Consultancy McKinsey & Company publishes paper on consumers’ views towards sustainability in packaging, as influenced by COVID 19 pandemic; urges more focus on proactive communication with consumers and supply chain partners, holistic approach to sustainability and hygiene requirements
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
EASAC report on plastic packaging and circular economy
European Academies’ Science Advisory Council provides seven recommendations to EU policymakers for transitioning to circular economy; include banning plastic waste exports, extending producer responsibility, ‘end misleading about bio-based alternatives’, limiting additives and resins
U.S. recycling developments state by state
Waste Dive tracks daily changes to recycling schemes in each of the 50 U.S. states, expects continued turbulence as local governments adapt to international changes
Pandemic providing opportunity for packaging innovation, resilience
Episode of The Indisposable Podcast discusses coronavirus pandemic and how reusable packaging could expand and innovate to help businesses protect public health, save money, and increase resilience; argue that a shift backward to single-use packaging not needed
New York restaurants oppose ban on plastic foam food packaging
Petition launched by New York City restaurants to reverse ban on plastic foam food packaging; Restaurant Action Alliance and packaging manufacturer sue the city over ban
Plastics identified as source of legal liability
Minderoo Foundation finds liabilities from the health and environmental effects of microplastics and plastic-related chemicals to be worth more than $20 billion in the US by 2030; potentially up to $100 billion in liabilities expected by 2030 with the number expected to increase in the future; article published by the American Bar Association focuses on potential corporate liabilities from micro- and nanoplastics in particular
European Commission reports on public consultation about FCM revision
European Commission (EC) publishes final report on consultation period concerning FCM policy revision; results feature citizens’ and stakeholder’s opinions on extent of FCM policy; Commission adoption planned for second quarter of 2023
Edible six-pack rings
U.S. companies develop six-pack rings for beer cans made from barley and wheat; claim product is biodegradable, compostable and edible for humans and wildlife
EU could apply tax on non-recycled plastic packaging waste
European Council agrees €0.80 tax per kilogram on non-recycled plastic packaging waste starting January 1, 2021; exact law still needs to be developed and then approved by European Parliament and Council of the EU