Plastic Pollution in China

Plastic Pollution in China. Student ID 19217293 Yujun LIAN 18226566 Leung Cheuk Yan 21233276 Wong Chung Sing 21237697 Chan Ying Tung 21229120 Ho Darren.

Background. Plastic pollution refers to the accumulation of plastic objects and particles (such as plastic bottles, bags and microbeads) in the earth's environment, adversely affecting wildlife, wildlife habitats and humans. Plastics are cheap and durable, which makes them ideal for different uses; As a result, humans produce a lot of plastic. However, the chemical structure of most plastics makes them resistant to many natural degradation processes, so they degrade slowly. The combination of these two factors leads to a lot of plastic entering the environment as poorly managed waste and persisting in the ecosystem. Plastic pollution affects land, waterways and oceans. Degrading plastic waste can directly affect humans through direct consumption (i.e. in tap water), indirect consumption (through eating animals), and disruption of various hormonal mechanisms..

Data. China is one of the world's top 10 producers and consumers of plastic products. In 1995, China produced 5.19 million tons of plastics and imported nearly 6 million tons. The total consumption of plastics in China in 1995 was about 11 million tons, of which 2.11 million tons were used for packaging. Most of the plastic used for packaging is discarded in the environment in the form of waste film, plastic bags and styrofoam cutlery. These waste plastic packaging scattered in urban areas, scenic tourist areas, water bodies, both sides of the road, not only affect the landscape, cause "visual pollution", but also because of its difficult to degrade the potential harm to the ecological environment. According to the survey, 3% of Beijing's household garbage is waste plastic packaging, the annual total of about 140,000 tons; About 7% of Shanghai's domestic waste is plastic packaging, which amounts to about 190,000 tons a year. Tianjin's annual waste plastic packaging also exceeds 100,000 tons. About 2.3 billion plastic bags, 220 million disposable plastic tableware and 6.75 million square meters of agricultural film are discarded into the environment every year in Beijing. It has been dubbed "suburban whiteness"..

As can be seen from the chart on the left, China's production of plastic products has been on the rise until 2019..

Plastic Pollution related to Econ.

P lastic Pollution In Economic. As a symbol of linear economic About 330 billion single use bag produced every year, and grow to 12,000 million tonnes by 2050 Negative externalities: cause negative spillover effects of plastic waste total $40 billion a year Environmental cost can be $139 billion a year Plastic Waste Makers Index: a quarter of firms head quartered in China contributed half of the world’s single-use plastic items Global Environmental Facility: address plastic pollution through a circular economy.

Plastic Pollution In Economic (China). In 2018, the total output of China’s five general plastics was 85.58 million tons, apparent consumption was 109 million tons Published by Greenpeace: a massive increase in biodegradable plastic production in China is outpacing the country’s ability to degrade the materials The National Development and Reform Commision (NDRC): China needed to improve the entire chain of plastic pollution control <Financial Minds>: survey states that 70.79% interviewees choose to use substitutes of plastic Five-year plan: encourage retailers and delivery firms to cut “unreasonable” plastic packaging, also boost recycling rates for agricultural plastic mulch to 85%.

Plasticulture: from “White Revolution” to “White Pollution”.

The main component of plastic mulch is polyethylene (聚乙烯) , which is extremely difficult to be broken down under natural condition Every year there are about 200,000 ~ 300,000 tonnes of plastic mulch left in the farmland Effects： Affect the seedlings (幼苗)’s absorption of water and nutrients , causing a risk of bud rot （爛芽）or even wilting Destroy the soil structure and lower its ability of providing nutrients to the crops Worsen the problem of soil erosion As a result, the crop production will decrease Incomes brought by crop production will decrease The retrieval of plastic mulch will also involve cost.

Plastic pollution leads to water pollution. Every year, about 8 million tons of plastic waste escapes into the oceans from coastal nations. In 2010，i t was estimated that there are about 4.8 to 12.7 million tons of plastic garbage in the ocean, such as cigarette filters, plastic bags, fishing nets, and various plastic packaging. It will take decades or even hundreds of years to decompose and disappear. Effects: - Microplastics have been found in more than 100 aquatic species, including fish, shrimp, and mussels destined for our dinner plates. It blocked digestive tracts or pierced organs, causing death and stomachs so packed with plastics reduce the urge to eat, causing starvation. -liver and cell damage and disruptions to reproductive systems, prompting some species, such as oysters, to produce fewer eggs..

Consequences of water pollution. Many fish would be polluted and it would cause death and reduce reproduction. Biodiversity and ecosystem would be affected. If pregnant women have eaten polluted seafood, the plastic toxins can affect the fetus. If people eat fish with plastic toxins in their body, it will affect their body’s reproductive and immune system, and even get cancer..

Conclusion. Plastics packaging → hard to degrade in terms of its nature → takes a long time to degrade completely → potential harm to the ecological environment & “visual pollution” Plastic mulch → bring short -lived benefits but long-lasting disadvantages Plastic pollution → soil pollution → affect agricultural economy → water pollution → affect the biodiversity and aquatic ecosystems → harm human’s health Negative externalities (e.g. the increase in environmental costs).

Suggestions. Legislate by implementing bag taxes or putting a ban on using non-degradable or plastic bag in all cities and towns Use reusable substitutes to replace single-use or disposable plastics Bring our own shopping nets or cotton bags when shopping Cultivate a recycling habit Consume fewer plastics for packaging in the industry Purchase fewer products with over-packaging Education.

Reference. 姚振軍：〈農業生產面臨的土壤污染及對策研究〉，《山西農經》，2019年第4期，頁87-88。 包翠榮：〈農田「白色污染」治理迫在眉睫〉，《生態經濟》，2018年第2期，頁6-9。.