In this guest blog for CHEM Trust, Francesca Bevan, policy & advocacy manager for chemicals at the Marine Conservation Society, shares the important messages from their new report: Sewage sludge: Why we need to stop pollution at source Pollution, both chemical and plastic, has been cited as one of the main direct drivers of the current biodiversity crisis. Stopping … [Read more...] about Sewage sludge: Why we must stop pollution at source
Plastics
European Commission takes first step towards toxic-free food packaging
On Friday 18th December 2020, the European Commission finally kicked off a revision of EU laws on chemicals in food contact materials (FCM), with the publication of an Inception Impact Assessment (IIA) for consultation. Almost everything we eat has been in contact with one or more FCMs, including food packaging, factory equipment and kitchen utensils; since 2014 CHEM Trust has … [Read more...] about European Commission takes first step towards toxic-free food packaging
Chemical recycling: Is it worth the energy?
Today CHEM Trust publishes a detailed report on 'Chemical Recycling', a set of technologies that are often claimed to be on the cusp of revolutionising the recycling of plastics. This study finds that these technologies in reality have major problems, including substantial energy use, a need for pre-sorted, good quality plastic input and concerns over hazardous … [Read more...] about Chemical recycling: Is it worth the energy?
New EU chemicals strategy promises a more protective approach to regulating chemicals in food contact materials
On 14th October the European Commission published a new Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) as part of the delivery of the EU’s zero pollution ambition in the European Green Deal. The strategy announces a range of actions that will better protect health and the environment from harmful chemicals, including plans to ban some of the most harmful chemicals in consumer … [Read more...] about New EU chemicals strategy promises a more protective approach to regulating chemicals in food contact materials
All stakeholders call for new EU laws on chemicals in food packaging, yet new Commission President proposes “one in one out” rule
On Monday 9th September the European Commission held a major stakeholder meeting to discuss the EU's laws regulating chemicals in food contact materials (FCM) such as packaging and pipes. The meeting discussed the initial findings from a review that consultants Ecorys are carrying out for the Commission. One clear message that came out of the event, from all stakeholders, … [Read more...] about All stakeholders call for new EU laws on chemicals in food packaging, yet new Commission President proposes “one in one out” rule
UK MPs back CHEM Trust’s priorities in new report on Toxic Chemicals in Everyday Life
Today, the UK Parliament's Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) published a new report on 'Toxic Chemicals in Everyday Life' following its inquiry into the subject. The EAC declare that "current regulation does not account for the cocktail of chemicals we are exposed to", and that hazardous chemicals are now "ubiquitous in humans and the environment". The committee makes a wide … [Read more...] about UK MPs back CHEM Trust’s priorities in new report on Toxic Chemicals in Everyday Life
Phthalates: Research finds more worrying links with human health problems
Phthalates are a well-known problematic group of chemicals for human health, which is why some of the uses of certain phthalates in toys and other children’s products are partly restricted in the EU. However, this does not mean that adults and children are not exposed to them from other sources. They have a wide variety of uses and are found in everyday consumer products such … [Read more...] about Phthalates: Research finds more worrying links with human health problems
Hazardous chemicals in plastic packaging: how can we prioritise substances for action?
CHEM Trust reported in July that we are working with a collaboration of academic scientists and NGOs to identify the hazardous chemicals associated with plastic packaging. We published a database of Chemicals associated with Plastic Packaging (CPPdb) which lists 4000 chemicals that are potentially present in plastic packaging, or used during its manufacture. At least 148 of … [Read more...] about Hazardous chemicals in plastic packaging: how can we prioritise substances for action?
Concerns about chemicals and plastics
Over 13,000 chemicals have been associated with plastic materials like polyethylene, polycarbonates, polystyrene and PVC. However, only 7,000 of these chemicals have enough data available to determine their human or environmental impacts – of which approximately 50% have one or more hazardous properties of concern. The individual building blocks of plastics, called monomers, … [Read more...] about Concerns about chemicals and plastics
Hazardous chemicals and plastic packaging: what are the concerns?
As CHEM Trust reported in May a collaboration of academic scientists and NGOs have been working together to identify the hazardous chemicals associated with plastic packaging. We reported that over 4000 chemicals have been identified that are potentially present in plastic packaging or used during its manufacture. At least 148 of these chemicals have been identified as … [Read more...] about Hazardous chemicals and plastic packaging: what are the concerns?
