全球塑料展望：经济驱动因素、环境影响和政策选择（英）-OECD-201页_6mb

Summary of the Global Plastics Outlook: Economic Drivers, Environmental Impacts and Policy Options

Core Content

The Global Plastics Outlook is a comprehensive report by the OECD that assesses the global plastics lifecycle, including production, use, waste generation, and environmental impacts. It also explores policy options to achieve a more sustainable and circular plastics economy. The report highlights the growing role of plastics in modern society due to their versatility, affordability, and utility, but also underscores the environmental challenges and the need for coordinated global action.

Main Findings

• Plastics Lifecycle is Not Circular:
  The current plastics lifecycle is far from circular. In 2019, global plastics production reached 460 million tonnes (Mt), up from 234 Mt in 2000. Plastic waste also more than doubled, from 156 Mt to 353 Mt. Only 9% of plastic waste was recycled, 19% incinerated, and nearly 50% sent to landfills. The remaining 22% was disposed of in uncontrolled sites, burned in open pits, or leaked into the environment.

• Plastic Leakage is a Major Environmental Concern:
  In 2019, 22 Mt of plastics leaked into the environment, with macroplastics (larger than 5 mm) accounting for 88% of this leakage. Microplastics, which are smaller than 5 mm, account for 12% and are derived from various sources, including tyre and brake wear, textile washing, and industrial processes. These particles are found in freshwater, terrestrial environments, and even in food and beverage streams, posing significant risks to ecosystems and human health.

• Plastics Accumulate in Aquatic Environments:
  Significant amounts of plastics have already accumulated in aquatic environments. In 2019, 109 Mt of plastics were found in rivers, and 30 Mt in the ocean. The report estimates that 6.1 Mt of plastic waste leaked into rivers, lakes, and the ocean in that year alone.

• Environmental and Economic Costs are High:
  The plastics lifecycle has a substantial carbon footprint. Plastics also contribute to pollution, harm wildlife, and create socio-economic costs, particularly in tourism and fisheries, due to plastic littering.

Key Policy Levers

The report identifies four critical policy levers to reduce the environmental impact of plastics:

1. Combine Push and Pull Policies to Support Recycled Plastics Markets:
   Policies should encourage both the supply of recycled materials and the demand for them. This includes incentives for recycling and regulations that promote the use of secondary plastics.

2. Boost Innovation in Environmental Plastics:
   Innovation in prevention and recycling is growing but is still concentrated in a few countries. The report highlights the need for more investment in research and development, particularly in biodegradable plastics and chemical recycling.

3. Strengthen Domestic Public Policies:
   Domestic policies should address the entire plastics lifecycle, from product design to end-of-life management. This includes extending producer responsibility, improving waste management infrastructure, and making recycling more profitable.

4. Enhance International Co-operation:
   Plastic pollution is a transboundary issue, requiring global cooperation. The report calls for stronger international agreements and increased financial support for low and middle-income countries to manage plastic waste effectively.

Key Challenges and Opportunities

• The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic:
  The pandemic led to a temporary decline in plastics use (down 2.2% in 2020), but also increased single-use plastics, particularly for personal protective equipment (PPE). This has worsened plastic littering, and as the economy recovers, plastics use and waste are expected to rise again.

• Secondary Plastics Markets:
  Secondary plastics markets are still small and vulnerable, despite recent growth. Policy frameworks are being strengthened, and there are positive signs of increased recycling and innovation. However, trade in plastic waste is expected to continue declining.

• Innovation in Plastics:
  Innovation in environmentally relevant plastics is growing but remains limited in scale. Biodegradable plastics have slowed in innovation, while chemical recycling is still in its early stages and faces significant challenges.

• Policy Mix and Coordination:
  A comprehensive policy mix is essential for structural change. The report suggests that policies should be both steering and enabling, covering the entire value chain. It also emphasizes the importance of international coordination to achieve net-zero plastic leakage.

Conclusion

The Global Plastics Outlook serves as a vital resource for policymakers, offering insights into the economic drivers and environmental impacts of plastics. It underscores the need for a whole-of-life-cycle approach and highlights the importance of international cooperation and innovative policy solutions to achieve a sustainable and circular plastics economy.