Topics
recycling
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
July 21, 2026
UK government releases 2027 recyclability assessment methodology; large packaging producers legally required to use it; rates packaging as red, amber or green; automatic red in case of electrical components, chemicals of concern, non-compliant inks, PFAS, non-compliant food contact materials, restricted packaging formats including certain single-use plastics; first-year reporting highlights challenges improving packaging recyclability
Reading time: 3 minutes
July 16, 2026
Indonesia's food and drug authority (BPOM) adopts new regulation on food contact materials (FCMs); establishes migration requirements for different packaging materials; introduces extensive positive and negative lists for food contact chemicals; positive list includes problematic chemicals like bisphenol A (BPA); explicit provisions for reusable and recycled food packaging; creates pathway for approval of new food contact chemicals and materials
Reading time: 3 minutes
June 26, 2026
UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) publishes report on food safety aspects of recycled plastic and alternative food contact materials (FCMs); Food Packaging Forum (FPF) writes letter to FAO highlighting several concerns over report’s framing, interpretation of science, and risk assessment approaches
Topics: recycling, regulation
Reading time: 2 minutes
June 10, 2026
California law to only allow recyclability labels on packaging if > 60% of the population has access to suitable recycling facilities goes into effect October 2026; packaging and food industry suing that law is a violation of company free speech
Reading time: 2 minutes
May 27, 2026
Deposit return system, volta, launches in Portugal ahead of new EU packaging rules; plastic and metal beverage containers collected for recycling at automated collection terminals; glass and reuse omitted
Reading time: 1 minute
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
April 30, 2026
Intergovernmental organization assesses challenges in chemical safety for recycled plastic; proposes regulatory measures to mitigate barriers
Reading time: 3 minutes
February 11, 2026
European investigation sheds light on chemical recycling practices; questions whether chemical recycling is a sustainable approach; shows examples of potentially misleading green claims using mass balance approaches
Reading time: 3 minutes
