Topics
polystyrene
June 3, 2026
Ghana to ban polystyrene foam products nationwide effective January 2027; covers virtually all applications including food contact materials (FCMs); products used for medical, scientific, laboratory and diagnostic purposes exempt
Reading time: 1 minute
March 19, 2025
Scientists of the Food Packaging Forum (FPF) comment on public consultation on re-assessment of public health risks related to plastic food contact materials containing styrene; find the draft opinion’s scope is insufficient; raise concerns about reliance on industry-funded research and lack of transparency
Reading time: 2 minutes
June 20, 2024
New study examines long-term effects of polystyrene (PS) nanoplastics on mitochondrial health under realistic exposure conditions; repeated exposure to PS nanoplastics impaired mitochondrial function and cell differentiation process, possibly linked to metabolic disorders, such as diabetes and obesity; other recent studies found that PS micro- and nanoplastics negatively affect immune function, pregnancy outcomes, and gut health in various models
Reading time: 3 minutes
June 17, 2024
Study of colon cancer cell lines finds polystyrene micro and nanoplastic particles (MNPs) can be absorbed into cancerous cells in experimental settings; the more aggressive cell line absorbed the most MNPs and presence of MNPs increased cell movement; evidence of persistence and bioaccumulation; authors argue MNPs fit criteria as substance of concern under REACH
Reading time: 3 minutes
February 7, 2024
Nigerian states of Lagos and Abia ban single-use polystyrene foam packaging “with immediate effect”; give three weeks to use up current stock; other single use plastic products will be targeted later in 2024; federal Ministry of Environment also banning single-use plastics at headquarters and agencies
Reading time: 2 minutes
May 9, 2023
US state of Oregon passes bill to reduce plastic, ban PFAS in food packaging, and to amend health regulations around reusables; SB 543 phases out polystyrene foam dishware, packing peanuts, and coolers, also prohibits the use of PFAS in food packaging; SB 545 will make it easier for restaurants to offer reusable containers to customers
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March 15, 2023
Ministry of Justice proposes tax increase on non-biodegradable packaging and new tax on single-use expanded polystyrene food packaging
Reading time: 1 minute
March 2, 2022
European Commission (EC) opens consultation period on the use of styrene as a food contact material; considering developing migration limit for styrene into food; stakeholder survey open until April 11, 2022
Reading time: 1 minute
May 18, 2021
Governor for US state of Washington signs Senate Bill 5022; bans expanded polystyrene foam takeaway containers by June 2024; beginning January 1, 2022 all single-use service ware only given to customers upon request; adds minimum recycled content requirement to many plastic containers and trash bags; no longer requires triangular arrow recycle symbol on hard plastic products
Reading time: 1 minute
March 25, 2021
US state governor passes legislation banning polystyrene foam food packaging partially by 2023 and fully by 2025; sets penalty of $50 a day, civil organizations to be exempted; signed executive order regulating phase-out of non-reusable plastics from public institutions by July 21, 2021
Reading time: 1 minute
