Letter from stakeholders including civil society groups and actor Mark Ruffalo asks UK ministers to restrict per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in paper and board food packaging; petition to UK supermarkets collecting public signatures
Consumer perspectives on switching to reusable packaging
Four recent studies explore how to switch to reusable packaging; concerns related to hygiene and return logistics are barriers identified by all studies; cultural and socio-economic factors, the food items, and the setting play major role in the successful rollout; consumer desirability, business viability, sustainability, and technical feasibility are interlocked, and their combined analysis can support the roll-out of reuse systems
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
UK to introduce bottle deposit system
UK government announces introduction of deposit return scheme for single-use drinks containers made of plastic, glass, metal; planned scheme subject to consultation later in 2018
UK supermarket removes plastic packaging
UK retailer Iceland to replace plastic packaging of own-brand products with paper and pulp by 2023; supports initiatives for plastic bottle deposit return scheme
UK to tax plastic packaging
UK government plans introducing tax on all plastic packaging containing less than 30% recycled content by April 2022
UK rejects ban on SVHCs in food packaging
UK government rejects earlier recommendation from committee report to ban Substances of Very High Concern from food contact materials
UK announces approach for circular economy package
Adopts most of the text previously agreed while EU member; outlines small technical changes from Waste Framework Directive, confirms intention to continue transition towards a circular economy
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