New rule on single-use plastics in France: plates, cutlery, cups to consist of at least 50% biobased materials by 2020
Recent reports on creating more circular food packaging
World Economic Forum (WEF) releases report on the Future of Reusable Consumption Models; aims to clarify “an alternative plastic waste-reduction model… beyond the recycling of waste”; Upstream publishes design principles for reusable packaging materials; The Consumer Goods Forum publishes nine “Golden Design Rules” for plastic packaging to increase recyclability
China seeks input on updated FCM safety standards
The Chinese National Health Commission published two draft proposals for food contact material (FCM) safety standards; focus on general safety standards and silicone rubber FCMs; public consultation open until December 15
Provisional agreement reached on EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation
European Parliament and Council conclude negotiations on packaging and packaging waste regulation (PPWR); bans all PFAS in food packaging; targets at least 10% reusable beverage packaging by 2030; requires deposit return system for plastic and metal beverage containers; packaging reduction targets set to start in 2030
UK to “overhaul” its waste system
UK government announces plans to make major changes to waste system; considers introducing extended producer responsibility, plastic tax, defined materials for recycling, deposit return scheme
Revised waste legislation adopted in the EU
European Council adopts revised waste legislation; rules define recycling targets, extended producer responsibility schemes
Chemical characterization of post-consumer and recycled plastics
Scientists perform target and non-target screening of recycled plastics and provide recommendations on methods; detect >280 organic chemicals and metals in 21 plastic flakes and pellets used in recycling; analyze several recycled polymers and find polyethylene terephthalate (PET) the only one currently complying with European circular economy requirements; compare analytical methods to assess the chemical composition of recyclates giving their strenghts and limitations
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
Push for BPA warning labels in California
Consumer advocates call on Californians to make the State properly enforce warning label rules for canned foods and beverages containing BPA in the can linings
EU court decides on access to environmental information
European Court of Justice decision strengthens public access to data about chemical emissions into the environment; industry association worries about confidentiality of business information