Global "ban on plastic" related policies at a glance

On January 1, 2020, the ban on plastic parts of the French "Energy Transition for Green Growth Act" was officially implemented, and France became the first country in the world to ban the use of disposable plastic tableware.

The use of disposable plastic products is large and the recycling rate is low, which has caused serious pollution to the soil environment and the marine environment. At present, "plastic restriction" has become a global consensus, and many countries and regions have launched actions in plastic restriction and prohibition. This article will take stock of the policies and achievements of countries around the world in restricting the use of single-use plastic products.

European Union

The European Union issued a plastic restriction directive in 2015, with the goal of consuming no more than 90 plastic bags per person per year in EU countries by the end of 2019, while in 2025, this number will be reduced to 40. After the directive was issued, all member states embarked on the road of "plastic limitation".

In 2018, the European Parliament passed a decree on the control of plastic waste. According to the decree, starting from 2021, the EU will completely ban member states from using 10 kinds of disposable plastic products such as drinking tubes, tableware and cotton swabs, which will be replaced by paper, straw or reusable hard plastic. Plastic bottles will be collected separately according to the existing recycling model; by 2025, member states are required to recover 90% of disposable plastic bottles. At the same time, the bill also requires manufacturers to take more responsibility for their plastic products and packaging.

France

From January 1, 2020, France banned the sale of some disposable plastic products, including disposable cotton swabs, disposable cups and plates, and school canteens also banned the use of pure water in plastic bottles. The manager of the "French Zero Waste" organization said that the French authorities will gradually strengthen the "plastic ban" in the next few years and plan to ban the sale of drinking water in plastic cups, plastic drinking pipes and stirring rods, foam glue lunch boxes, etc. in 2021. Plastic packaging of fruits and vegetables will also be banned. In 2022, the catering industry, including chain fast food restaurants, will be banned from providing disposable tableware to restaurant customers. The ultimate goal is to reduce the use of single-use plastics to zero by 2040.

Germany

As early as 2016, the German government reached an agreement with relevant companies to levy taxes on disposable plastic bags. That is, shops no longer provide plastic bags for free, and customers need to pay a certain fee to use plastic bags. Since the implementation of the policy, the per capita consumption of plastic bags in Germany has dropped from 68 in 2015 to 24 in 2018, and the national consumption of plastic bags has dropped by 64%. In September 2019, the German government stated that it plans to increase "plastic restrictions" and is preparing to pass legislation to prohibit the sale of lightweight portable plastic bags at supermarket checkouts.

United KingdomPrime Minister Theresa May announced that he would spare no effort to ban plastics completely. In addition to levying taxes and fees on various plastic products and increasing research and development on replaceable materials, he also plans to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste, including plastic bags, beverage bottles, straws and most food packaging bags, by 2042. In addition to the government, the Queen of England has also expressed her strong determination to ban plastic. She wants to completely ban the use of plastic straws and plastic bottles on all royal sites.

ItalyThe ban on plastic bags was passed on December 22, 2010 and implemented nationwide from January 1, 2011, becoming the first country in Europe to ban plastic bags nationwide. After the ban, Italy's major stores will only be able to provide customers with biodegradable plastic bags or cloth and paper bags.

Iceland's Ministry of Environment and ResourcesOn July 1, the Ice Council passed an amendment to the Health and Pollution Prevention Act to ban certain common single-use plastic products from the market from July 3, 2021. Prohibited products include disposable plastic cotton pens, cutlery, straws, waste and balloons, food containers, beverage containers, foam cups, etc., and reusable disposable cups and containers made of other plastics for beverages and food, except for medical purposes. The placing on the market of products made of plastics which can be degraded by oxidation or so-called oxyplastification is prohibited unconditionally.

Other European Countries

In Europe, for the "plastic limit", the means adopted by various countries can be summarized as two kinds: one is to levy taxes and charges, and the other is to completely prohibit the use.

The first tax on plastic bags was in Denmark. In 1993, Denmark began to tax plastic bag manufacturers and allowed retailers to charge for plastic bags. This regulation directly led to a 60% drop in the use of plastic bags in Denmark at that time. France, Ireland, Bulgaria, Belgium and other countries have adopted this approach. In Germany, Portugal, Hungary, the Netherlands and other countries, retailers charge customers for plastic bags. Italy is even more stringent. In 2011, the government announced that all plastic bags are banned except for biodegradable or decomposable plastic bags.

China

In Asia, China implemented the "plastic restriction order" as early as 2008, stipulating that the production, sale and use of plastic shopping bags with a thickness of less than 0.025mm are prohibited nationwide. All supermarkets, shopping malls, bazaars and other retail places are not allowed to provide plastic shopping bags free of charge.

