Japan plans to revise its basic policy on coastal drifting garbage to deal with microplastics
China news network November 8, according to Japan's Kyodo News agency reported, local time on the 7th, the Japanese Ministry of Environment announced the basic policy of coastal drift to litter modification program, called to reduce plastic waste leading to serious Marine pollution, requiring enterprises to reduce the use of plastic microbeads in facial cleanser and toothpaste. The revised plan will be summarized within the year.
The plan also requires restaurants and retail stores to take the initiative to stop using plastic bags, straws and other disposable plastic products; And urges fishing personnel to completely prevent plastic fishing gear from flowing into the sea.
It is reported that plastic bags that flow into the sea will be broken under the action of ultraviolet light and waves, and become microplastics less than 5 millimeters in size. As the actual pollution situation and the impact on the ecosystem are still unclear, the Japanese government will devote itself to investigation and study. The recovery and disposal of floating and undersea debris will be carried out jointly by the central and local governments.
The Environment Ministry presented the revised plan to the expert meeting. A participant pointed out: "The possibility of recycling microplastics in the sea is very small. Reducing emissions is important."
The basic policy for dealing with coastal garbage stipulates that the central and local governments should share responsibilities, cooperate with the private sector to reduce emissions, and promote recycling.
In addition, specific measures such as plastic bag charges and numerical targets have also been discussed as a "plastic resource recycling strategy", and the general framework will be summarized within the year.