Report by City to Sea presents requirements for implementing reuse systems in UK; says majority of consumers are receptive to using reusable packaging; Chartered Institution of Waste Management urges UK to take the lead in establishing reuse systems for a circular economy
ECHA: Evaluation of BPA restriction finalized
ECHA’s Committee for Socio-economic Assessment considers benefits of restricting BPA in thermal paper unlikely to be higher than costs; ultimate decision to be taken by European Commission
Associations report European packaging recycling rates
Industry associations report recycling rates of packaging materials in Europe; average collection rate of glass bottles and jars hit 80% in 2020; paper packaging recycling over 80%; paper recycling rates close to theoretical maximum; plastic recycling has not increased despite increased demand by beverage companies; two-thirds of plastic-packaging pledges in Europe failed, supporting the change away from single-use likely necessary
UK moves ahead with plastic packaging tax
Government announces tax on plastic packaging with less than 30% recycled content beginning April 2022; £200 per metric ton set to be charged, exemptions will exist for small quantities
ZWE examines aspects and challenges of sustainable packaging in three reports
Reports by Zero Waste Europe (ZWE) and partners examine decarbonization pathways of beverage containers, urge rethinking single-use glass and transition towards reuse, and investigates the economic viability of reusable food packaging
The Intercept reports on plastic waste trade, industry outlook
Investigative journalist examines the economy and community impacts of plastic waste in Africa; provides overview of recent global regulatory discussions to manage plastic pollution, potential systematic decline of the plastics industry sector
WRAP sets targets for removing single-use packaging in store-sold produce
UK-based organization publishes roadmap to reducing food waste and single-use plastic packaging; targets selling 50% of fruits and vegetables loose by 2030; aims to support retailers and other stakeholders in reaching UK Plastics Pact targets
Report critically reviews socioeconomic assessments
New Economics Foundation publishes report investigating use of discount rates in socioeconomic assessments for industrial chemicals regulations under REACH; recommends considering precautionary principle regardless of economic effects, questions whether effects should be monetized
Opinion: REACH authorizations hinder innovation
ChemSec discusses how authorization of toxic substances under REACH hurts innovation and promotion of safer alternatives
Teleconference to discuss costs of EDC exposure
Teleconference call featuring authors of recently published studies on costs caused by EDCs will take place on March 24, 2015