On October 17, 2024, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published an updated scientific opinion on the safety of silicon dioxide (E 551) as a food additive. Commonly used as an anti-caking agent, E 551 prevents powdered foods from clumping together and is widely permitted in the EU for various food products, including those intended…
In a bid to raise awareness about recycling on-the-go packaging, environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful (KSB) has initiated an eight-week campaign aimed at encouraging people to dispose of their packaging waste in the correct recycling bins. Supported by Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Great Britain (CCEP), the campaign seeks to reduce litter and improve recycling habits across…
The UK non-profit organization, Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), is pressing the UK Government to enforce a ban on plastic packaging for uncut fresh fruits and vegetables in retail. This recommendation is part of WRAP’s broader strategy to cut down on food and plastic waste, aiming to reduce the UK’s overall environmental impact by…
Germany’s aluminium industry has been seeing significant strides in both growth and innovation, with a new initiative aiming to take it even further. Aluminium Deutschland, IG Metall, and IGBCE, along with five German federal states and various social partners, have launched the German Aluminium Alliance. This alliance focuses on advancing the country’s aluminium sector towards…
Tris(4-nonylphenyl) Phosphite (TNPP), commonly used as an antioxidant in plastics and rubber, has been proposed for classification as a Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC) by French authorities. This is due to its degradation into 4-nonylphenol, a known endocrine disruptor. What is Tris(4-nonylphenyl) Phosphite (TNPP)? Tris(4-nonylphenyl, branched and linear) phosphite (TNPP) is an industrial…
In a significant change of policy, the United States has announced its support for a global treaty that aims to cap plastic production and restrict harmful chemicals, according to Reuters. This shift from the previous U.S. stance, which aligned with countries opposing such regulations, brings U.S. closer to other nations’ ambitions of advocating for international…
In a recently published article by Sustainable Packaging Europe, Josh Pitman, Managing Director of Priory Direct calls out UK retailers and suppliers that label soft plastic packaging as “recyclable” for greenwashing, due to the country’s limited recycling infrastructure. He argues that these labels are misleading and contribute to environmental harm, as the UK’s infrastructure can…
British Glass, the trade association representing the UK glass manufacturing industry, is voicing significant concerns following the recent announcement of base fees for the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme. While the association supports the overarching goals of the EPR, which aims to make producers accountable for the entire lifecycle of their products, they are deeply…
Until now, 13 states and over 500 cities across the United States have enacted bans on single-use plastic bags, with more potentially on their way. These measures aim to reduce plastic waste from single-use plastics and their negative impact on the environment. Despite the positive intentions behind these bans, however, data suggests that they may…
In a bold move aimed at tackling Europe’s greenhouse gas emissions, Zero Waste Europe (ZWE) has called upon the European Commission (EC) to integrate waste incineration into the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). The advocacy group argues that such a step would effectively penalize the incineration of fossil-based materials like plastics and synthetic textiles,…
International organizations are urging the European Commission (EC) to extend the current ban on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) beyond food packaging, and include medical applications. This initiative, led by the environmental law organization Client Earth, aims to address the health risks associated with PVC in a wider range of packaging applications. ECHA Report Highlights PVC…
In response to the growing demand for incorporating recycled materials in packaging, ELIPSO and FEBEA have collaborated to develop a guidance document, aimed at helping integrate the use of post-consumer recycled plastics (PCR) in cosmetics packaging. The Guidance Document: Recycled Plastics in Cosmetics Packaging This Guidance Document, published on March 8, 2024, offers a…