The latest news about safe, sustainable and bio-based materials and products

Zero Tolerance of Plastic Pollution of the Oceans: A Global Treaty

During a UN's environment ministers meeting in Nairobi, Kenya last month, Norway proposed a zero tolerance of plastic pollution and suggested an international treaty banning plastic waste from entering the sea.

Environment, Leadership, RegulationJames EdeJanuary 31, 2018UN environment ministers, microplastic, BBC, Vireo Advisors, Norway, UN's environment ministers meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, nternational treaty banning plastic waste, microplasticsComment

Study finds Bisphenols BPS and BPA in Receipts

The Ecology Center’s Healthy Stuff program found hormone-disrupting BPS and BPA chemicals in the receipts of major grocery stores, department stores, and small retailers (including Meijer, Kroger, and TJX stores, as well as gas stations, theaters, libraries, small and independent businesses).

Dairy Packaging Redesigned by Arta Plast with Fiber-Based Paperboard

A Swedish packaging manufacturer, Arta Plast, has engineered a new renewable paperboard cup for dairy products and other chilled products from a material called Cupforma Natura (TM), by Stora Enso.

Environment, Innovation, SustainabilityJames EdeDecember 13, 2017food packaging, Stora Enso, Arta Plast, thermoformed polystyrene cup, envoronmentally sound, fiber-based paperboard, dairy packagingComment

Plastics being "Washed Out" of Big Brand's Packaging

More than 150 companies are asking that governments ban oxo-degradable plastic packaging due to the negative effects it can have on the environment and marine wildlife in a statement organized by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s New Plastics Economy Initiative.

Environment, Policy, RegulationJames EdeDecember 11, 2017microplastic, oxo-degradable plastic packaging, New Plastics Economy initiative, Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Unilever, Pepsico, natural ecosystem, littering, waste management techniquesComment

ACS Nano Publishes Considerations for Safe Innovation: The Case of Graphene

A manuscript published this month in ACS Nano outlines considerations of safety aspects during the various stages of the innovation process.

Innovation, Environment, Risk AnalysisJames EdeDecember 5, 2017ACS Nano, Considerations for Safe Innovation: The Case of Graphene, innovation process, potential hazards, exposures, risks of innovation, Environmental Risk Assessment, promote safe production, Vireo Advisors, “potential”, “indicator”, and “demonstrator” stages of innovation, stages of innovationComment

EPA Reviewing 10 Chemicals for Potential Additional Regulation

The EPA is reviewing 10 chemicals and the hazards they may pose to human and environmental health to see if additional regulation for the chemicals is needed

Walmart to Reduce Chemicals of Concern by 10% in Consumables by 2022

Last month, Walmart became the first retailer in the U.S. to set a deadline for the reduction of chemicals of concern in consumables, promising to reduce them by 10% by the year 2022.

Sustainability, EnvironmentJames EdeOctober 23, 2017Walmart, Boma Brown-West, EDF, Environmental Defense Fund, HPC, high priority chemicals, Sustainability, consumables, Walmart to Reduce Chemicals of Concern, 2022Comment

Comments Due for Nanoform-Specific Registration Requirements Proposed for E.U.’s REACH Legislation

On October 9th, 2017, The European Commission (EC) released a Draft Regulation that would amend the E.U.’s REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction) Regulation to address nanoforms.

Large Industrial Consortium & VTT Technical Research of Finland Launch EUR 4.5 Million Future Fibre Products Project

Thirty-three companies have come together, along with VTT Technical Research of Finland, to develop sustainable forest products which could be used as an alternative to petroleum based materials such as plastics.

Innovation, Sustainability, EnvironmentJames EdeOctober 16, 2017VTT Technical Research of Finland, Future Fibre Products Project, paper and board production infrastructure, pilot scale demonstrations, sustainable forest productsComment

Catch of the Day: Fish with a Side of Plastic Debris and Textile Fibers

Scientists studying fish and shellfish sold for human consumption in Indonesian and American fish markets found the presence of man-made debris.

EnvironmentJames EdeOctober 12, 2017man-made debris, fish markets, Vireo Advisors, Catch of the day, Fish with a Side of Plastic Debris and Textile Fibers, USA, Indonesia, plastic contamination, waste management techniques, human health effects, FTIR or Raman Spectroscopy, textiles, shellfishComment