As we all know, plastic pollution control has always been a major problem in the field of environmental protection, and degradable plastics, as a kind of plastic alternative materials, have been more popular for many years. However, there are also many difficulties to overcome in the production, promotion and recycling of degradable plastics, so its substitution effect has not achieved the expectation in recent years.
Biodegradable plastics is one of the most widely used degradable plastics, which refers to a kind of plastics that can be completely degraded into carbon dioxide (CO2) or / and methane (CH4), water (H2O) and mineralized inorganic salts of its elements by microorganisms in nature under environmental conditions such as soil, sea water, fresh water, compost, etc. Biodegradable plastics industry has developed rapidly in recent years. According to relevant data, the annual capacity of PBAT and PLA in China in 2020 was about 300000 tons and 100000 tons respectively, accounting for about half of the global capacity. It is estimated that by 2025, the annual capacity of PBAT and PLA in China will be about 7million tons and more than 1million tons, accounting for more than two-thirds of the global capacity.
However, at present, the development of degradable industry is still facing problems such as imperfect standards, insufficient detection capacity, and shortcomings in subsequent disposal. It still needs to continue to make efforts in scientific research, product performance, use cost and so on.
Experts believe that at present, degradable plastics have not reached the level of traditional plastics in performance, and the cost is 50% - 100% higher than traditional plastics. In addition, due to the low detection ability, the imperfect management system of standard marks, and the widespread phenomenon of false and false marks in the market, the degradable plastic market also has a mixed phenomenon, and it is difficult for consumers to distinguish and identify. In the recycling process, degradable plastics need to be collected separately after use, and can only be completely degraded under industrialized conditions, which is difficult to be completely degraded under natural conditions. Experts believe that the promotion of degradable plastics still needs to be improved from the aspects of product performance, use cost and the construction of full life cycle management system, and its promotion still needs scientific demonstration and orderly development.
The action plan for plastic pollution control during the 14th Five Year Plan period issued in 2021 clearly proposed to improve the standard system, issue biodegradable plastic standards, standardize application fields, and clarify degradation conditions and disposal methods; Increase the key core technology research and achievement transformation of degradable plastics, constantly improve product quality and performance, and reduce application costs; We will strengthen the construction of testing capacity for degradable plastics, strictly investigate and deal with acts such as false and false labels of degradable plastics, and standardize the order of the industry.
In addition to the scientific promotion of degradable plastics, limiting the use of disposable non degradable plastics is also one of the important means. The opinions of Heilongjiang Province on accelerating the green transformation of express packaging clearly states that by 2025, Heilongjiang Province will completely ban non degradable plastic packaging, and express packaging will basically realize the green transformation; According to the 2022 work points of Beijing plastic pollution control action plan, by the end of 2022, the express outlets in the city will prohibit the use of non degradable plastic packaging bags and disposable plastic woven bags; The action plan for plastic pollution control in the 14th five year plan of Hainan Province proposes that by 2025, the plastic packaging reduction and substitution system in retail, e-commerce, takeout, express delivery and other fields will be further improved, and the substitute technology, industrial chain and supply chain will be further improved; The regulations of Shanxi Province on the prohibition of non degradable disposable plastic products, which will be implemented on July 1, 2022, clearly states that by the end of 2022, all hotels and other places in Shanxi will no longer actively provide disposable plastic products; By the end of 2023, Shanxi Province will be divided into districts and cities to build District fairs, and the use of non degradable plastic bags will be prohibited. In addition, Shanxi also proposed that it would continue to study and introduce supporting policies for plastic pollution control, update and release the catalogue of plastic products prohibition and limitation in Shanxi Province in a timely manner, integrate enterprises engaged in the production of fully biodegradable plastic products and renewable resource recovery into strategic emerging industries, give preferential support in project approval, land, environmental impact assessment, electricity price and other aspects, and constantly improve the support and guarantee system.
As consumers, they should consciously reduce the use of disposable plastic products, moderate consumption, green consumption, and make their own contributions to plastic pollution control.