Spirits manufacturer set to replace material used across its brands globally, first new bottles to reach markets in 2023; polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) based plastic reported to biodegrade across environmental compartments within 18 months
Revision of EU drinking water directive
EU Commission releases proposal for revision of EU drinking water directive, provides updated standards for chemical contaminants including BPA and PFASs; public consultation open until March 30, 2018
UN tackles marine plastic pollution
United Nations Environment Programme launches global campaign to eliminate ocean plastic pollution; calls on governments, industry, and consumer to take action and reduce plastic use
New York: Bloomberg to propose ban of polystyrene food packaging
New York’s mayor Bloomberg tries to increase plastic recycling through banning plastic foam food packaging
Questions surround French deposit scheme
Pending introduction of a deposit-return scheme for bottles in France raising questions by stakeholders; applicable materials, functioning, and cost distributions not yet clear
Socio-economic analysis of persistent pollutants
DG GROWTH publishes report on persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) and very persistent, very bioaccumulative (vPvB) substances, detailing ‘stock pollution’ approach to socio-economic analysis of such substances subject to REACH authorization and restriction in the EU
Polystyrene FCM recycling not economical
Video explains why expanded polystyrene from food contact uses is not commonly recycled in the U.S.A.
Opinion: EC guilty of EDC delays
Article in Le Monde critically discusses European Commission’s impact assessment on criteria to identify EDCs; final EDC criteria expected on June 15, 2016
Scientists review state of edible films and coatings
Two new reviews investigate types, properties, and application of edible films and coatings applied on food; reuse of food waste to protect fresh food; addition of nanomaterials identified to further increase mechanical and barrier properties of edible films
Review on mechanical recycling of plastic packaging
Article in peer-reviewed journal provides thorough overview of mechanical recycling processes by polymer, discusses chemical additives used; concludes mechanical recycling will remain most effective method to recycle plastics