Survey by Trivium Packaging of 15,000 consumers in Europe and the Americas finds demand for sustainable packaging remains high; 66% of respondents consider sustainable packaging materials important, 86% of consumers aged 18-44 willing to pay more for such products, 74% interested in buying refillable packaging; found purchasing behaviors aligned with values
New standardization proposal on reusable plastic tableware for food use
The European Standardisation Committee on Plastics approves new work item proposal on reusable plastic tableware; withstanding five dishwashing cycles set as a new criterion for labeling plastic tableware as reusable
Microplastics in table salt
News study finds micrcoplastics in sea salts, lake salts, and rock/well salts commercially available in China; other contamination sources in addition to plastic ocean pollution likely
ECHA survey identifies drivers and barriers of chemical substitution
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) publishes report on motivations for companies to substitute hazardous chemicals; greatest drivers found to be regulatory restrictions under REACH, customer demand, internal sustainability strategies
Regulation drives substitution of SVHCs
ECHA-commissioned study shows that REACH is important driver for substitution of hazardous chemicals in the EU; more resources and infrastructure required; education on substitution, collaboration within supply chains need improvement
French ban on disposable plastic tableware
New rule on single-use plastics in France: plates, cutlery, cups to consist of at least 50% biobased materials by 2020
Webinar on drivers for change in FCMs
Chemical Watch webinar to discuss challenges, trends, and opportunities in food contact materials (FCMs); include presentations from Nestlé and HAVI
Nestlé and Havi: Drivers for change in FCMs and packaging
EDC criteria: Latest revision and next meeting
EU Commission publishes latest version of revised criteria to identify endocrine disruptors; NGOs and industry still dissatisfied with proposed criteria; next expert meeting, and possible vote, to be held February 28, 2017
Round table discussion on food packaging in the circular economy
EU Parliament holds meeting on best practices, health and environmental impact, challenges and opportunities of food packaging systems