Topics
recycling
March 8, 2022
150 chemicals have been measured to migrate from PET bottles into drinks; 18 chemicals exceed EU migration limits, only 41 included in EU’s regulations on plastic food contact materials; most migrating chemicals are non-intentionally added substances (NIAS); systematic review includes 91 studies
Reading time: 2 minutes
February 24, 2022
Researchers investigate packaging use and recycling as well as improvement options; find globalization and time-deprived society to majorly drive food packaging use and recommend economic degrowth to reduce use; report 11% of Spain’s plastic waste efficiently recycled, well below official reports from waste management companies; emphasize need to change material and packaging design to reach circularity targets
Reading time: 4 minutes
February 7, 2022
Advertising Standards Authority informs Pepsi Lipton International and Aqua Pura their “100% recycled” and “eco-friendly” labeling breaches advertising code; advertising implies the whole beverage container made from recycled materials even though cap and label are from virgin material; argue that eco-friendly label needs evidence
Reading time: 0 minutes
January 31, 2022
More than 40 representatives of the European public discuss concerns with EU institutions; panel on climate change and health adopts 51 recommendations for the EU; includes recommendation for ‘swift elimination of non-sustainable packaging’
Reading time: 0 minutes
January 26, 2022
Wall Street Journal (WSJ) article discusses changing attitudes towards plastic in home kitchens; outlines the relatively recent history of plastic in the kitchen and recent cultural shifts towards using more reusable materials for storing and transporting food; FPF compares different reusable options, consumers encouraged to not forget about chemical migration and impacts on human health
Reading time: 3 minutes
January 19, 2022
Food Packaging Forum (FPF) comments on EU draft regulation for recycled plastics FCMs; exemptions for the risk assessment of “incidental contamination” and for pre-market assessment of novel technologies likely to increase hazardous chemical exposure for the general public
Reading time: 2 minutes
December 13, 2021
Consulting company Gartner Inc. predicts 90% of sustainable packaging commitments will not be met by 2025
Reading time: 1 minute
December 9, 2021
Scientists develop automated non-target approach to identify and risk assess unknown chemicals in food contact plastics; detect over 300 chemical features and tentatively identify 83 compounds in a recycled polyethylene film used as proof-of-concept
Reading time: 2 minutes
December 8, 2021
European Commission (EC) proposes regulation simplifying the process for the development, certification, and use of recycled plastic food contact materials (FCMs) in the EU; would replace earlier regulation (EC) No 282/2008; open for public comment until January 10, 2022
Reading time: 2 minutes
November 23, 2021
Finds global virgin plastic production for signatory brands and retailers has likely peaked; progress so far driven by recycling, but warns recycling is not the solution and elimination of single-use packaging urgently needed; separate reports find US polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle recycling rates decreasing and Australia not meeting plastic recycling targets
Reading time: 2 minutes