New regulations for degradable plastics are released, where is the development direction of the plasticization industry?

The national standard "Carbon and Environmental Footprint of Plastic Biobased plastics Part 1: General Principles" will be formally implemented on February 1, 2023, which provides evaluation requirements and guidelines for the specific life cycle of biobased products. The view of experts and institutions on this provision, that it will boost the establishment of the carbon neutral standard system of the plastics industry, guide the green and low-carbon development of the industry, biodegradable plastics penetration is expected to continue to increase, demand is expected to grow rapidly.

France: Gradually ban single-use plastic packaging

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.

In French supermarkets, the details of the reduction in the use of plastic products can be felt: the labels of most products clearly indicate how they are sorted and recycled; Electronic products and other products are marked whether they can be repaired and the parts required for maintenance information to provide reference for subsequent product recycling; Supermarkets are also encouraging bulk sales and less packaging. From 2021, more than 30 kinds of vegetables and fruits such as cucumbers and oranges in French supermarkets will no longer be packaged with plastic film, and consumers can bring reusable appliances to buy bulk goods.

According to the French Ministry of Ecological Transformation, there are about 5.5 million tons of daily packaging sold in France every year, of which 20% is plastic packaging, and it is usually single-use. France is gradually increasing the share of products in reusable packaging, aiming to reach 5% of reusable packaging products on the market by 2023 and 10% by 2027.

"Manufacturers should reduce excessive packaging at the source, and local governments should improve waste sorting systems in public places and carry out popular science campaigns for consumers to further increase recycling rates." The French Consumer Association pointed out that the problem of excessive plastic packaging in France is prominent, and the proportion of plastic recycling needs to be improved.

In recent years, France has increased its efforts to "limit plastic" and passed the "Anti-Waste Law for circular Economy", which aims to gradually reduce the use of disposable plastic products, promote the development of alternative and reusable materials, prohibit disposable plastic packaging, promote non-packaging sales, and promote the realization of national ecological transformation goals. The law plans a road map for the total ban on disposable plastic packaging: by 2025, 100% recycling of plastic products will be achieved, and strive to reduce unnecessary disposable plastic packaging; Halve the amount of single-use plastic bottles sold by 2030. The bill takes five years as a measurement stage, quantifies the corresponding policies according to the actual situation, and ultimately achieves the goal of reducing the use of single-use plastic products to zero by 2040.

Thailand: Strengthening public-private partnerships to reduce plastic use

In order to tackle the problem of plastic waste, Thailand has been continuing to promote the Management of Plastic Waste Roadmap 2018-2030. The roadmap adheres to the principle of "use less, reuse and recycle", strengthens public-private cooperation, promotes responsible consumption and production, and achieves circular economy. According to the roadmap, Thailand will ban the use of plastic microbeads, oxidation-degradable plastics and other plastic products by the end of 2019, stop the use of lightweight plastic bags less than 36 microns in thickness, plastic straws, styrofoam food boxes, plastic cups, etc., and achieve 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.

Public-private cooperation is an important part of Thailand's promotion of "plastic limit". In 2018, under the Public-Private Partnership for Plastics and Waste Management, governments and public institutions, the private sector, academia, civil society organizations and others worked together on plastic and waste management, with the main goal of reducing the use of plastic products and reusing plastic waste. Under the program, Thailand has increased plastic waste collection points; Industrial manufacturers have established the "Thai Plastic Recycling Alliance" to recycle, manage and reuse plastic waste from manufacturing processes; Dozens of leading Thai companies have formed the Thailand Business Council for Sustainable Development to collaborate with the Thai Environmental Institute and others on environmental practices and to raise public awareness of environmental issues.