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Moving policy and regulation forward for single-use plastic alternatives |
Wenbing Tan1, Dongyu Cui2, Beidou Xi1() |
1. State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, and State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Simulation and Control of Groundwater Pollution, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China 2. School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China |
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Abstract Single-use plastics are often used once or cannot be reused for extended periods. They are widely consumed with the rapid development of social economy. The waste generated by single-use plastics threatens ecosystem health by entering the environment and ultimately restricts sustainable human development. The innovation of sustainable and environmentally friendly single-use plastic alternative materials and the joint participation of governments, enterprises and the public are promising technologies and management approaches that can solve the problem of single-use plastics wastes. The development of single-use plastic alternative products can be promoted fundamentally only by improving relevant legislation and standards, providing differentiated industrial policies, encouraging scientific and technological innovation and expanding public participation.
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Keywords
Single-use plastic alternatives
Policy
Regulation
Sustainable development
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Corresponding Author(s):
Beidou Xi
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Issue Date: 14 April 2021
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