Experts and scholars call on the entire industry chain to participate in the food-grade utilization of recycled materials

Experts and scholars call on the entire industry chain to participate in the food-grade use of recycled materials to reduce waste and deal with plastic pollution

　　China News Service, September 27th (Reporter Chen Jing) Plastics, rubber, paper, etc. are all food-contact materials. In addition to source reduction, recycling, and application of degradable substitutes, the recycling of food-contact materials is An important way to deal with plastic pollution.

　　Chen Junshi, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, told reporters in an interview on the 27th that the sustainable development of food contact materials is an important part of the overall sustainable development of the industry.

Researcher Zhong Huaining, director of the Food Contact Materials Professional Committee of the China Food Industry Association, also admitted that there are many difficulties in the sustainable development of food contact materials that urgently need to be broken through and require the participation of the entire industry chain.

Zhong Huaining pointed out that the working group will cultivate the public's good habits of garbage sorting and recycling packaging materials, and guide all walks of life to form a consensus.

Photo courtesy of the Joint Working Group

　　As an expert on nutrition and food safety, Chen Junshi told reporters that in recent years, there have been many innovations and achievements in plastic recycling, reduction and substitution, and material recycling.

　　Researcher Zhong Huaining said in an interview that although many companies have been promoting the recycling of food contact materials and the development of alternative products, China’s definition of food-grade “renewable” is not clear. Biodegradable plastic products are being produced, Difficulties still exist in the links of use, recycling and evaluation.

"The industry is to take the road of sustainable development, and it is urgent to apply recycled materials to food-grade applications. The safety standards are not yet clear, and this is also a problem that we urgently need to solve." Zhong Huaining said frankly, "Take rPET (recyclable PET material) as an example. How to standardize the recycling system and recycling process, the identification of recycled materials, and related risk research all require technical support."

　　In fact, the development and use of new degradable materials to replace traditional materials is a major measure to protect ecological safety and human health in the world today, and the market demand is strong.

In July 2020, the nine Chinese departments jointly issued the "Notice on Solid Promotion of Plastic Pollution Control", which clarified that from January 1, 2021, the use of non-degradable plastic bags, disposable plastic tableware in the catering industry and other plastic products are prohibited .

　　The reporter learned that the China Joint Working Group on the Sustainable Development of Food Contact Materials (abbreviated as: Joint Working Group) was the first to be established in Shanghai. It included academics, related professional institutions, and enterprises, etc., to promote the standardized recycling and safe use of food contact materials. Utilize biodegradable environmentally friendly materials.

　　In this regard, Chen Junshi revealed that after the establishment of the joint working group, it will vigorously promote sustainable development and reduce waste; build a platform to enable upstream and downstream enterprises to strengthen communication and cooperation.

At the same time, the joint working group will strive to promote government departments to create corresponding standards for the sustainable development of food contact materials.

　　During the interview, the reporter learned that although biodegradable plastics have their own "environmental aura", they have not been promoted.

The public and industry's unclear concept of biodegradable plastics is one of the important reasons.

Academician Chen Junshi, who serves as an advisor to the joint working group, believes that cultivating public awareness of science and participation, and correct understanding of food-grade renewable and biodegradable materials are very important to promote the scientific use of recyclable products.

　　Chen Junshi said that the working group will promote the formation of consensus among stakeholders, promote the public to view the environmental protection and safety of materials in an objective manner, correctly understand recycled materials and biodegradable materials, and promote the coordinated formulation of laws, policies and standards at different levels and in different fields.

　　As the chairman of the joint working group, Zhong Huaining pointed out that the working group will, through publicity and education, cultivate the public's good habits of garbage sorting and recycling packaging materials, and guide all walks of life to form a consensus.

Zhong Huaining said at the same time: “We hope that companies, technical institutions, universities and other parties will work together to strengthen research on the environmental protection of biodegradable materials for food contact, and the safety assessment of recycled materials for food contact.” (End)