During World Environment Day, UNEP released two heavyweight reports, Disposable Plastics: Sustainable Development Roadmap and Current Status of Plastics. The report was co-authored by the United Nations Environment Programme & World Environment Day, India.
Disposable Plastics: Sustainable Development RoadmapA comprehensive review of global disposable plastic contamination in 2018.
The Status Quo of PlasticsFrom the perspectives of government, enterprises and individuals, it analyzes how to deal with the status quo of 'overproduction and consumption of disposable plastics', providing a practical path for achieving zero plastic pollution.
The report conducts case studies in more than 60 countries, summarizing best practices and lessons learned from 'bans on plastics', taxation and other forms of government intervention, and has developed a '10-step road map' for the government to introduce future policies. Or refer to the promotion of existing measures.
This article is excerpted from the "Status of Plastics", from the perspective of the government to analyze how to deal with the 'overproduction and consumption of disposable plastics' status.
I. The actions of governments - hodgepodge
Governments around the world are increasingly aware of the seriousness of the plastic crisis, and more than 60 countries have introduced policies to combat plastic pollution. So far, plastic bags and foam products, such as expanded polystyrene, to some extent It has always been the focus of the government's blow.
It is estimated that the world consumes about 5 trillion plastic bags per year. It is equivalent to consuming nearly 10 million plastic bags per minute. If these plastic bags are bundled together, they can cover the earth 7 times per hour.
The following are the strategies that governments have adopted so far. They can be summarized into four categories: taxation of consumers, resource agreements with retailers, comprehensive bans, bans and taxation in parallel. Implementation effects vary.
Taxing plastic bags
Data from countries such as Ireland indicate that the use of plastic bags has fallen sharply when customers are asked to pay extra for plastic bags. Funds raised through taxation can be deposited into special funds to combat plastic pollution and other environmental problems.
Voluntary agreement
In Austria, large retailers agreed to stop offering free plastic shopping bags to customers. In addition to similar agreements with the government, some retailers went even further and demanded that consumers only buy reusable bags.
Comprehensive ban
For example, the Rwandan government prohibits the manufacture, use, sale and import of all types of disposable plastic bags. Paper bags have replaced plastic bags, and citizens are encouraged to use reusable cotton bags. The government is willing to invest in plastic recycling equipment or to manufacture environmentally friendly bags. The company offers tax incentives. Rwanda also imposes penalties, including captivity or fines.
New York City bans the use of foamed plastic products and believes that such materials cannot be recycled in an economical and environmentally sound manner.
Ban and taxation in parallel
In South Africa, the government banned the use of plastic bags below a certain thickness and taxed food retailers selling 24 kg bags. The strategy is to reduce the use of plastic bags, in part because taxes are too low to change consumer behavior. .
How much influence does the ban and taxation have on the environment? It is still too early to draw conclusions on this. 50% of the cases lack strong information, partly because some countries have recently implemented relevant policies.
In addition, under-detection is also a major problem. In countries with tangible data, 30% of countries experienced a significant decline in plastic bag consumption during the first year, while the remaining 20% indicated little or no change.
The ban and taxation have no influence, or a country with little influence. The main issues include:
Lack of law enforcement
Lack of affordable alternatives
The latter has led to the rise of smuggling cases and the black market for plastic bags, or the emergence of thicker plastic bags that have not been banned. This has exacerbated environmental problems in some cases.
Second, the United Nations issued a 10-step road map
The UNEP has developed a 10-step roadmap for the government to look for when seeking similar measures or improving existing ones. The roadmap is based on lessons learned from 60 countries around the world.
1. Focus on the most common disposable plastic products and their sources. Assess the impact of these plastics on the environment, human health, wildlife and the economy. If taxation, accurately find the price threshold that consumers are willing to bear, and ensure the cost of collection. Enough to change behavior.
2. According to the country's socio-economic status, the most effective solution is formulated according to local conditions. For example, if the ban cannot be implemented, it is meaningless to introduce a ban.
3. Assess the social and economic costs of the ban. How will the poor be affected and what impact will the action plan have on different sectors and industries?
4. Meet with key stakeholders – retailers, consumers, industry representatives, local governments, manufacturers, civil society, environmental organizations, tourism associations – and seek broad recognition. Evidence-based research also helps eliminate the plastics industry. Against the voice.
5. Provide public awareness of the dangers of disposable plastics. Clearly explain the decisions to be implemented and any punitive measures.
6. Before the ban or taxation takes effect. Evaluate the feasibility of alternatives. Provide economic incentives to encourage the promotion of alternatives that do not cause more harm to the environment. Support measures include tax rebates, research and development funds, technology incubation, public-private partnerships, and support Recycling projects that promote the conversion of disposable plastic waste into reusable resources. Reduce or eliminate import duties on alternative materials.
7. Provide incentives for the industry. The government will face resistance from the plastics industry, including importers and distributors of plastic packaging, giving them time to adapt.
8. Make full use of the income generated by taxation to maximize public interest. Support environmental protection projects and use tax funds to increase recovery rate. Use this part of the seed money to create employment opportunities in the field of plastic recycling.
9. Effective implementation measures.
10. Monitor and adjust selected tools, if necessary, and update progress to the public in a timely manner.
Third, other coping strategies
Recently, some countries have also begun to introduce strategies to eliminate other disposable plastics. The ban on plastic bags in Antigua and Barbuda also includes the ban on the import of plastic food containers and the use of plastic containers. Costa Rica plans to ban all disposable plastics.
Public-private partnerships and voluntary agreements can be the best alternative to the ban.'Voluntary reduction The strategy gives citizens time to change their consumption patterns and also provides an opportunity to market for affordable and environmentally friendly alternatives.
Promoting and adopting reusable shopping bags is a big example of the 'reduction' strategy. The choice is in the consumer. This strategy has changed the habits of consumers and greatly reduced the use of traditional plastic bags in many areas.
For example, in Canada, reusable shopping bags have been promoted as 'green choices' and are now widely accepted. Major institutions often offer them as free of charge as a redemption item. The full awareness of the plastic crisis in the society is effective The 'voluntary reduction' strategy is crucial.
Various types of reusable shopping bags are available on the market. These bags are tougher, heavier and more durable. Although more environmentally friendly than traditional disposable plastic bags, recycling these bags is complicated and time consuming. And the cost is high.
Depending on the composition, it may be necessary to disassemble during the recycling process to separate the different materials. Because of the cumbersome process, these reusable bags are usually not recycled.
This means that millions of reusable shopping bags will eventually go to landfills. Before widely promoting reusable shopping bags, please consider the possibility of recycling or upgrading them locally.
In summary, we need to rethink the way the world produces, uses and manages disposable plastics in the complex relationship of the plastics economy. We want to reduce or get rid of the dependence on disposable plastics, government regulation is essential, in addition, companies Innovation and every action taken by consumers play an important role.