Plastic pollution is an environmental challenge of global concern. More and more countries continue to upgrade the "plastic limit" measures, actively research and develop and promote alternative products, continue to strengthen policy guidance, enhance the awareness of enterprises and the public of the harm of plastic pollution and participate in the awareness of plastic pollution control, and promote green production and lifestyle.
What is plastic?
Plastics are a class of materials composed of synthetic or semi-synthetic high molecular polymers. These polymers can be formed through polymerization reactions, while the monomers can be petrochemical products or compounds of natural origin. Plastics are usually divided into thermoplastic and thermosetting two categories, with light weight, corrosion resistance, good insulation, strong plasticity and other characteristics. Common types of plastics include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, etc., which are widely used in packaging, construction, medical, electronics and automotive fields. However, since plastics are difficult to degrade, their long-term use raises environmental pollution and sustainability issues.
Can we live our daily lives without plastic？
Plastics can penetrate into every aspect of our daily lives, mainly due to low production costs and its excellent durability. At the same time, when plastic is used in food packaging, due to its excellent barrier properties to gases and liquids, it can effectively extend the shelf life of food, reduce food safety problems and food waste. That means it's almost impossible for us to get rid of plastic completely. Although there are many options around the world, such as bamboo, glass, metal, fabric, compostable and biodegradable, there is still a long way to go to replace them all.
Unfortunately, we won't be able to ban plastic completely until there are alternatives for everything from building supplies and medical implants to water bottles and toys.
Measures taken by individual countries
As awareness of the dangers of plastic has grown, many countries have moved to ban single-use plastic bags and/or charge fees to encourage people to switch to other options. According to United Nations documents and multiple media reports, 77 countries around the world have banned, partially banned or taxed single-use plastic bags.
France
From January 1, 2023, French fast food restaurants ushered in a new "plastic limit" - disposable plastic tableware must be replaced with reusable tableware. This is a new regulation in France to restrict the use of plastic products in the catering field after the prohibition of the use of plastic packaging boxes and the prohibition of the provision of plastic straws.
Thailand
Thailand banned plastic products such as plastic microbeads and oxidation-degradable plastics by the end of 2019, stopped using lightweight plastic bags with a thickness of less than 36 microns, plastic straws, styrofoam food boxes, plastic cups, etc., and achieved the goal of 100% recycling plastic waste by 2027. At the end of November 2019, Thailand approved the "plastic ban" proposal proposed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, banning major shopping centers and convenience stores from providing disposable plastic bags from January 1, 2020.
Germany
In Germany, plastic beverage bottles will be marked with 100% renewable plastic in a prominent position, biscuits, snacks, pasta and other food bags have also begun to use a large number of renewable plastics, and even in the supermarket warehouse, packaging product films, plastic boxes and pallets for delivery, are also made of renewable plastics. The continuous improvement of plastic recycling in Germany is related to the increasing popularity of environmental protection concepts and the tightening of product packaging laws in Germany and the European Union. The process is accelerating amid high energy prices. At present, Germany is trying to further promote the "plastic limit" in reducing the amount of packaging, advocating the implementation of reusable packaging, expanding high-quality closed-loop recycling, and setting mandatory recycling indicators for plastic packaging. Germany's move is becoming an important standard in the EU.
China
As early as 2008, China implemented the "plastic limit order", which prohibits the production, sale and use of plastic shopping bags with a thickness of less than 0.025 mm nationwide, and all supermarkets, shopping malls, market markets and other commodity retail places are not allowed to provide plastic shopping bags for free.
How to do it well？
When it comes to ‘How to do it well’, that really depends on the adoption by countries and their governments. Plastic alternatives and strategies to reduce plastic use or increase composting are great, however, they need buy in from people to work.
Ultimately, any strategy that either replaces plastic, bans certain plastics such as single use, encourages recycling or composting and seeks alternative ways to reduce plastic will contribute to the greater good.
Post time: Dec-12-2023