Topics
plastics
May 30, 2025
Study investigates commodity global plastic flows across production, trade, and waste management in 2022; finds that of 400 million tonnes, less than 10% come from recycling and less than 2 % from bio-based feedstocks; single-use packaging as biggest contributor to plastic waste
Reading time: 2 minutes
April 28, 2025
Regulation amending several EU regulations on plastic food contact material (FCMs) entered into force on March 16, 2025; broadens scope, addresses non-intentionally added substances, and introduces labeling requirements for repeated use plastic articles
Reading time: 3 minutes
March 12, 2025
Safer States’ 2025 Analysis of State Legislation Addressing Toxic Chemicals and Plastics shows at least 32 US states will likely consider regulations to reduce, eliminate, or improve the transparency of toxic chemicals and plastics in 2025
Reading time: 1 minute
March 10, 2025
Scientists analyze a diversity of food samples available on the Belgian market for the presence of 110 printing ink and adhesive chemicals; detect target compounds in 39 out of 52 samples; chemicals include suspect carcinogen and caprolactam above legislative limit; while there is no European printing ink regulation, national positive lists exist for Switzerland and Germany
Reading time: 3 minutes
March 6, 2025
Article published in Communications Earth & Environment explores plastics in food systems as a major driver of plastic and chemical pollution; calls for this to be reflected across food systems discussions, greater monitoring efforts and interdisciplinary research to close knowledge gaps; harmonized and whole system approach needed to avoid unintended consequences of future policies; next UN-led negotiations for a global plastics treaty in August 2025 present a key opportunity to address this issue
Reading time: 2 minutes
February 24, 2025
Two studies compare (toxic) chemicals found in recycled versus virgin plastics; recycled plastics have elevated levels of chemicals of concern, e.g., of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and higher hazard index; decontamination measures during recycling processes are key to reducing chemical toxicity; scientists provide five policy strategies to tackle hazardous chemicals in recycled plastics
Reading time: 4 minutes
February 3, 2025
European Parliament and World Economic Forum hold sessions discussing the best approaches to plastic regulation after failed global plastics treaty negotiations; agree plastic is a problem, but disagree on how to address it; debate roles of businesses, governments, and international community in future legislations
Reading time: 4 minutes
January 16, 2025
Consumer project Plasticlist analyzes hundreds of food and beverage samples from the California Bay Area for 18 plastic chemicals; finds plastic chemicals in 86% of samples; highly processed foods contain more plastic chemicals; questions whether regulatory limits adequately protect human health; calls for further research
Reading time: 3 minutes
December 19, 2024
Study assesses migration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC) and polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) into olive oil; migration depends on plastic type, PAH type and temperature - being highest for PE, alkylated compared to non-alkylated PAHs, and at 125 °C compared to 20 °C, respectively
Reading time: 2 minutes
December 17, 2024
Fifth and planned final session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution took place in Busan, Republic of Korea on Nov 25 to Dec 2, 2024; no agreement was reached on the treaty text; extra session to continue negotiations being planned for sometime in 2025
Reading time: 3 minutes
