Nations in Southeast Asia collectively working on reducing plastic pollution and related chemical hazards; Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) signs off on project to “combat” marine plastic; Thailand plans ban on plastic scrap imports; new research available on sources of plastic pollution in Indonesia and Vietnam; Vietnam and Singapore implementing stricter chemical regulations; extended producer responsibility for plastic waste becomes law in Philippines
More government action on hazardous chemicals needed
UNEP calls for bolder government regulation of chemicals to boost development of safer compounds and phase out hazardous substances
Code Check on reducing exposure to hazardous food packaging chemicals
Article by product ingredient transparency app Code Check provides overview of some hazardous chemicals that can be present in food packaging; provides tips for reducing exposure
Major retailers set chemical innovation priorities
Retail Leadership Council issues statement outlining priority product categories and chemical classes for safer chemical alternatives in products, sets roadmap for increasing transparency for data sharing between businesses and with consumers
9th Cycle Talk
Greenpeace advocates reuse over plastic recycling
Greenpeace Switzerland publishes statement and report, criticizes increasing focus on plastic collection and recycling; argues this misleads consumers, hinders implementation of reuse and extended producer responsibility, recommends providing necessary infrastructure, adaptation of logistics, implementing reuse and return models
International Conference on Food Nanotechnology, Nanosafety, and Nanotoxicology
Reviews discuss health hazards of plastics including PFAS
Medical professionals elaborate on health hazards connected with plastic production, use, and waste; give options to reduce impacts on humans and the planet; scientists summarize current knowledge on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) occurrence and migration from food packaging and microplastics
Demand for glass packaging growing
European Container Glass Federation reports continuing growth of glass packaging production; European consumers favor glass food and drink packaging, according to Friends of Glass survey
Minnesota bans products containing triclosan for state government
Minnesota stops buying consumer products containing triclosan over safety concerns