Industry associations report recycling rates of packaging materials in Europe; average collection rate of glass bottles and jars hit 80% in 2020; paper packaging recycling over 80%; paper recycling rates close to theoretical maximum; plastic recycling has not increased despite increased demand by beverage companies; two-thirds of plastic-packaging pledges in Europe failed, supporting the change away from single-use likely necessary
Ongoing efforts to prevent plastic pollution
Pacific island Vanuatu to ban single-use plastic bags and bottles to prevent ocean pollution; Press of Atlantic City calls on visitors and residents of New Jersey shoreline to reduce use of plastic convenience items
BPA linked to increased blood pressure
Study links consumption of canned beverages with BPA lining and acute blood pressure increase
Industry survey on glass packaging and consumers
European Container Glass Federation (FEVE) reports results from recent survey on European consumers; finds increase in glass packaging purchases, decisions being driven increasingly by recyclability and environmental considerations
EC proposes revisions to packaging and waste legislation
European Commission (EC) publishes proposal to revise the EU legislation on packaging and packaging waste; includes mandatory targets for waste reduction, re-use, and minimum recycled content in plastic packaging; based on three problems identified by an impact assessment: growing packaging waste generation, barriers to packaging recycling and re-use, and low recycling quality in plastic packaging
Stakeholders prepare for the second Plastics Treaty negotiation
United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), industry organizations, scientific research groups, and civil society organizations publish flurry of reports and policy briefs in preparation for second meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC-2); meeting takes place in Paris, France May 29 – June 2, 2023
Earth Action report assesses leakage of plastic additives into the environment
Earth Action (EA) publishes report quantifying plastic additives leaking into the environment; estimates more than 6,000,000 tons of additives leak into the environment annually by applying a mathematical modeling approach; briefing paper assesses environmental and human health impacts of plastic additives and discusses ways forward
Microplastics in placentas: occurrence, sources, and effects
Three studies on microplastics and the human placenta; demonstrate particle presence in several intracellular compartments of placentas for the first time; assume breastfeeding and plastic toy usage as microplastic exposure sources to lactating infants; associate placental plastics with reduced fetal growth
Two studies associate microplastic exposure with cancer
Review of occupational health studies finds workplace exposure to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) particles likely induces liver carcinogenicity; research study finds polystyrene nanoplastics to speed up ovarian cancer development in mice
UN publishes Plastics Treaty zero draft
The «zero draft» is a starting point for discussion and amendments ahead of November’s Plastics Treaty negotiation in Kenya; each proposed treaty element includes options of varying ambition; Part II focuses on elements of plastics’ life cycle, including chemicals and polymers of concern; Option 1 imposes strict limitations, Option 2 mandates minimal usage, Option 3 leaves it to national action plans; Annex A provides potential criteria for determining chemicals and polymers of concern, along with options for development and usage within the Treaty