Several African countries ban single-use plastics to fight pollution / Many plastic carrier bag bans already in effect

Ingestion of microplastics widespread / Drinking a lot of bottled water increases particle consumption / Canadian study sees health concerns

"Best Polymer Producers Awards for Europe 2019": Nine producers awarded / Vynova wins overarching prize for customer communication / Ceremony at EuPC conference in Berlin

International research project on microplastics in the ocean / “Micro-FATE” starts with expedition in the Pacific

PRE offers sorting guidance / More standardisation

FEAD issues criteria for European Commission study on reinforcing packaging requirements / Product design and technology key areas of focus

Canadian government proposes SUP ban from 2021 / Based on European model

Ocean Cleanup heading back to the Pacific patch / System modifications

NGOs publish study on impact of plastics production on the environment / Call to stop future petrochemicals development / Ambitious targets for greenhouse gas emissions sought

Europe's plastic waterproofing membrane producers association elects Bernard Merkx as managing director

PIE talks to Kevin Bradley from bromine producers' association BSEF / Updated code of best practices / Reduction of environmental emissions of polymer additives

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

Europe's waste management federation FEAD expects plummeting EU exports after Basel Convention amended / Impacts to recycling also of concern to WPC

Formal adoption of single-use plastics directive by European Council

Martin Althorpe elected as next president