recycled plastics in food contact
India overturns 2016 amendment to Plastic Waste Management Rules; recycled plastics now allowed in food contact applications; change went into effect six days after official notification was posted