Since 2015, Jilin Province's "plastic ban order" has come into effect, becoming a province that has upgraded from plastic restriction to plastic ban.

In 2019, Hainan Province issued a "plastic ban". By the end of 2020, the province will completely ban the production, sale and use of disposable non-degradable plastic bags and plastic tableware. Before the end of 2025, the province will completely prohibit the production, sale and use of plastic products listed in the "Hainan Province Prohibited the Sale and Use of Disposable Non-degradable Plastic Products List (Trial).

In 2020, followed by Beijing, Hainan, Hebei, Jilin, Guangxi, Qinghai, Tianjin, Inner Mongolia, Yunnan, Shandong, Guangdong, Henan, Jiangxi and other provinces and autonomous regions issued an upgraded version of the ban on plastic local laws and regulations.

South Korea

As early as October 2010, South Korea began to implement the "recycling metering fee garbage bag sales" system, stipulating that supermarkets are not allowed to provide disposable plastic bags free of charge. Five large supermarket chains in South Korea have signed relevant agreements with the Ministry of Environment of South Korea to actively promote the replacement of disposable plastic bags with environmentally friendly containers. Since August 2018, the Ministry of Environment of South Korea has banned the use of disposable plastic cups in coffee shops. In 2019, the restriction will be extended to supermarkets and bakeries. A South Korea of 2000 large supermarkets and 11000 supermarkets with an area of more than 165 square meters will completely ban disposable plastic bags. Businesses that violate the regulations will be fined up to 3 million Korea (1 million Korea is about 6000 RMB).

IndiaThe government is committed to ending the use of single-use plastic products by 2020. The Indian government intends to issue a ban on the use of plastic bags, plastic cups and plastic straws nationwide on October 2, 2019 to reduce pollution and protect the environment. Prime Minister Mok has announced his intention to eliminate single-use plastics by 2022.

JapanThe government has decided that from July 1, 2020, the provision of paid plastic bags will be implemented, requiring all retail stores to charge for the provision of plastic bags.

According to reports, this regulation is aimed at shops of all industries and sizes. All plastic shopping bags made of petroleum and other raw materials must be charged to customers, and the price of plastic bags will be determined by the merchants themselves.

According to the report, there are exceptions to the regulation. Three kinds of plastic bags with a biomass plastic content of more than 25% based on plants, which can be decomposed into water and carbon dioxide in the sea, and a thickness of more than 0.05mm and can be reused are not included in the charge. Within the scope of the regulations.

By the end of 2019,ThailandThe "plastic restriction order" was issued, stipulating that from January 1, 2020, 75 brands of department stores, supermarkets and convenience stores will no longer provide disposable plastic bags to customers, and strive to achieve a national plastic ban by 2021.

On August 14, 2019,PakistanThe "plastic ban" will take effect and will ban the use of disposable plastic bags in the capital Islamabad and surrounding areas. Violators will be fined 70 US dollars.

New ZealandOn August 10, 2019, the New Zealand government announced that it will gradually ban disposable plastic shopping bags next year. Retailers have at least six months to phase out lightweight plastic bags. According to the proposal, the fine for violators should be increased to NZ 100000, or about 450000 yuan.

In August 2018,MongoliaThe government made a resolution to ban the sale or use of single-use plastic bags from March 1, 2019. The General Directorate of Customs and the General Directorate of Technical Supervision will supervise the resolution. The announcement was made a year in advance to prepare the public and importers to run out of existing plastic bag reserves.

AustraliaFrom July 1, 2019, Queensland and Western Australia banned retailers from providing single-use ultra-thin plastic bags to customers. Since then, only New South Wales has not imposed a plastic ban in Australia's eight administrative regions. According to Queensland's regulations, retailers who illegally provide disposable ultra-thin plastic bags with a thickness of no more than 35 microns may face a huge fine of up to 6300 Australian dollars (equivalent to RMB 30000). Woolworth, Australia's largest supermarket chain, has stopped providing disposable plastic bags to customers in 1000 stores across the country since June 20. Customers are required to bring their own shopping bags or buy recyclable environmentally friendly plastic bags when shopping.

Africa

AfricaIt is one of the regions with the largest plastic ban in the world. The rapid growth of plastic waste has brought huge environmental and economic and social problems to Africa, threatening the health and safety of the people.

As of June 2019, 34 of the 55 African countries have enacted laws banning or taxing single-use plastic bags.

RwandaAs early as 2008, the use of plastic bags was completely banned, and recycling was encouraged through tax cuts. So far, it has accumulated more than ten years of experience in banning plastic, not only in Africa, but also in the world. The "model" country with the highest rate of mention in the prevention and control of packaging plastic pollution.

