According to reports, this year is the 10th anniversary of the introduction of the 'plastic limit order' in China. However, some survey reports show that the implementation of the 'plastic limit order' is not optimistic either online or offline.
The pollution caused by traditional disposable plastic products such as plastic shopping bags has not been effectively curbed, but has become more and more intense with the rapid development of emerging industries such as express delivery and take-away.
In this case, the 'degradable plastic' scheme represented by polylactic acid (PLA) was introduced. However, PLA is not the solution. Its degradation requires high temperatures above 50 degrees Celsius and a certain humidity that cannot be achieved in nature.
Degradable plastics in environmentally friendly outerwear are blindly put on the market, stimulating consumers to use disposable plastic packaging in large quantities, and affecting the classification and recycling of traditional plastics. In addition, PLA uses corn starch to produce, and China still needs to import millions of tons per year. Corn meets other needs, and the demand for the degradable plastics industry will exacerbate this gap. Most importantly, the degradable plastics program continues the consumption pattern of disposable plastics, not sustainable consumption under a circular economy.
Recently, the European Commission issued the “Plastic Strategy in the European Circular Economy”, proposing that by 2030, all plastic packaging in the EU market will be reused or recycled. By 2030, more than half of the plastic waste in the EU market will be recycled.
In its plan for plastic packaging announced in January 2018, the United Kingdom required all retail small-sized plastic bags to be charged, which drastically reduced the use of disposable plastic products. Germany passed the Prevention and Recycling of Packaging Waste Regulations. The deposit system promoted the recovery of some plastic products.
The EU region has always been a leader and promoter of environmental policy in the international community. Drawing on EU experience, China should also 'upgrade' to develop a more stringent 'plastic limit'. From China's own perspective, we refer to the successful experience of these recycling links. However, at the same time, we must not neglect the limitations of terminal treatment to solve the problem of plastic waste. Instead, we should promote industrial adjustment and consumption transformation through policies and economic levers to achieve front-end reduction and docking of international standards.
At present, the relevant state departments are studying and adjusting the 'plastic limit order'. In July this year, the "People's Republic of China Solid Waste Pollution Prevention and Control Law (Revised Draft) (Draft for Comment)" officially sought public opinions, including plastic bags. Plastic production, sales, use, recycling, etc. are expected to achieve legal compliance. This shows that in the plastic waste hazard, China has a deep understanding, the national level has acted.