Recently, the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation (CPCIF), together with the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs (IPE), collaborated to release the report "Building a Circular Ecosystem - Exploring China's Solutions for Post-Consumer Plastic Pollution Control" in Chinese and English.

The report aims to facilitate China's petroleum and chemical industry to find a sustainable path that balances environmental protection and industry development, as well as provide practical suggestions and solutions for China and the world.

The report was officially released in September.

As the supporting media of the report, Adsale Plastics Network (AdsaleCPRJ.com), the official online media of CHINAPLAS, had an in-depth discussion with the report writing team to analyze the key content of the report.

Download the report: Report: 2024 Building a Circular Ecosystem - Exploring China's Solutions for Post-Consumer Plastic Pollution Control

I. Status and challenges of plastic pollution

Key points:

∎ Increasing risks posed by plastic waste

∎ Reduction at source and substitution

∎ Recycling and circularity

Plastics are used in a wide range of industries due to their low cost and excellent performance. However, plastic waste poses increasing risks to the environment and human health. In recent years, the alarming figures of marine plastic waste and the potential threat of microplastics have sparked widespread concern, leading to global call for plastic bans.

In 2017, the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) proposed a resolution on combating marine plastic pollution and microplastics, marking the start of global action to prevent plastic pollution. The solutions to plastic waste should follow the 3R principle of “reduce, reuse and recycle”.

However, by analyzing the entire life cycle from raw material extraction, production to disposal, it can be seen that alternative materials to plastics also have an environmental impact. Therefore, while promoting the reduction and substitution of plastics at source, reuse and recycling should not be neglected.

Global waste plastic treatment flows in 2019. (Source: OECD, Global Plastic Outlook)

II. Innovative solutions proposed

Key points:

∎ China's national conditions and international perspective

∎ Recycling ecosystem with both environmental and economic benefits

∎ Whole chain of solutions from control at the source to recycling at the end

The report “Building a Circular Ecosystem - Exploring China's Solutions for Post-Consumer Plastic Pollution Control” was born in this context. Through in-depth research and analysis, the report systematically analyzed the current situation and challenges of China's post-consumer plastic pollution control, and proposed forward-looking solutions.

These solutions are not only in line with China's national conditions, but also include considerations from an international perspective, emphasizing the importance of building a recycling ecosystem with both environmental and economic benefits.

In the process of writing the report, special attention was paid to objectivity, and the report explores the whole chain of solutions from control at the source to recycling at the end, aiming to provide practical suggestions for the control of plastic pollution in China and the world.

An overview of the structure of the report.

III. Synergy for sustainable development

Key points:

∎ Synergy between government, enterprises, the public and scientific research organizations

∎ Localized plastic pollution management

∎ Evaluation of plastic circularity in five dimensions

The report emphasizes the importance of synergy in plastic pollution management. Plastic pollution is not a problem faced by a single industry or country, it requires the concerted efforts of many forces, including governments, enterprises, the public and scientific research organizations. The close cooperation between CPCIF and all parties has provided strong technical support for plastic pollution control and injected new vitality into the green transformation of the industry.

The report also discusses and proposes a suitable localized path for plastic pollution management, and provides constructive suggestions and opinions for related policy making. By integrating the resources of all parties and promoting scientific and technological innovation and policy guidance, better green ecosystem can be built.

Plastic circularity evaluation involves five dimensions, 14 key stages and main evaluation content.

IV. A forward-looking green ecosystem

Key points:

∎ Setting recycling targets for plastic waste and other renewable resources

∎ China is not only an explorer, but also a leader

Looking forward, the policies and social environment for building a green ecosystem are already in place. China's policy document “Action Plan for Peaking Carbon Emissions by 2030” explicitly calls for strengthened control on the whole chain of plastic pollution, and sets targets for recycling of plastic waste and other renewable resources.

In the process of building a green ecosystem, China is not only an explorer, but also a leader. On the road of green development, China is not only a witness, but also a pioneer. China will make more achievements in the journey of plastic pollution control, make contributions to the goal of “Beautiful China” and the construction of global ecological civilization, and continue to shed light on solutions to global environmental governance.

Since the release, the report has quickly gained high recognition from governmental agencies, international organizations, think tanks, as well as renowned international petrochemical companies and brand owners, including the International Council for Chemical Affairs (ICCA), the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, Together for Sustainability (TfS), the International Fertilizer Association (IFA), and others.

Meanwhile, relevant governmental departments have also taken the report as an important supporting showcase of China's achievements in plastic pollution control, and shared it widely on key occasions such as international negotiations to show the world China's story of environmental protection.

Adsale Plastics Network will have a video conversation with the report writing team, aiming to provide readers with a detailed analysis of the report. The full video will be released soon, so stay tuned.