The Promotion Committee of Ecological Ethics of Tianjin and the Environmental Security Research Center of Beijing University of Chemical Technology jointly hosted “Special Seminar on Approach to Takeaway Plastics Control” on Feb 25ht, 2021. They discussed how the plastic takeaway packaging affected the environment and how to deal with it. They hoped to provide solutions for relevant departments and submit legislative proposals in a right occasion.
Dr. Zhou Jinfeng, Vice-chairman and Secretary General of CBCGDF, shared his views at the seminar:
1. The dangers of plastic takeaway packaging
The production of plastic takeaway packaging has caused great damage to the environment. It will undoubtedly produce carbon emissions and chemical pollution, which linger in the atmosphere. And the waste from plastic takeaway packaging has constantly occupied our habitat. We do not have enough space for them to decompose.
2. The dangers of cigarette butts
Since indoor smoking is no longer allowed, there will be a large number of people smoking on the road. Cigarette butts and unsmoked cigarette butts are toxic to the environment. The bird and the fish can die from ingestion. We suggest that the tobacco company should recycle cigarette butts and filters and put cigarette butts into broader takeaway management.
3. The dangers of the moon cake packaging
When we buy a box of moon cakes, we cannot eat the cake until open several layers of packaging, most of which are plastic. After eating, there is waste left.
We tried to sue moon cake companies and the market supervision departments carried out sudden inspection. It was shocking that inspection reports across the country said all companies have met the standards. Why? Because the packaging standards were decided by people with vested interests, not by the public environmental representatives.
So we have to change to develop ecological civilization. What are the real enemies of ecology? It’s not you nor me, but industries, which, with capital and interests, form a whole system including laws, regulations, standards, habits, model, production methods, and lifestyles, to wage a smokeless war against the advance of ecological civilization. Therefore, without change, the last habitat on Earth would be doomed.
4. “Three ends” to solve the plastic problem
The first one is the production end. We should integrate manufacturers, distributors and platforms, and manage the standard of production of packaging.
The second one is the consumption end. Consumer responsibility should also be greatly strengthened. We have made great achievements in garbage classification today, but there are still many problems. We must make great efforts in this end.
The third is the treatment end. Our relevant legislative departments, the relevant management departments, and property management departments, used one-size-fits-all approach. Some self-initiated garbage recycling, disposal, collection and transportation should be fully encouraged and promoted.
5. Action: We can order takeaway less
In 2017, a public interest organization filed an environmental public interest litigation against a number of food delivery platforms, claiming not to provide disposable cutlery. We assisted the case, but the court refused to accept the case, and even the relevant authorities thought it was unreasonable. However, in many situations, such as when we order food at the office or home, we naturally do not need their disposable cutlery, but the delivery platforms do not set the option of zero disposable cutlery, which deprives consumers of making green choices.
It turns out that we can change and reduce takeaway wastes. For example, platforms do not offer disposable cutlery. Some countries and regions are also using stainless steel for takeaway cutlery, which can be recycled and disposed in a week.
6. Core purpose: to protect humanity's only habitat
We are not extreme conservationists. We hope to protect our habitat and humans ourselves. For example, one simple way is to bring your own cup to drink coffee. I hope that enterprises and the public cooperate with each other. Let’s take actions to welcome the era of ecological civilization.
Translator/Yanjun
Original Chinese article
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/O90q_Y3yum5BVKZenFV6yA
Contribution
https://www.paypal.me/CBCGDFChina
http://www.cbcgdf.org/English/ConfirmDonaTion/0.html