Recently, a study by an international research team stated that the current rate of global plastic emissions may trigger an irreversible impact. The study, published in the journal Science, stated that plastic pollution is a global threat, and the current substantial reduction of plastic emissions to the environment should be a "rational policy response."
The main author of the research report is Matthew MacLeod, a professor at Stockholm University, Sweden. He said: "Although the awareness of scientists and the public on plastic pollution has increased significantly in recent years, plastic emissions are still on the rise." Matthew McLeod’s team believes that the current solutions provided, such as recycling and clean technology, are far from enough. More importantly, humans must solve the problem fundamentally.
Mine Tekman, a PhD researcher at the Alfred Wegener Institute in Germany, said: "Technical solutions for recycling and removing plastics from the environment are being promoted all over the world. As consumers, we believe that when we classify plastic waste correctly, all plastic waste will magically be recycled. Technically speaking, there are many restrictions on recycling plastic. Countries with good infrastructure have been exporting plastic waste to countries with worse facilities." Mine Tekman further stated that “reduction of emissions requires severe actions, such as restricting the production of virgin plastics to increase the value of recyclable plastics, and prohibiting the export of plastic waste unless it is exported to countries with better recyclability.”
The researchers said that plastic is an "irreversible pollutant", not only because of its continuous emissions, but also because of its persistence to the environment. When the amount of emissions exceeds the amount cleared by clean-up actions and natural environmental processes, it will accumulate in the environment. The natural environment process is a multi-step process called weathering. In remote areas, plastic pollution may also work together with other environmental pressure factors, causing widespread and even global impacts. Professor Matthew McLeod warned: “Now, we are adding more and more irreversible plastic pollution to the environment. So far, we have not seen evidence of widespread adverse consequences, but if the plastic weathers It caused a really bad effect, and we are unlikely to reverse it."
In recent years, the RPET initiative has been in full swing, which is a major promotion of plastic recycling. Under the principles of recycling and traceability and supply chain transparency, the Global Recyclable Standard (GRS) is the current traffic star. Coincident with this research, the fundamental measure to improve plastic pollution is not recycling technology-although it can reduce plastic pollution. To reduce plastic pollution, it should be to find alternatives, or at least reduce the use of plastics. As Professor Matthew McLeod added: "The cost of ignoring the continued accumulation of plastic pollution in the environment can be huge. It is reasonable to take action as soon as possible to reduce the emissions of plastic products."
