Biodegradable material replacement 'speed up'

On August 16, the National Development and Reform Commission, together with the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and other 21 plastic pollution control special working mechanism member departments and units, held the 2022 National Plastic Pollution Control Teleconference to summarize the progress and effectiveness of plastic pollution control work over the past year, analyze the situation and problems facing plastic pollution control, and study and deploy the next phase of plastic pollution control work.

In January 2020, the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment issued the "Opinions on Further Strengthening Plastic Pollution Control" (hereinafter referred to as "Plastic Restriction"), which clarified the specific timetable of "plastic restriction and plastic ban", with 2020, 2022 and 2025 as the three key time points. The end of 2020, 2022 and 2025 for the three key time points, non-degradable plastic bags, non-degradable disposable plastic tableware, hotels and hotels disposable plastic supplies and express plastic packaging production, sales and use of the orderly ban, restrictions, and the active promotion of alternative products.

Statistics show that in 2019, China's primary form of plastic production is about 95.741 million tons. Among them, the use of plastic divided into disposable uses exceeds 6 million tons; by the end of 2021, China's biodegradable plastic production is about 500,000 tons, accounting for less than 10% of the proportion of disposable plastic use.

According to the analysis, with the promotion of the "plastic restriction" schedule and the accelerated implementation of policies around the country, the use of biodegradable materials is expected to enter a period of rapid growth.