European Commission hosts multi-stakeholder conference on chemicals policy; discusses setting criteria for green and sustainable chemistry, chemicals in the circular economy, and fair competition from foreign manufacturers
Effects of microplastics on fish
Polystyrene microplastics inhibit hatching, decrease growth rates, and alter feeding preferences and innate behaviors of European perch, according to new Science study
EEB challenges ECHA to 10 REACH improvements
European Environmental Bureau recommends tasks for ECHA to increase transparency, enable precautionary principle, allocate burden of proof onto industry, promote substitution; plans to evaluate and communicate on progress made in one year
Washington state publishes PFAS action plan
Department of Ecology (DoE) for US state of Washington publishes final PFAS chemical action plan; outlines recommendations to reduce impacts of PFAS on public and environmental health; focuses on consumer products, drinking water, waste streams, environmental concentrations
Calls to upgrade U.S. recycling system
U.S. House Committee discusses needs for improving plastic recycling in U.S.; only 9% of all plastics currently being recycled, 92% of consumers unsure or misinformed about recyclability of plastic products
25 years of green chemistry
Article in The Guardian summarizes most important advancements in green chemistry; hosts Green Chemistry Conference on November 2, 2016
NGOs launch FCM policy brief, newsletter
Zero Waste Europe publishes policy brief reviewing hazardous chemicals in food packaging, proposing EU policy changes to address them; partners launch newsletter providing updates on key legislation and related food contact material (FCM) resources
Chinese TV reports banned plasticizer in plastic food wrap
China Central TV collects plastic wrapped products in supermarkets, finds high levels of DEHA in majority of samples
Nordic Council promotes sustainable plastic use
The Nordic Council of Ministers presents new program containing six strategic goals to reduce environmental impact of plastic
Survey reveals Asian consumers’ concerns on packaging sustainability
Consultancy McKinsey & Company presents results from survey on consumers’ attitudes towards packaging and concerns around sustainability in ten emerging markets; finds greatest consumer concern in China, India and Indonesia; suggests as first action to decrease packaging complexity, reduce unnecessary packaging, exchange multi- with mono-layer materials