In January last year, the "Opinions on Further Strengthening the Control of Plastic Pollution" issued by the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment was called "the strongest plastic restriction order in history."

Beijing, Shanghai, Hainan and many other places have accelerated the implementation of plastic restrictions.

The Chengdu version of "the strongest plastic restriction order in history"-"Chengdu Action Plan for Strengthening Plastic Pollution Control" will also enter everyone's lives in 2021.

　　"But there are really a lot of standards, it feels messy, and there is no idea." Mr. Yang, who is engaged in the production of plastic products, refers to the standards of biodegradable plastic bags.

In addition to Mr. Yang, many citizens are also confused about the standards of the "plastic restriction order".

"I support plastic restriction, but I don't know which kind of biodegradable plastic bag is."

　　What kind of degradable plastic bag is, and does the standard need to be marked?

The reporter inquired about relevant standards and interviewed testing agencies.

　　Chengdu Commercial Daily-Red Star News Reporter Lin Cong and Wang Peizhe

Offline Supermarket

Biodegradable plastic bags have different standards, and the materials feel different

　　The reporter visited on the spot and found that the standards of biodegradable plastic bags used by offline supermarkets are not consistent.

　　The “biodegradable plastic shopping bag” used by FamilyMart convenience store is marked with the GB/T38082-2019 standard.

According to the manufacturer, this is a standard commonly used in the industry for degradable plastic bags.

　　However, the plastic shopping bags used by WOWO convenience stores only have the words "degradable eco-friendly bags" without marking the production standard or plastic type.

The feel of this plastic bag is slightly different from that of FamilyMart. It feels thicker and has a smoother surface.

　　In addition, the plastic bag standard of three supermarkets is "plastic shopping bag" (GB/T21661-2008).

Some plastic bags that comply with this standard are printed with the slogan "Environmentally friendly'bag' go home".

Is this plastic bag also degradable?

The business said that it is not a biodegradable plastic bag, and the word "environmental protection" is hoped that everyone can use it many times.

　　In addition to visiting the supermarket, the reporter saw at a sales center in Erxianqiao, which operates hotel food and kitchen supplies, that there are two types of biodegradable plastic bags sold here.

One is similar to the WOWO convenience store, with a smooth surface, and the other is similar to the biodegradable plastic bag used in FamilyMart's convenience store with lighter weight.

Online inquiry

Implementation of multiple standards, different standards in different regions

　　After entering "degradable plastic bags" on the shopping website, the reporter consulted the top five or six stores and learned that the biodegradable plastic bags sold online mainly include biodegradable, starch-based degradation and photodegradation.

　　Among them, biodegradable plastic bags are commonly referred to as fully biodegradable plastic bags. The implementation standard is GB/T38082-2019, using PBAT+PLA, PBAT+PLA+ST and other mixtures, with a relative decomposition rate of more than 90%.

The material is soft, the translucent bag body can be degraded naturally, and the price is relatively expensive.

　　The starch-based degradable plastic bag contains bio-based corn plant starch ST30 degradable material, the implementation standard is GB/T38079-2019, using ST30 plant corn starch mixture, the bio-based content is 20%-50%.

The material is slightly soft, the bag body is milky white and yellowish, which can be buried and degraded, and the price is moderate.

　　The light-degradable plastic bag is made of light-degradable mineral inorganic powder MD40 degradable material, the implementation standard is GB/T20197-2006, using PE+MD40 degradable particle mixture, the degradation rate is more than 30%; the material is hard to the touch, milky white bag body, It can be incinerated into powder, buried and degraded by photo-oxidation, and the price is economical.

　　In addition to the above three implementation standards, the reporter did not see GB/T21661-2008 seen in offline supermarkets in the inspection reports provided by the merchants.

　　Some businesses said that many local policies are different, depending on where they are used. “Full biodegradation is generally used in coastal areas and requires 100% complete degradation in water. At present, Hainan requires full biodegradation, while other areas use starch. Degradation and photodegradation are sufficient."

Standard distinction

The standard has clearly defined how to mark: "mark on the product or outer packaging"

　　The standards for biodegradable plastic bags are dazzling. Are these standards effective?

The reporter inquired about this issue on the national standard full-text disclosure system and industry-related websites.

Except for "GB/T 21661-2008 Plastic Shopping Bag" which was abolished on December 31, 2020 and replaced by "GB/T 21661-2020 Plastic Shopping Bag", other standards are currently valid.

　　It is worth noting that GB/T 20197-2006 clarifies the definition, classification, identification and degradation performance requirements of degradable plastics.

According to this standard, under specified environmental conditions, after a period of time and including one or more steps, it will cause a significant change in the chemical structure of the material, which will result in the loss of certain properties or break the plastic into a degradable plastic.

The final degradation path of degradable plastics according to its design includes biodegradable plastics, compostable plastics, light-degradable plastics, and thermal oxygen-degradable plastics.

　　At the same time, the standard proposes that when a biodegradable plastic product is used, it should be marked on the product or outer packaging.

The photodegradable polypropylene plastic sheet produced in accordance with this standard contains 15% by mass mineral powder and 25% by mass glass fiber, plus 5% photosensitizer. The length, width, and thickness are 500mm, 1000mm, and 2mm, respectively, indicating It is GB/T20197/photodegradable plastic PP-(GF25+MD15)DPA5.