Month: November 2015

Mealworms Present a Surprising Solution to EPS Waste

Posted on November 18, 2015 - Industry News

AR-151009984EPS, or expanded polystyrene, is the plastic foam commonly found in food containers and has been a source of controversy due to the unrecyclable waste its use creates.   Now researchers may have found an unlikely solution:  Mealworms.   The larvae of the darkling beetle will not only feed on EPS, but the microorganisms in their gut biodegrade the material, later expelling a seemingly harmless product that may be useful as soil for crops.   The plastic doesn’t seem to be toxic to the bugs either.   The research is still in its early stages, but many are excited by the possible implications for EPS recycling.

 

For more information, see Plastics News.

Microbead Ban Passes House

Posted on November 18, 2015 - News

A bill to ban the manufacture or sale of personal care products containing small plastic particles known as “microbeads” by the year 2019 was passed by the U.S. House following a December 7th vote.  The bill (HR 1321) was introduced by Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ) an proposes banning microbeads manufacture beginning July 2017 and all sales of products containing them by July 2019.  Microbeads are polypropylene or other plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in size and can be found in some personal care products ranging from facial exfoliators to toothpastes.  Microbeads became an environmental pollutant concern once they were found to be contaminating waterways.

The bill will now move to the U.S. Senate and could get final approval as early at this week, which may land the bill on President Obama’s desk before the end of the year.

EPA Delays Chlorinated Paraffin Ban

Posted on November 16, 2015 - Industry News

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a delay on a ban of the production and import of mid and long-chain chlorinated paraffins until mid-2017.  Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) have long been used as additives in metalworking fluids, and groups such as the Chlorinated Paraffins Industry Association (CPIA) and the Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association (ILMA) have been working to convince the EPA not to ban CPs at all.   The ban was originally supposed to go into effect in May 2016, but the EPA announced the delay in order to give manufacturers time needed to transition.

EPA Releases Assessments in Chemical Screening Tests

Posted on November 12, 2015 - Uncategorized

Since the 1990’s, many scientists have pointed out various chemicals might be disrupting the endocrine systems of people and animals.  In 1996 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) formed scientific advisory committee to investigate such claims, and by 1998 the committee developed an Endocrine Distruptor Screening Program (EDSP).   The program uses a uses a two tiered approach to screen pesticides, chemicals, and environmental contaminants for their potential effect on estrogen, androgen and thyroid hormone systems.

On June 30, 2015 the EPA released the first Teir 1 assessments of the EDSP.   52 “List 1” chemicals were subjected to the screening, and of the chemicals tested the EPA concluded that majority of these chemicals either didn’t exhibit bioactivity in the screening tests or otherwise posed no risk.   18 chemicals were identified as showing a varied amount of interaction with one or more of the three endocrine pathways examined.    These 18 chemicals are recommended for further Tier 2 studies.

For More Information see the EPA’s EDSP website.

Shell Moves Forward With Shale Gas

Posted on November 5, 2015 - Industry News

Back in June, Shell took further steps toward its investment in shale gas by purchasing a site near Pittsburgh for a plastics and petrochemicals plant.  The preliminary plants indicated that the plant would have three polyethylene resin production lines as well as an ethylene manufacturing line, and seven ethane crackers.  The site would be able to take advantage of the nearby ethane source from shale natural gas.

For More Information See PlasticsNews.com.