Plastic pollution is a pervasive and growing problem. To estimate the effectiveness of interventions to reduce plastic pollution, we modeled stocks and flows of municipal solid waste and four sources of microplastics through the global plastic system for five scenarios between 2016 and 2040. Implementing all feasible interventions reduced plastic pollution by 40% from 2016 rates and 78% relative to ‘business as usual’ in 2040. Even with immediate and concerted action, 710 million metric tons of plastic waste cumulatively entered aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. To avoid a massive build-up of plastic in the environment, coordinated global action is urgently needed to reduce plastic consumption, increase rates of reuse, waste collection and recycling, expand safe disposal systems and accelerate innovation in the plastic value chain.

Food packaging is of high societal value because it conserves and protects food, makes food transportable and conveys information to consumers. It is also relevant for marketing, which is of economic significance. Other types of food contact articles, such as storage containers, processing equipment and filling lines, are also important for food production and food supply. Food contact articles are made up of one or multiple different food contact materials and consist of food contact chemicals. However, food contact chemicals transfer from all types of food contact materials and articles into food and, consequently, are taken up by humans. Here we highlight topics of concern based on scientific findings showing that food contact materials and articles are a relevant exposure pathway for known hazardous substances as well as for a plethora of toxicologically uncharacterized chemicals, both intentionally and non-intentionally added. We describe areas of certainty, like the fact that chemicals migrate from food contact articles into food, and uncertainty, for example unidentified chemicals migrating into food. Current safety assessment of food contact chemicals is ineffective at protecting human health. In addition, society is striving for waste reduction with a focus on food packaging. As a result, solutions are being developed toward reuse, recycling or alternative (non-plastic) materials. However, the critical aspect of chemical safety is often ignored. Developing solutions for improving the safety of food contact chemicals and for tackling the circular economy must include current scientific knowledge. This cannot be done in isolation but must include all relevant experts and stakeholders. Therefore, we provide an overview of areas of concern and related activities that will improve the safety of food contact articles and support a circular economy. Our aim is to initiate a broader discussion involving scientists with relevant expertise but not currently working on food contact materials, and decision makers and influencers addressing single-use food packaging due to environmental concerns. Ultimately, we aim to support science-based decision making in the interest of improving public health. Notably, reducing exposure to hazardous food contact chemicals contributes to the prevention of associated chronic diseases in the human population.

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Global CO 2 emissions from fossil-fuel use and industry reached 35.7 billion tonnes in 2014 [1]. In 2015, during the Paris climate conference (COP21), 187 countries made commitments towards limiting the global temperature increase below 2 °C by 2100, as well as achieving zero net annual emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) by the second half of the century. The European Commission has committed to reduce its GHG emissions by 40% below its 1990 level in 2030 [2]. Different strategies, policies and instruments must be developed in order to meet these goals and Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) is an attractive one, not only because it contributes to CO 2 emissions reduction but also because it enables the creation of valuable products. In 2011, the Global CCS Institute and Parsons Brinckerhoff estimated that the global CO 2 reuse market was approximately 80 million tonnes per year [3]. Nevertheless, the various options for using CO 2 as input in industrial processes are in different stages of development and therefore their technology readiness level varies. Certain CO 2 technologies are already mature and widely used, such as the production of chemicals like urea, the carbonation of beverages, the direct use in refrigeration systems, welding systems and fire extinguishers or the use as an inert agent for food packaging, whereas there are other Method to identify opportunities for CCU at regional level-Matching sources and receivers Joao Patricio a, ⁎