Topics
plastics
September 17, 2026
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) manual provides Member States with framework for developing plastic packaging and labeling standards; initiative seeks greater regional harmonization; also releases regional guidebook on phasing out single-use plastics; other harmonization tools under development in 2026
Reading time: 3 minutes
September 15, 2026
Environmental authorities issue 155 show-cause letters to companies over potential non-compliance with extended producer responsibility (EPR) requirements; plastic packaging recovery target rises to 60% in 2026; Philippine rules allow recycling, co-processing, waste-to-energy, and other forms of diversion to count toward targets
Reading time: 2 minutes
September 3, 2026
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) drafts standards for plastic food contact materials (FCMs) intended for child use and for microwave use; Food Packaging Forum (FPF) submits comments highlighting need for stronger chemical safety provisions; raises concerns on limited list of restricted chemicals, potential for regrettable substitutions, chemical safety issues of recycled plastics
Reading time: 3 minutes
July 23, 2026
US study estimates at least 5.1 billion pounds (2.3 million metric tons) of post-consumer plastic recovered for recycling in 2024; overall increase compared with 2022; growth largely driven by plastic film; plastic bottle recovery declined
Reading time: 2 minutes
May 26, 2026
Amendment clarifies terms; prohibits use of DEHP and DEHA in PVC materials; defines criteria for use of post-consumer recycled polypropylene for closed loop recycling
Reading time: 2 minutes
May 14, 2026
China Packaging Federation completes consultation on 2026–2030 industry plan, emphasizing green transformation, improved standards, and global standards recognition; EU and China launch pilot project for closed-loop food contact plastic recycling
Reading time: 1 minute
May 4, 2026
In a commentary, The Lancet Countdown on Health and Plastics outlines the multiple harms of plastic, including micro- and nanoplastics; describes necessary interventions and tracking of measures over time; explains why constructive debate is essential for advancing the science
Reading time: 2 minutes
April 30, 2026
Intergovernmental organization assesses challenges in chemical safety for recycled plastic; proposes regulatory measures to mitigate barriers
Reading time: 3 minutes
April 16, 2026
Modeling by Pew Charitable Trusts and ICF International Inc. predicts annual plastic packaging waste to increase by 31% in the US from 2025 to 2040; municipal waste facilities may not be able to scale with the increase; implementing ambitious reduction, collection, recycling, and reuse measures could reduce waste generation by a third
Reading time: 2 minutes
April 10, 2026
Food Packaging Forum (FPF) submits comments on Health Canada’s approach to prioritizing chemicals in plastics; suggests additional, up-to-date sources; highlights chemical omissions in screening process; recommends development of new chemical risk assessment methodologies
Reading time: 4 minutes
