Production, use, and fate of all plastics ever made

In the Research Article “Production, use, and fate of all plastics ever made” (19 July, http://advances.sciencemag.org/content/3/7/e1700782), Geyer et al. reported on the end-of-life fate of plastics and revealed that near-permanent contamination of the natural environment with plastic waste is a growing global concern. High concentrations of plastic debris in the open ocean have adverse effects on marine ecosystems and biodiversity (1, 2). In light of this environmental concern, it is urgent to declare war on plastics and strictly regulate the single-use plastic bags.
The UN has declared a "War on Plastic" and the G20 has released a "Marine Litter Action Plan". It is anticipated that the marine debris issue will be addressed at the forthcoming UNEA 3 and reflected in UN resolutions. Plastic bags are among the top ten items found during coastal clean-ups across the world. They were sighted at sea by marine debris observers on board RRS James Clark Ross only 10 degrees from the north pole this year and in the new proposed giant Marine protected Area around Ascension Island, in the remote mid-Atlantic Ocean. There has been a massive worldwide effort to educate people to reduce, reuse and recycle plastic but the scale of the problem is at epidemic level. More than 40 countries and municipalities have now banned or taxed their use. This has had an immediate and strong impact, for example reducing new plastic bag use by 83% in the UK since 2015. However, the regulation of plastic bags cannot be accomplished in one stroke; this issue will face various challenges, including multi-stakeholder involvement, booming e-commerce packaging, technological innovation and public awareness. For example, Kenya failed to implement a ban on single use plastic bags during three previous attempts. Texas, Michigan and other US states vetoed any limit being made on plastic bags. Many vegetable and fruit vendors and smaller shops in China still flout restrictions on use by providing bags for free. The growth in online shopping and meal delivery services also challenges legislative controls.
To win the battle against plastic bags, we can pursue the following strategies: First, further raise public awareness on marine plastic pollution and its serious consequences to environmental and ultimately human health. In tandem we need to better promote responsible plastic use. Second, strengthen all-around supervision on the use, manufacturing and importation of plastic bags, and impose stiffer penalties against violators. Third, develop technologies to separate plastic bags from the waste stream for potential recycling. Fourth, encourage the manufacturing of sustainable and affordable alternatives to plastic bags.

Refercens:
1. Cressey D. Nature, 536, 263-265; 2016.
2. Gallowaya TS, Lewisa CN. PNAS, 113: 2331-2333; 2016.