United Nations

International alliance meets at "K 2019" / Advocacy is the priority / China's circular plans focus on technology and biopolymers / EPR schemes controversial

Government shelves binding nationwide phase-out of single-use plastics by 2022 / Target “recommended” / Industry slams lack of clarity over rules

Circular economy advancements and expansion of digital services / Premium concept for automotive interior design at “K”

Chairman of China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation, Li Shousheng / Technological innovation is way to progress plastics recycling

World Plastics Council head Jim Seward / Producers set sights on improving waste collection, innovation and collaborations / "Lifecycle thinking is really important"

Certified biodegradable PE film for tomato growers

Jacob Duer to head global programme / Commitments amount to roughly 1% of members' earnings

Malaysia and Philippines send back illegal waste imports to industrialised countries

Fluoropolymer intermediate PFOA added to Stockholm Convention POP list / Non-member US is pursuing action independently

European associations call for amendment of EU waste shipment regulation / Governments across the globe agree to improve plastics scrap trade / Basel Convention amended

Greenpeace report shows US, Japan and Germany were top exporters of plastics scrap in 2018 / Norway proposal under discussion at UN Basel Convention meeting

New UNEP reports to tackle plastics marine pollution / Guidelines and recommendations for monitoring litter, managing coral reefs and improving gender equality

Global alliance of 29 companies aims to help manage plastics waste / Commitments totalling over USD 1 bn

Industry giants to contribute USD 90m to preventing ocean plastics waste / Ellen MacArthur announces global commitment for packaging / "Our Ocean" 2018 conference in Bali

Japan races to catch up on tackling marine litter / Subsidies for biodegradables producers / New Zealand to phase out plastic carrier bags

Should Basel Convention cover plastics waste? / Norway seeks amendment

Thilo Klein appointed president of International Confederation of Plastics Packaging Manufacturers

Strong sales and earnings in 2017 / PU feedstocks and PC profit from higher prices and volumes / Strategy focused on sustainability and digitalisation

"VinylPlus Sustainability Forum 2018" to be held in Madrid in May

Plan to aid Indonesian efforts to process locally-collected plastics waste into roads / Project could help reduce ocean plastics

PolyStyreneLoop inaugurates first European demo plant / Treatment of flame-retarded EPS and XPS foam

Consumer goods group Henkel participating in initiative against plastics waste in Haiti / Partnership with Plastic Bank

Use of plastics in agriculture increasing worldwide / Reaction to shortage of land area and water / Biodegradable mulch films included in EU fertilisers regulation for first time / Biopolymers and recycling associations have conflicting opinions

On track to ban plastic bags in coastal cities / Initiatives around the country to minimise waste / Ten companies commit to promoting recycled plastic packaging

Launch of wide-sweeping plastic bag ban / Draconian penalties for use / Other African countries to follow