Steensgaard Ida M, Syberg Kristian, Rist Sinja, Hartmann Nanna B, Boldrin Alessio, Hansen Steffen Foss
Technical University of Denmark, DTU Environment, Miljoevej Building 113, 2800 Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark.
Roskilde University, Department of Science and Environment, Universitetsvej 1, Building 11.2, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark.
Environ Pollut. 2017 May;224:289-299. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.02.007. Epub 2017 Feb 17.
Plastic pollution and its environmental effects has received global attention the recent years. However, limited attention has so far been directed towards how plastics are regulated in a life cycle perspective and how regulatory gaps can be addressed in order to limit and prevent environmental exposure and hazards of macro- and microplastics. In this paper, we map European regulation taking outset in the life cycle perspective of plastic carrier bags: from plastic bag production to when it enters the environment. Relevant regulatory frameworks, directives and authorities along the life cycle are identified and their role in regulation of plastics is discussed. Most important regulations were identified as: the EU chemical Regulation, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive including the amending Directive regarding regulation of the consumption of lightweight plastic carrier bags, the Waste Framework Directive and the Directive on the Landfill of Waste. The main gaps identified relate to lack of clear definitions of categories of polymers, unambitious recycling rates and lack of consideration of macro- and microplastics in key pieces of legislation. We recommend that polymers are categorized according to whether they are polymers with the same monomer constituents (homopolymers) or with different monomer constituents (copolymers) and that polymers are no longer exempt from registration and evaluation under REACH. Plastics should furthermore have the same high level of monitoring and reporting requirements as hazardous waste involving stricter requirements to labelling, recordkeeping, monitoring and control over the whole lifecycle. Finally, we recommend that more ambitious recycle and recovery targets are set across the EU. Regulation of the consumption of lightweight plastic carrier bags should also apply to heavyweight plastic carrier bags. Last, the Marine and Water Framework Directives should specifically address plastic waste affecting water quality.
近年来，塑料污染及其环境影响已受到全球关注。然而，迄今为止，对于如何从生命周期角度对塑料进行监管以及如何解决监管漏洞以限制和防止宏观和微塑料的环境暴露及危害，人们关注有限。在本文中，我们从塑料购物袋的生命周期角度出发，梳理欧洲的相关法规：从塑料袋生产到其进入环境。我们确定了整个生命周期中相关的监管框架、指令和管理机构，并讨论了它们在塑料监管中的作用。最重要的法规被确定为：欧盟化学品法规、《包装和包装废弃物指令》（包括关于轻质塑料购物袋消费监管的修订指令）、《废弃物框架指令》以及《废弃物填埋指令》。所确定的主要差距涉及聚合物类别缺乏明确界定、回收目标不高以及关键立法中未考虑宏观和微塑料。我们建议根据聚合物是由相同单体成分组成的聚合物（均聚物）还是由不同单体成分组成的聚合物（共聚物）进行分类，并且聚合物不应再免于根据《化学品注册、评估、授权和限制法规》（REACH）进行注册和评估。此外，塑料应与危险废物一样，具有相同的高水平监测和报告要求，包括在整个生命周期内对标签、记录保存、监测和控制提出更严格的要求。最后，我们建议在欧盟范围内设定更具雄心的回收和再利用目标。对轻质塑料购物袋消费的监管也应适用于重型塑料购物袋。最后，《海洋和水框架指令》应特别关注影响水质的塑料废物。
