Plastic waste crisis – Concerns raised over health effects of chemicals leaching from food packaging 15-03-2024
Plastic waste crisis
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Recycling industry welcomes France’s move to tighten EU packaging rules
The recycling industry in Europe has expressed its support for France’s initiative to add a clause to the EU packaging rules that would require producers of plastic packaging from outside the bloc to comply with the same environmental and health criteria as those within the EU.
According to the French Ministry of Ecological Transition, the clause aims to prevent the import of plastic packaging that contains substances that are banned or restricted in the EU, such as bisphenol A, phthalates, or brominated flame retardants. The clause would also ensure that imported plastic packaging is recyclable and does not hinder the circular economy objectives of the EU. Plastic waste crisis
The clause, which was proposed by France on 12 October, is part of the revision of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive, which sets the rules and targets for packaging materials in the EU. The revision is expected to be finalised by the end of the year.
However, the European Commission is believed to see the clause as a ‘de facto ban’ on plastic imports from non-EU countries.
In theory, companies manufacturing outside of the EU might have to buy EU-manufactured plastics for their products that would be sent to the EU to meet these rules if locally manufactured plastics do not meet the criteria. Plastic waste crisis
Concerns raised over health effects of chemicals leaching from food packaging
Everyday plastic food packaging contains chemicals that can disrupt the working of human cells, two new studies from a Norwegian group reveal. The effects include interfering with cell receptors that are crucial for hormonal and metabolic control, as well as our body clock.
The Norwegian lab tested chemicals from plastic items purchased in five countries – US, Germany, the UK, South Korea and Norway – against four cell receptors.1 Non-target high-resolution mass spectrometry and reporter gene assays revealed that 18 out of 36 plastics contain chemicals that activate estrogen receptors and 14 contain compounds that block androgen receptors. Plastic waste crisis
‘There are thousands of unique chemicals present in plastics and they are disrupting endocrine and metabolic receptors,’ says Molly McPartland, a PhD candidate in the lab of Martin Wagner at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
Plastics consist of a polymer backbone with chemicals such as plasticisers, solvents and catalysts added during manufacture. Impurities and degradation products may also be present. These compounds can leach out into contact materials, including food, which has worried food safety researchers. Plastic waste crisis
How MRF technology made a contaminant a product
Rumpke’s new Columbus, Ohio MRF is key to a partnership with Eastman Chemical that will create an end market for opaque PET materials, among other hard-to-recycle products. | Courtesy of Rumpke
A partnership between midwest recycling processor Rumpke and resin giant Eastman Chemical will create an end market for opaque and otherwise hard-to-recycle PET materials, driven by state-of-the-art sortation capabilities at Rumpke’s Columbus, Ohio MRF. Plastic waste crisis
The companies in February announced that Rumpke will begin collecting and sorting hard-to-recycle PET products – specifically opaque and colored PET materials – and will bale and sell them to Eastman, which will process the feedstock using its methanolysis technology.
The project was driven as much by the ability to effectively sort different PET streams as it was by Eastman’s emerging demand for PE feedstock, which has increased significantly with the company’s U.S. processing facility, which started up last year in Kingsport, Tennessee.
On the sortation side, the project is tied to Rumpke’s new Columbus MRF, which has been in development for over two years and is slated to start up in June this year. With that facility’s impressive sorting capabilities – particularly its 19 optical sorters – Jeff Snyder, Rumpke’s director of recycling, said the facility is well-outfitted to make new types of bales, like opaque PET. Plastic waste crisis
Bioplastics: sustainable solution or distraction from the plastic waste crisis?
Biodegradable and plant-based plastics are booming — but still come with climate and chemical concerns.
From Chipotle’s compostable burrito bowls to Coca Cola’s plant-based bottles to supermarkets’ opaque produce bags, bioplastics are proliferating across the food industry.
And not just there: they are cropping up in car cushions, electronics, clothing, building supplies and more.
Bioplastics are defined as plastic materials that are either partly or wholly derived from renewable biomass like plants or are biodegradable or are both. The global bioplastics industry is booming: it’s projected to grow from $8.7 billion in 2023 to $31 billion by 2030 – a growth rate faster than the traditional plastics industry. Plastic waste crisis
Though bioplastics comprise just 1% of the plastics market, some tout them as plastics’ more sustainable future. As delegates prepare for the next round of global treaty talks to tackle plastic pollution in April, some are angling to include bioplastics as alternatives and substitutes in the treaty.
