Topics
plastics
April 1, 2020
Researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV publish study investigating sources of odors present in recycled low density polyethylene (LDPE); demonstrate reduction of odors through separated collection from household waste, washing at 60 degrees Celsius
Reading time: 1 minute
March 30, 2020
Researchers from Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research identify Pseudomonas bacterium able to break down polyurethane monomer and oligomer; bacterium uses plastic as energy source to fuel process; researchers caution that industrial application still a decade away, focus should remain on preventing plastic pollution
Reading time: 2 minutes
March 27, 2020
European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals (ECETOC) publishes report examining applicability of standard tools, test methods, and models for polymer risk assessment; describes identified technical limitations, gives recommendations for improving test guidelines
Topics: plastics, risk assessment
Reading time: 1 minute
March 27, 2020
American Chemistry Council (ACC) proposes principles for applying mass balance approach in plastics recycling; includes traceability across supply chain and third-party auditing to verify product claims
Reading time: 1 minute
March 26, 2020
Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) releases first progress report towards 2025 goals; provides data from 27 signatories on recycling potential and use of recycled plastics to serve as baseline; data still lacking on reuse, sorting, and quantity of hazardous substances in plastics
Reading time: 1 minute
March 23, 2020
European Academies' Science Advisory Council provides seven recommendations to EU policymakers for transitioning to circular economy; include banning plastic waste exports, extending producer responsibility, ‘end misleading about bio-based alternatives’, limiting additives and resins
Reading time: 2 minutes
March 23, 2020
Public-private partnership sets targets for signatories by 2025; includes designing all packaging to be re-useable or at least recyclable, reducing virgin plastics by 20%, increasing recycling by 25%, having 30% recycled content
Topics: circular economy, plastics
Reading time: 2 minutes
March 13, 2020
Report cautions current regulatory approaches focused on plastics, instead encourages improving careful management of all materials; calls for urgent review of food contact materials, implementation of fiscal measures to reduce use across material types
Reading time: 2 minutes
March 13, 2020
Government announces tax on plastic packaging with less than 30% recycled content beginning April 2022; £200 per metric ton set to be charged, exemptions will exist for small quantities
Topics: plastics, regulation
Reading time: 2 minutes
March 4, 2020
Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimates $150 billion investment needed to address ocean plastic pollution, says solutions are in redesigning products upstream; Pew Charitable Trust to release report detailing cost estimates, launches initiative to find effective strategies
Topics: plastics
Reading time: 2 minutes
