According to the abstract of a July 13, 2023, ACS Environmental Science and Technology article https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.2c07179 by researchers with Capital Medical University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and others in China: “… Microplastic specimens were collected from 15 cardiac surgery patients … Microplastics were not universally present in all tissue samples, but nine types were […]
News and Updates
Recycling – Use of Low Melting Point Plastic as an Asphalt Modifier Studied
According to the abstract of an October 1, 2023 Science of The Total Environment article https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164869 by researchers with the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University in Australia “… This research encompasses an evaluation of the mechanical behaviour and environmental impact of introducing low melting point recycled plastics, low density polyethylene and commingled polyethylene/polypropylene, […]
Microplastics – Effects on Shrimp Studied
According to the abstract of July 27, 2023 ACS Environmental Science and Technology article https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c01566 by researchers with Ningbo University and Ningbo Customs District Technology Center, both in China “… Our study investigated the impact of polyvinyl chloride MPs (PVC-MPs) on white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infection in shrimp. The results revealed that PVC-MPs obviously […]
American Chemistry Council Comments on the EPA Draft National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution
On July 31, 2023, the American Chemistry Council (ACC) submitted comments https://www.americanchemistry.com/chemistry-in-america/news-trends/press-release/2023/epa-s-plastic-strategy-should-focus-on-collaboration-innovation-circularity-opportunities to EPA on its Draft National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution – The comments “… outlined opportunities where greater collaboration could turn the Draft National Strategy into a more comprehensive approach to eliminate plastic pollution and called out sections of the draft where […]
Consumer Brands Association Submits Comments to EPA on the Agency’s Draft National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution
According to an August 1, 2023, Consumer Brands Association news release https://consumerbrandsassociation.org/press-releases/consumer-brands-weighs-in-on-draft-national-strategy-to-prevent-plastic-pollution/ the association on July 31 submitted comments https://consumerbrandsassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/07_31_2023_CBA-EPA-Draft-National-Strategy-to-Prevent-Plastic-Pollution.pdf to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on its Draft National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution – The association “… compiled insight from across the consumer products industry … on effective strategies for preventing plastic pollution […]
“Planet vs. Plastics” is the Theme for Earth Day, April 22, 2024
On July 31, 2023, the global organizer of Earth Day, http://www.EarthDay.org, announced https://www.earthday.org/press-release/planet-vs-plasticsglobal-theme-for-earth-day-2024/ the global theme for Earth Day 2024 is: “Planet vs. Plastics” which in intended to unite individuals and organizations “… in an unwavering commitment to call for the end of plastics for the sake of human and planetary health, demanding a 60% reduction in […]
Single Use Plastic – British Columbia Single-Use and Plastic Waste Prevention Regulation take effect December 20, 2023
According to a July 19, 2023 Gowling WLG article https://gowlingwlg.com/en/insights-resources/articles/2023/british-columbia-takes-action-on-plastic-waste/ “… On July 14, 2023, the Province of British Columbia published the Single-Use and Plastic Waste Prevention Regulation, which will … lead to the phasing-out of oxo-degradable plastic packaging and products, shopping bags, and food service ware and accessories in British Columbia. The publication of this regulation ends […]
Beverage Container Deposit Systems do not Cause a Decline in Beverage Sales
According to a July 19, 2023 joint Container Recycling Institute (CRI) and Reloop news release https://www.container-recycling.org/images/2023/DRS%20Impact%20on%20Beverage%20Sales%20report%20final%20for%20website.pdf “… A study released today … finds no definitive evidence that new or expanded beverage container deposit return systems (DRS, aka bottle bills) alone impact beverage sales – suggesting beverage industry concerns that deposit systems lead to sales declines […]
Reusable Plastic Food Packaging – Coca-Cola “is accelerating its test-learn-scale approach … in North America”
According to a July 13, 2023 Coca‑Cola news release https://www.coca-colacompany.com/media-center/coca-cola-north-america-ramps-up-reusable-packaging-pilots#:~:text=The%20Coca%E2%80%91Cola%20Company%20made,to%20consumers%20in%20reusable%20packaging “… The company is accelerating its test-learn-scale approach with several reusable packaging pilots in North America, including a new partnership with r.Cup – which replaces single-use cups with its end-to-end reusable cup solutions to large-scale sports and entertainment venues, cinemas, festivals and events … Once binned and […]
Use of Plastic Waste in Infrastructure
According to a July 18, 2023 National Academies news release about a report issued that day https://www.nationalacademies.org/news/2023/07/u-s-should-expand-and-standardize-plastics-collection-and-recycling-study-potential-uses-in-infrastructure-says-new-report EPA and DoT should “… explore new applications for plastics waste in infrastructure … Generally, plastic collection, recycling, and reuse is hindered by the large number of types and formulations of plastics; the high cost and complexity of […]