“Bioplastics are driving the evolution of plastics,” the European Bioplastics Association claims on its website, citing “carbon neutrality” and biodegradability (in some cases) as bioplastics’ advantages over their conventional counterparts. But they fail to mention that bioplastics haven’t fully lived up to the hype of faster decomposition rates, safer materials and smaller carbon footprints. Still, experts say the material could be among a suite of solutions if end-of-life management and chemical safety were factored into their design, and stronger standards and regulations were put in place to prevent companies from greenwashing their materials. Plastic waste crisis
“Implementing mass balance in Domo Chemicals’ PA6 production process”
Domo Chemicals, a leading polyamide producer, has achieved ISCC Plus certification for its sites in Germany, Poland, and Italy, enabling the offering of polyamides 6 under the Technyl and Donamid brands with varied biobased or chemically recycled content.
This certification, based on certified mass balance, maintains properties and performance comparable to standard grades. Plastic waste crisis
Giampaolo Buzzi, Domo Chemicals’ Business Recycling Manager, emphasizes ongoing advancements in recycling technologies to regenerate various polyamide waste types.
Vimar, an early adopter, will utilize ISCC Plus certified polyamide 6 in its Linea civil series for electrical components, showcasing reduced environmental impact without compromising mechanical, thermal, or aesthetic qualities.
Sandro Bernardi, Vimar’s Technical Director, underscores the significance of ISCC Plus in integrating sustainable materials into demanding applications. Plastic waste crisis
This partnership reflects a shared commitment to environmental responsibility and innovation in material sourcing and product development
GR3N, a Swiss company founded by Italian entrepreneurs, has launched a groundbreaking PET chemical recycling demo plant in the Como area, Italy
This innovative facility utilizes microwave-assisted depolymerization technology, capable of converting textile polyester or PET waste into food-grade PET, addressing recyclability challenges. The Microwave Assisted Depolymerization (MADE) process breaks down polyester molecules into monomers like ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid, employing microwave-accelerated basic hydrolysis. The resulting monomers are purified, ready for PET polymerization, yielding new PET suitable for various applications, including food-grade purposes. Plastic waste crisis
Maurizio Crippa, GR3N’s CEO, highlights the plant’s capability to process up to 60 kg/h of waste, with plans for an industrial-scale facility in Spain, projected to produce 40,000 t/y of regenerated PET granules by 2027. This strategic location aims to combine chemical and mechanical recycling, optimizing waste management processes. While negotiations with potential licensees are ongoing, GR3N’s technology garners significant interest globally. Despite the absence of current plans for a plant in Italy, the success of this demonstration unit underscores the potential for sustainable PET recycling solutions on a larger scale, heralding a new era in waste management and environmental stewardship.
BASF proudly announces the inclusion of its MDI production facility in Geismar, Louisiana, USA, into the esteemed ranks of ISCC PLUS and REDcert2 certified plants
This expansion enables BASF to extend its offerings of locally produced ISCC PLUS and/or REDcert2 certified isocyanates and polyamides to its global clientele, according to the company. Plastic waste crisis
Dr. Ramkumar Dhruva, President of Monomers at BASF, emphasized the company’s unwavering commitment to sustainable transformation within its monomers divisions and the diverse industries it serves. He highlighted the continuous enhancement of BASF’s product portfolio, ensuring compliance with rigorous standards. “Our achievements underscore our dedication to delivering sustainable solutions and meeting the evolving needs of our customers,” Dr. Dhruva stated.
The certification of BASF’s manufacturing facilities worldwide signifies a significant milestone in supporting customers’ sustainability objectives with environmentally friendly products. Dr. Dhruva expressed satisfaction in the establishment of infrastructure to provide certified, sustainable isocyanate solutions to customers in the United States. He emphasized the company’s ability to offer tailored solutions to meet customers’ diverse product requirements effectively. Plastic waste crisis
In essence, BASF’s commitment to sustainability is reinforced through the expansion of its certified production sites, enabling the provision of eco-friendly solutions to customers worldwide, while ensuring optimal alignment with their sustainability goals.
Plastic waste crisis