UK university heads global plastics pollution study / Focus on microplastics in rivers and estuaries / Initial results find diverse types

Phase-out of nine single-use plastic products / Bottle deposit scheme planned

Record attendance at 2019 conference / Waste management and plastics sustainability in focus

Technical flaws in HDPE pipe connection a factor in Ocean Cleanup breakdown in the Pacific / Restart is months away / Plastics pollution “gets worse by the day”

New York state bans most single-use plastic bags from 2020 / Some uses exempted / Optional fee for paper / Levies to go to environment fund

British association appoints Ben Wilson as chairman

European Parliament changes rules of “Cohesion Fund” / Waste treatment plants no longer subsidised

Major consumer goods companies form new alliance / Aim to accelerate development of waste management in Sub-Saharan region

Oxo-biodegradable Plastics Association accuses EU of maladministration

2018 update of “Operation Clean Sweep” / Focus in 2019 on developing support tools and strengthening collaborations

EuPC and IK organise conference “A Circular Future with Plastics” in Berlin / Award ceremony for best polymer producers

WWF urges reversal of plastics waste crisis / Pollution could double by 2030 without drastic changes / Governments called on to unite against marine litter

European Parliament votes overwhelmingly to ban single-use plastics by 2021 / EU "paving the way for the rest of the world" / EuPC and PlasticsEurope criticise outcome

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

Construction commencing on the Istanbul "Plastic Excellence Center" / Pagev association board elected