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Plastic products that are not recycled pose a serious threat to the natural environment and wildlife, especially to marine life. A new study by the Anton Dorn Zoological Center in Italy and the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom shows that high levels of plastic pollution can have fatal effects on the embryos of marine animals. The researchers tested the effects of the new PVC particles on the development of seven species covering the main groups of marine fauna and published the results in the latest issue of Actinsphere. The study highlights the potentially catastrophic consequences of rising levels of plastic in the ocean.
The main process affected is morphogenesis – the organism develops its shape – and the shapeless embryo cannot survive. Some are unable to form proper bilateral (left-right) characteristics, some stop developing after a few rounds of cell division, and are unable to create viable embryos.
Dr. Jimenez-Guri, who led the study, said: "If there is extreme pollution at the time of the reproduction of these species, then these species will not produce the next generation – ultimately leading to the extinction of these marine organisms." ”
A team led by the University of Exeter and the Northern Cyprus Turtle Conservation Society examined 135 loggerhead sea turtles that washed ashore or were accidentally caught in fishing nets, and found 492 pieces of plastic, more than 40 percent of which were large pieces of plastic, including bottle caps, according to a report by the British newspaper Metropolis Daily on March 11. It can be seen that the situation of plastic pollution in the ocean is already very worrying.
Plastic pollution is not just harmful to marine life, they can ingest plastic debris, resulting in stunted growth, impaired reproduction and even death. In addition, plastic debris releases toxic chemicals that can cause long-term harm to the health of marine life.
In the face of the global plastic pollution problem, mainland governments and enterprises are actively promoting the research and development and application of degradable plastics to reduce the impact on the environment.
Degradable plastic is a kind of plastic product that can be degraded into non-toxic and harmless substances under natural conditions. Compared with traditional non-degradable plastics, degradable plastics have less impact on the environment after being discarded. The mainland government has introduced a series of policies and measures to encourage enterprises to increase the research and development and application of degradable plastics.
The "plastic restriction order" restricts and prohibits the use of non-degradable plastic products
In 1999, the mainland issued the "plastic restriction order" and the State Economic and Trade Commission issued (99) No. 6 order, which stipulated that the production and use of disposable foamed plastic tableware would be completely banned by the end of 2000. In 2007, the State Council issued the "Notice on Restricting the Production, Sales and Use of Plastic Shopping Bags", proposing to prohibit the production, sale and use of plastic shopping bags with a thickness of less than 0.025 mm nationwide, and implement a paid use system for plastic shopping bags. Since 2020, policies have been intensively introduced, mainly to restrict and prohibit the use of non-degradable plastic products, especially disposable plastic food packaging. In 2021, the "14th Five-Year Plan for the Development of Circular Economy" proposed to actively and steadily promote degradable plastics according to local conditions.
In 2027, the market size of Beijing's industry will still be around 100 million yuan
Under the influence of the "plastic restriction order" policy, the phased achievement of the target will reduce the demand for single-use plastic food packaging in Beijing, while also bringing growth to the single-use degradable plastic market. According to the Beijing Plastic Pollution Control Action Plan (2020-2025), by 2025, Beijing will fully establish a plastic pollution control system and become a model for plastic pollution control in international megacities. It is expected that in the next few years, Beijing's disposable plastic food packaging container industry will maintain a low growth rate, and the market size will remain at about 100 million yuan by 2027.
There is a huge space for degradable plastic substitution in the mainland
China is the world's largest consumer of plastics, accounting for 15% of global plastic consumption. According to data released by Grand View Research, China's plastic packaging market reached US$54.1 billion in 2019 and is expected to reach US$69.8 billion by 2025. If calculated according to the replacement rate of degradable plastics of 30%, it is estimated that by 2025, the size of China's degradable plastics market will be about 20.9 billion US dollars. Overall, China's degradable plastics market has broad prospects and huge development potential.
In the face of the serious harm of plastic pollution to marine life, each of us should be aware of our responsibilities. Reducing the use of plastic products and properly disposing of and recycling discarded plastic products are things that each of us can do. Protecting the marine environment and marine life requires each of us to work together to take responsibility for the future of our planet, starting with ourselves.
Prospective Economist APP Information Group
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