Literature review explores opportunities of bio-based active materials in food packaging applications and the circular economy; demonstrates high research interest in the topic over last 20 years; finds agro-industrial waste as promising, renewable, and environmentally friendly resource for bio-based materials; study finds circular economy to be the focus of perspective articles to mitigate plastic pollution but mismatch with psychosocial research
EFSA colloquium on micro- and nano plastics rescheduled
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) postpones colloquium on micro- and nano-plastics in food to 6-7 May, 2021 in Lisbon, Portugal
Rare earth elements found in FCMs, recycled plastics
Researchers at University of Plymouth find rare earth elements in 24 of 31 tested products including children’s toys, food contact materials (FCMs); highest abundance in plastic recycled from electronic waste; authors suggest plastic recycling process as source for contamination; suggest elements as indicators for presence of other additives such as brominated flame retardants
John Oliver’s Last Week Tonight features plastics
Last Week Tonight episode focuses on plastic recycling, reports only nine percent of all plastics recycled, functioning systems only established for polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene; discusses Basel Convention restricting plastic waste trade, criticizes misleading closed-loop recycling claims; recommends targeted bans, introducing extended producer responsibility schemes
France to harmonize packaging recycling labels
Ruling aims to simplify and harmonize labels placed on packaging within the country; plans to abolish “Green Dot” label and revise “Triman” label to provide specific sorting information to consumers; label guidelines to be released in second half of 2021, potentially come into force January 1, 2022
EPA updates safer chemical ingredients list
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) adds 36 chemicals to Safer Chemical Ingredients List, 22 used in food contact materials; four are classified as chemicals of potential concern according to FPF’s Food Contact Chemicals database
Report summarizes US role in marine plastic pollution
US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine publishes report outlining US contribution and response to global ocean plastic waste; identifies data gaps and recommendations for US policy action across the supply chain; says US should ‘substantially’ reduce waste generation
Kenya Plastics Pact launched
Kenya most recent country to launch a plastics pact within the Ellen Macarthur Foundation’s global initiative; aims to by 2030 achieve 100% reusable or recyclable plastic packaging with 40% effectively recycled and a minimum of 15% recycled content
Health Canada guide on glazed ceramics, glassware regulations
Government agency Health Canada publishes updated industry guide providing relevant information, examples, migration limits, designs for warnings labels; emphasizes that undecorated glassware and ceramics out of scope of regulation
EC gathering experts for chemicals strategy
European Commission (EC) announces creation of expert group to support implementation of EU’s Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability; to be composed of up to 32 members from civil society, scientific, industry, and intergovernmental organizations; applications accepted until March 18, 2021