Plastics persecution: It may be fun, but is it fair?
By Dr. Chris DeArmitt FIMMM, FRSC, CChem
Anti-plastic sentiment is rife, but is it justified? In this Expert View, Dr. Chris DeArmitt, president of Phantom Plastics, argues the demonization of plastic packaging is unfounded and leading us astray from environmental sustainability gains. Dr. DeArmitt has read more than 2000 peer-reviewed articles to understand the science behind plastics and how it compares to the court of public opinion. Here is what he found.


PACKAGING & TECHNOLOGY NEWS
01 Jul 2022 --- The US State of California has signed a new “Plastic Pollution Producer Responsibility Act” that will see the US’ most stringent plastic reduction, recycling and infrastructural development... Read More
PACKAGING & TECHNOLOGY NEWS
30 Jun 2022 --- RecyClass has launched a practical guide Read More
PACKAGING & TECHNOLOGY NEWS
Circular economy dreams? New plastic legislation threatened by low recyclate availability
27 Jun 2022 --- Circular economy regulations for plastic food packaging are becoming increasingly stringent, but the desperately low availability of food-grade recyclate has left businesses in the Western world struggling to meet... Read More
PACKAGING & TECHNOLOGY NEWS
RecyClass publishes science-backed recycling guide for plastics industry circular economy
24 Jun 2022 --- RecyClass has published the RecyClass Design Book, a practical guide clarifying the concepts of recyclability and design for recycling, based on a science-driven approach. The document can be used by all plastic... Read More
PACKAGING & TECHNOLOGY NEWS
Berry M&H overcomes recycled plastic scarcity as UK Plastic Packaging Tax deadline looms
23 Jun 2022 --- Berry M&H is overcoming recycled plastic scarcity in the UK with supply from its own recycling plant, as demand for tax-compliant packaging grows. The rigid plastic specialist offers a range of containers with... Read More

Camvac: Creating tax-compliant films amid recycled plastic shortages
15 Jun 2022 --- Speaking at Packaging Innovations 2022 in Birmingham, UK, Camvac’s head of sales Andrew Smith warns that many businesses are choosing to pay the UK Plastic Packaging Tax due to the crippling costs and low availability of recycled food-grade plastic. Camvac launched two solutions at the show: a high-barrier lidding film with over 30% PCR and a high-barrier metalized MDO PE in single web-form and laminate structure.
Graphic Packaging International: How new legislation is driving the fiber-based packaging transition
02 Jun 2022 --- Speaking at Packaging Innovations 2022 in the UK, Eloise Patterson, head of sales convenience EMEA at Graphic Packaging International, explains how new legislation like the UK Plastic Packaging Tax is driving the transition from plastic to fiber-based packaging. GPI launched a fiber-based produce punnet at the show, enabling consumers to switch from plastic with existing machinery.
ProAmpac: US food packaging leader debuts at Packaging Innovations with UK tax-compliant solutions
31 May 2022 --- ProAmpac’s established flexible plastic and paper-based food solutions have prepared it well for the new UK Plastic Packaging Tax, but the availability of food-grade recycled plastic remains an industry issue. We speak to CCO Adam Grose and VP for global application and innovation development Sal Pellingra about the US company’s European expansion, digital print capabilities and more.
WRAP UK responds to industry concerns over recent food waste report targeting plastic
04 Mar 2022 --- WRAP UK has claimed that plastic packaging can actually increase fresh produce waste for some uncut items. However, the plastics industry has questioned whether the report’s scope limits the conclusions that can be drawn. Helen Bird, strategic engagement manager at WRAP, responds to these concerns and shares insights on how further evidence on food waste can be accumulated.
Chalmers University: Could plastic-degrading enzymes be the answer to pollution?
14 Jan 2022 --- Chalmers University in Sweden is investigating how plastic’s “explosive” production over the last 70 years has allowed sufficient evolutionary time for microbes to begin degrading the material naturally. Aleksej Zelezniak, associate professor in Systems Biology at Chalmers, takes us inside his research and offers some advice on how best to combat plastic pollution.