KenyaIn August 2017, the "world's toughest" ban was officially implemented, banning the use, manufacture and import of all commercial and household plastic bags. Offenders face one to four years in prison and a fine of up to 4 million Kenyan shillings (about 270000 yuan). In early June 2018, following a total ban on plastic bags, the Kenyan government further announced that it would impose a ban on all disposable plastic products in designated "protected areas" by June 5, 2020.

TanzaniaIt was announced that the "plastic ban order" will be formally implemented in mainland Tanzania from June 1, 2019, prohibiting the import, export, manufacture, sale, storage, supply and use of portable plastic bags of all thicknesses. Violators may face fines or Imprisonment and other penalties. Plastic products and packaging related to medical services, industrial products, construction, agriculture, food, sanitation and waste disposal are not restricted.

South and North America

United StatesNo national ban has been issued, but eleven states have already done so. Who will be the first state to ban single-use plastic! Not only foam food packaging, takeaway lunch boxes and cups and other products will enter the countdown. Cities in 11 states have enacted bans, including Seattle, Portland, Oregon, Washington, D. C., San Francisco and many cities in California. The city's ban went into effect early this year after a long fight last summer.

CanadaPrime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Monday that Canada's single-use plastic ban is coming into effect! As early as 2021, plastic products such as plastic straws, plastic bags and plastic tableware will be banned nationwide. Trudeau announced the new initiative during a visit to the Gault Nature Reserve in Mont St-Hilaire, Quebec, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The federal government has yet to publish a complete list of items that will be banned. However, a government source told the CBC that the items included items such as plastic fast food containers, plates, balloons, cotton swabs, beverage stirrers and cups. Trudeau said the government is currently studying which items should be banned, while confirming that Canada will follow the EU's model for plastic bans.

Rio de Janeiro, BrazilThe city will completely ban the use of disposable plastic straws. No matter bars, restaurants or mobile businesses, they can only provide customers with biodegradable or easily recyclable straws. If they do not comply, they will face a fine of 3000 to 6000 reais, or about 5,000 to 10000 yuan. However, due to the current price of this kind of environmental protection straw is more expensive, government departments will give businesses some time to adapt to the new regulations.

ChileIt can be said to be one of the leaders in Latin America's "ban on plastic action. As early as 2014, the Patagonia region of southern Chile began to ban the use of plastic bags. Last year, the scope of this ban was extended to coastal areas. At present, the capital Santiago is in the "plastic ban transition period", more and more supermarkets have begun to replace plastic bags with environmentally friendly shopping bags or paper bags.

MexicoMexico City Environment Minister Marina Robles said that since January 1, 2020, Article 25 of the Mexico City Solid Waste Law has been officially implemented. Any unit that violates the regulations will be fined between 2245 pesos and 168,980 pesos. However, fines are only a punitive measure, and the ultimate goal is to reduce the use of plastic products in the whole society.

PanamaSupermarkets, pharmacies and retail stores banned single-use plastic bags on July 20, 2019, becoming the first Central American country to ban plastic to reduce pollution. Reuters reported that all supermarkets, pharmacies and retail stores in Panama stopped using polyethylene plastic bags from the same day; as for wholesale stores, the rule will be extended until 2020. Businesses that violate the rules will be fined, but some exceptions may be exempted from fines, such as for hygienic reasons such as the storage of raw food.

At the same time, the wave of plastic ban also swept many fields, including catering, aviation and so on.

StarbucksThe company said it would ban the use of plastic straws in its 28000 stores by 2020.

McDonald'sAnnounced that its UK and Ireland branches will replace all plastic straws with paper straws from September 2018.

IKEA(IKEA) promised to stop selling single-use plastic products by 2020 and achieve zero emissions by 2025.

In May of this year, Alaska Airlines announced that it will no longer provide plastic straws and stirring rods in the company's cabin or lounge, and will use paper or bamboo products instead.

In July, American Airlines announced it would take similar steps. Since then, United Airlines, Delta Airlines and many other airlines have successively stated that they will stop using various disposable plastic products to support the plastic ban.

On May 10, 2019, at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) meeting, 1400 delegates reached an agreement to update the Basel Convention on the control of hazardous waste after 12 days of tug-of-war negotiations, and decided to monitor and track plastic waste shipped abroad in the future.

Remarkably, a total of 186 UN member states endorsed the treaty update on that day, but none of them the United States. The United States has never ratified the Basel Convention. Still, the decision works just as well when the U.S. wants to ship plastic waste to other countries.

Rolph Payet, Executive Secretary of the Joint Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (BRS), UNEP, said the agreement was historic and sent a very strong political signal to the rest of the world that both the private sector and the consumer market need to consider what needs to be done.

"States have made decisions and this will be translated into practical action in the future." Payet stressed that the treaty update is legally binding. According to analysis, the update of the law will widely affect health care, technology, aerospace, fashion, food and beverage and many other fields in the future.

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