The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) of the UK has recently introduced a framework to evaluate and categorize the recyclability of various packaging materials, under the Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) initiative. This system aims to help…
A recent survey by Recoup, a UK plastics charity, reveals that local councils are struggling to prepare for upcoming waste management reforms, with many still unaware of the looming requirements for kerbside plastic collections. Additionally, inconsistent recycling instructions are causing…
Switzerland has revised its regulations on food contact materials, specifically targeting plastics and packaging inks. These changes, published in Official Collection 2024 755, have come into force from January 1, 2025. The amendments focus on enhancing consumer safety by tightening…
Japan has been making significant changes to its regulatory framework for food contact materials (FCMs), set to take effect on June 1, 2025. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has finalized the structure of the Positive List (PL) system…
In December 19, 2024, the European Commission (EC) introduced Regulation (EU) 2024/3190, enforcing a strict ban on bisphenol A (BPA) and other hazardous bisphenols in food-contact materials. This measure aims to enhance consumer safety by eliminating harmful chemicals from products…
A comprehensive study published in Environmental Science & Technology evaluates the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of plastic products versus their alternatives across 16 applications. These include key sectors such as packaging, construction, automotive, textiles, and consumer goods, which together account…
On 16th of December, the EU Council formally adopted the Package and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), aimed at reducing packaging waste and promoting sustainability. The rules set binding targets for re-use, restrict specific single-use packaging types, and require businesses to…
Researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have achieved a breakthrough in developing eco-friendly alternatives to PET (polyethylene terephthalate) for packaging. By employing advanced metabolic engineering techniques, the team created a microbial strain capable of producing…
The Global Plastics Treaty’s negotiations under the 5th session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) have halted. While the session marked significant progress, unresolved issues indicate that further negotiations will be needed to create a comprehensive solution to the global…
While plastic pollution poses a significant environmental challenge, a new OECD report suggests that comprehensive global policies can reduce plastic leakage into the environment by 96 %, by 2040. These policies address the entire lifecycle of plastics, including production, use,…
In August 2024, the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) announced significant updates to its recommendations for materials and articles that come into contact with food. These changes, which apply to silicones, paper and board, specialized baking papers, and…
The European plastics recycling industry is faced with a significant recession. Challenges such as declining demand for European recyclates, reduced domestic investments, and an influx of imports with questionable recycled content claims, have placed immense strain on the sector. These…