Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) releases report outlining the goals, considerations, and trade-offs when designing a more ‘sustainable’ plastic product; encourages transparency in chemical composition and manufacturing processes through the supply chain
Carcinogenicity of ‘cocktails’ highlighted
Series of new studies finds mixtures of everyday non-carcinogenic chemicals to be of concern for causing cancer; individual chemicals present at low levels; opportunity for improvement of chemical risk assessment and primary prevention of cancer
EU Parliament bans certain single-use plastics
European Parliament agrees on measures to ban specific single-use plastics in EU by 2021, sets targets for bottle collection and recycled content, extends producer responsibility and labeling
Assessing the circularity of single-use glass
Zero Waste Europe and Eunomia investigate the circularity of single-use container glass in Germany, France, the UK and US; Germany has the highest collection rates for glass and the highest proportion of recycled glass in containers; US is the lowest due to lack of collection facilities and mixed collection of glass with other packaging types; collecting glass separately and by color is the most effective way to increase circularity
Opinion: EPA should not be kept from ruling on BPA and other chemicals of concern
U.S. EPA proposal aiming to prioritize chemicals of concern has been stalled by the U.S. White House Office of Management and Budget since 2010
Walmart removes 8 chemicals of concern from products
U.S. retailer Walmart names 8 high priority chemicals its suppliers must phase out and find alternatives for; list includes among others formaldehyde, phthalates, nonylphenol exthoxylates, and parabens
EEA reviews EU policies and targets for circular economy
European Environment Agency (EEA) publishes report analyzing results from survey of 32 EU countries on policies in place for transition to a circular economy; identifies lack of target setting across region, shifting role of government, broadened focus on circular economy perspective
Deciphering the differences in plastic particles reported in foods
Two studies investigate micro- and nanoplastics measured in foods; review the range of reported values and diversity of study methods; make suggestions to standardize research methodologies; one study outlines additional standards the micro – nanoplastics research community needs to develop in order to assist regulators
Long-term migration from PVC coating
FDA scientists question utility of long-storage migration testing conditions; find increasing migration of benzoguanamine with longer storage
Webinar on substituting hazardous chemicals
ChemSec held webinar on online tool Marketplace, HCPP project; alternatives assessment for phthalates by Northwest Green Chemistry presented