A recent report issued by the United Nations Environment Programme points out that if countries can make full use of existing technologies to carry out in-depth policy shift and market transformation, the global Plastic pollution is expected to reduce by 80% by 2040. The report emphasized the action and direction of change needed to develop the circular economy, and called on all countries to take positive measures to strengthen the treatment of Plastic pollution.

Plastic pollution is one of the most concerned environmental problems in the world. According to data released by the United Nations, over 400 million tons of plastic are produced globally each year, with approximately tens of millions of tons of plastic waste flowing into the ocean. In March this year, the fifth resumed session of the United Nations Environment Conference held in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, adopted the Resolution on Ending Plastic pollution (Draft), proposing to establish an intergovernmental negotiating committee, reach an internationally legally binding agreement by 2024, and promote the comprehensive governance of global plastic products in production, design, recycling and treatment.

The United Nations Environment Programme encourages countries to actively develop relevant policies, such as further promoting the use of sustainable, compostable, and biodegradable materials, providing financial support for recycled materials, and providing financial incentives for recycling factories. In recent years, more and more countries have issued "plastic prohibition orders" to strengthen the control of plastic products. For example, France has launched the "Anti Waste Law for the Circular Economy", which promotes the achievement of national ecological transformation goals by gradually reducing the use of disposable plastic products, promoting the development of alternative and reusable materials, banning disposable plastic packaging, and promoting unpackaged sales. Thailand continues to promote the "Roadmap for Plastic Waste Management 2018-2030", emphasizing the strengthening of public-private cooperation and promoting responsible consumption and production.

The report released this time also proposes three market reform suggestions, namely "reuse", "recycling", "repositioning and product diversification". "Reuse" includes the use of recyclable bottles, the implementation of the deposit refund plan and the packaging recycling plan, which is expected to reduce Plastic pollution by 30% by 2040. Recycling "includes eliminating fossil fuel subsidies and designing implementation guidelines to improve recyclability, which can increase the proportion of recyclable plastics from 21% to 50%. If the recycling profit increases, the world can reduce Plastic pollution by 20% by 2040. "Repositioning and product diversification" means that by using alternative materials such as paper or compostable materials, an additional 17% of Plastic pollution can be reduced.

The way we produce, use, and handle plastics is polluting ecosystems, posing risks to human health, and disrupting climate stability, "said Inge Arnold, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme. The report sets out a roadmap to develop a circular economy to protect ecosystems, human health, and others from plastic hazards. If we follow this roadmap, we can make significant progress in economic, social, and environmental development