{"id":20944,"date":"2025-11-11T09:53:16","date_gmt":"2025-11-11T08:53:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/?p=20944"},"modified":"2025-11-11T09:53:16","modified_gmt":"2025-11-11T08:53:16","slug":"pfas-free-1-mindset-endless-impact","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/en\/pfas-free-1-mindset-endless-impact\/","title":{"rendered":"PFAS-Free: 1 mindset, endless impact"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-start=\"307\" data-end=\"675\">Imagine chemicals so tiny they\u2019re invisible, yet so persistent they can stay with us for decades. PFAS are one of them, out of sight, but potentially harmful. <strong>That\u2019s why we\u2019ve chosen to make <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/en\/products\/\">our paper baking moulds<\/a> PFAS-free.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"307\" data-end=\"675\">But, what are PFAS? And where can you find them?<\/h3>\n<p id=\"ember3442\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Let\u2019s start with some chemistry: PFAS, or Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of <strong>human-made chemicals chains<\/strong>, that have been utilized for decades in various industries due to their <strong>water-resistant <\/strong>and<strong> grease-proof properties<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember3443\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Over the past 50 years companies producing fluoropolymer coatings have expanded into new markets and applied these chemicals properties to different products, such as non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, food packaging and even firefighting foams.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-20956 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Where-pfas.png\" alt=\"WHERE CAN YOU FIND PFAS?\" width=\"635\" height=\"357\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Where-pfas-200x113.png 200w, https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Where-pfas-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Where-pfas-400x225.png 400w, https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Where-pfas-600x338.png 600w, https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Where-pfas-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Where-pfas-800x450.png 800w, https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Where-pfas-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Where-pfas-1200x675.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Where-pfas-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Where-pfas.png 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 635px) 100vw, 635px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"307\" data-end=\"675\">Why are they dangerous?<\/h3>\n<p id=\"ember3446\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Unfortunately, water and grease resistance are not their only properties.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember3447\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">With time, we discovered that these chemicals are extremely <strong>volatile<\/strong>, meaning that they can float quite easily from the product they have been used on, and get into the atmosphere: they can contaminate soil, water, air, food and the <strong>human body<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/media.licdn.com\/dms\/image\/v2\/D4D12AQGO3mt8ly7wMw\/article-inline_image-shrink_1500_2232\/article-inline_image-shrink_1500_2232\/0\/1710941610326?e=1763596800&amp;v=beta&amp;t=Vi55680YiyTR7aHuleb7fTYkp7oB-wO8_SnLIIBfxiY\" alt=\"PFAS impact on human health\" width=\"645\" height=\"446\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p id=\"ember3448\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Moreover, they can travel very long distances, spreading the contamination further and further: industrial discharges, improper waste disposal, and the use of PFAS-containing products contribute to the widespread presence of these substances.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember3449\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Finally, PFAS are incredibly persistent: these substances <strong>decay very slowly<\/strong>, earning them the name of <strong><em>forever chemicals<\/em>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p id=\"ember3451\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">As a result of these properties, PFAS <strong>accumulate in the environment and in living organisms<\/strong>, including humans, contaminating them and potentially causing health effects such as liver damage, immune system dysfunction, and an increased risk of certain cancers.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember3452\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Given their widespread use, the topic raises red flags for public health.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"ember3453\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__heading-3\">What about Ecopack? The danger in baking moulds<\/h3>\n<p id=\"ember3454\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">One problematic application of these chemicals is their use in baking moulds.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember3455\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Greaseproof and non-stick properties make PFAS an attractive choice for such moulds, but when subjected to high temperatures during baking, these chemicals can release toxic fumes, and toxic particles can stick to the food and be ingested.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember3456\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">As a result, there is a growing movement towards finding safer alternatives for baking moulds to protect both consumers and the environment.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember3457\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">As of today, we offer our entire range of product in PFAS-free paper.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"ember3458\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__heading-3\">The world has started to act<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"307\" data-end=\"675\">Recognizing the environmental and health risks posed by PFAS, both national and international authorities are advancing new measures to restrict or ban these substances. Some compounds, such as PFOS and PFOA, have been banned for years, while others, including C9-C14 PFCA (since February 2023) and PFHxS (since August 2023), are now also prohibited in the EU\/EEA.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"677\" data-end=\"881\">In the <strong>United States<\/strong>, several states such as California, New York, and Michigan have already adopted or proposed restrictions on the use of PFAS in certain consumer products and manufacturing processes.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"883\" data-end=\"1258\">In <strong>Europe<\/strong>, <strong data-start=\"894\" data-end=\"951\">Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden<\/strong> jointly submitted to <a href=\"https:\/\/echa.europa.eu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong data-start=\"973\" data-end=\"981\">ECHA<\/strong><\/a> a comprehensive proposal in <strong data-start=\"1010\" data-end=\"1026\">January 2023<\/strong> to restrict all PFAS uses under the REACH Regulation. After a large public consultation in 2023, ECHA\u2019s <strong data-start=\"1131\" data-end=\"1171\">scientific committees (<a href=\"https:\/\/echa.europa.eu\/about-us\/who-we-are\/committee-for-risk-assessment\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">RAC<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/echa.europa.eu\/search?p_p_id=com_liferay_portal_search_web_portlet_SearchPortlet&amp;p_p_lifecycle=0&amp;p_p_state=maximized&amp;p_p_mode=view&amp;_com_liferay_portal_search_web_portlet_SearchPortlet_mvcPath=%2Fsearch.jsp&amp;_com_liferay_portal_search_web_portlet_SearchPortlet_redirect=%2Fweb%2Fguest%2Fsearch%3Fp_p_id%3Dcom_liferay_portal_search_web_portlet_SearchPortlet%26p_p_lifecycle%3D0%26p_p_state%3Dnormal%26p_p_mode%3Dview&amp;_com_liferay_portal_search_web_portlet_SearchPortlet_scope=this-site&amp;p_auth=\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SEAC<\/a>)<\/strong> are now reviewing the proposal, with final opinions expected by <strong data-start=\"1236\" data-end=\"1255\">the end of 2026<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1260\" data-end=\"1612\">Meanwhile, <strong data-start=\"1271\" data-end=\"1282\">Denmark<\/strong> has gone further by adopting a <strong data-start=\"1314\" data-end=\"1388\">national ban on PFAS in clothing, footwear, and water-repellent agents<\/strong>, which will take effect on <strong data-start=\"1416\" data-end=\"1431\">1 July 2026<\/strong>. Other sectors, including food packaging and paper-based materials, are also being assessed at the European level, as the EU moves toward a broad and long-term phase-out of PFAS.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"ember3462\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__heading-3\">Addressing the Challenge<\/h3>\n<p id=\"ember3463\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">It&#8217;s crucial that we stay informed about the products we use, advocate for sustainable alternatives, and support policies that aim to reduce the prevalence of PFAS in our daily lives.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember3464\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">By understanding the specific dangers posed by these chemicals in baking moulds and the regulatory actions being taken, we can make informed choices that contribute to a healthier and more sustainable future.<\/p>\n<p><em>Do you find our articles useful? If so, please comment or send us a message on our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/ecopack-group\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>LinkedIn<\/strong> company page<\/a>!<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Imagine chemicals so tiny they\u2019re invisible, yet so persistent they  [&#8230;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":20963,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20944","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20944","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20944"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20944\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20990,"href":"https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20944\/revisions\/20990"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20963"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20944"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20944"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20944"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}