Is it necessary to submit information to FDA on the effectiveness of a recycling process to produce material that is safe for food contact...
I have looked at the general guidelines for use of resin codes on plastic containers that can be recycled, both from the FTC and the SPI (Society...
New York City's decision to prohibit the use of polystyrene-based food containers was "arbitrary and capricious," and should be struck down, according to New York State Supreme Court Justice Margaret A. Chan on September 21, 2015.
Seven states joined Illinois by enacting bans on the manufacture and sale of personal care products containing plastic microbeads during their most recent legislative sessions. The Illinois ban was enacted in June 2014. Most of these laws define "synthetic plastic microbead" as "any intentionally added non-biodegradable, solid plastic particle measuring less than five millimeters in size and used to exfoliate or cleanse in a rinse-off product." The new laws are listed below.
Canadians recycled 9% more plastic packaging in 2013 than in 2012, according to a report released by the Canadian Plastics Industry Association (CPIA) on April 2, 2015. Plastic packaging collected for recycling includes plastic bottles, non-bottle rigid plastics, and plastic films, including bags and outer wrap. The reported quantities of plastic recycled in 2013 compared to 2012 levels represent an increase of 13 million kilograms for bottles and an increase of 10 million kilograms for plastic films, such as bags and outer wrap.
The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) has determined that Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) is not recyclable and, therefore, the use of polystyrene food and beverage containers will be banned in New York City, effective July 1, 2015. The sale of polystyrene loose fill packaging (i.e., "packaging peanuts") also will be banned. DSNY also suggested that there is not a market for post-consumer EPS collected in a curbside metal, glass, and plastic recycling program.
A newly organized European Union consortium, Polymark, has undertaken an initiative to increase the availability of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) food and beverage containers. EU Regulation (EC) No 282/2008 on recycled plastic materials and articles intended to come in contact with food does not allow plastic containers that have been used for a non food application to be recycled and subsequently used in an application where it will come into contact with food.
Americans are recycling more according to the latest municipal solid waste (MSW) report published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), titled, Municipal Solid Waste Generation, Recycling, and Disposal in the United States: Facts and Figures for 2012. The overall recycling rate has increased from less than 10% of MSW generated in 1980 to over 34% in 2012.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) issued a Scientific Opinion on a safety evaluation of several EREMA advanced technology-based processes used to recycle post-consumer PET into food-contact material.
Japan notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) on July 16, 2012, about new proposed standards concerning the use of recycled paper in utensils and food packaging. The standards are based on a guidance document published by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare (MHLW) on April 27, 2012. The recycled paper guidance ("Guidelines Related to Recycled Paper in Utensils and Food Packaging") sets out basic requirements for ensuring the safety of recycled paper intended for use in utensils and food packaging.