Thu, Jan 01, 2026 page8

• EDITORIAL: Managing the plastics problem

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  The Ministry of Environment on Monday announced new plastic-reduction targets, including proposed restrictions on plastic wrapping for e-commerce and retail products. The measures mark a renewed effort to curb plastic use after years of underwhelming results.

  The ministry said it has promoted plastic reduction policies since 2018, but most targets have not been met.

  The new rules would improve “user pays” mechanisms, introduce economic incentives, expand the scope of regulations and enhance public education on plastic reduction, Minister of Environment Peng Chi-ming (彭啟明) said.

  The ministry would initially focus on encouraging greener packaging before introducing outright restrictions, Resource Circulation Administration Director-General Lai Ying-ying (賴瑩瑩) said.

  Measures could include banning polyvinyl chloride containers, promoting packaging-free shopping and encouraging the adoption of reusable packaging.

  The urgency of tackling plastic waste is hard to overstate. Of the 400 million tonnes of plastic produced globally each year, only about 9.5 percent is made from recycled material. A large majority — roughly 80 to 90 percent — of plastic waste is either sent to landfill or wantonly discarded, entering the environment. Nearly 8 million tonnes of plastic enter the oceans each year, according to World Economic Forum estimates.

  The failure of plastic recycling to meaningfully reduce waste is not simply the result of poor consumer behavior — structural, economic and technical barriers limit what recycling systems can realistically achieve. Plastic is not a single material. There are dozens of polymer types, including PET, HDPE, PVC and polystyrene, and many products incorporate multiple layers, colors and chemical additives. Plasticizers, flame retardants, stabilizers and PFAS chemicals cannot be easily removed during recycling, limiting the safety and usability of recycled plastic in many applications. Food residue, labels and other contaminants further complicate the process. As a result, plastics must be carefully sorted into relatively pure streams, which pushes up recycling costs and reduces efficiency.

  Mechanical recycling — the dominant method worldwide — involves sorting, shredding and melting plastic, which degrades polymer quality, meaning plastic can be recycled only a few of times before it is rendered unviable. The result is downcycling, in which plastic is converted into lower-value products such as construction materials or outdoor furniture, rather than being turned back into food-grade packaging.

  Economic factors also play a decisive role. Virgin plastic is cheaper to produce than recycled plastic, especially when oil prices are low. This price imbalance discourages investment in recycling infrastructure and technology, undermining recycling targets even in jurisdictions with stronger waste management systems.

  One response has been the promotion of reusable packaging, including refill stations, deposit-return schemes and loop systems that allow containers to be used multiple times. Retailers in some markets have begun piloting reuse programs, often offering discounts to customers who bring their own containers.

  While these models can reduce single-use packaging, they rely heavily on changes in consumer behavior and sacrifice some of the convenience that underpins modern consumption. Fast food, for example, is often a spontaneous purchase driven by time constraints or price considerations. Expecting consumers to carry reusable containers at all times might reduce uptake and shift demand elsewhere.

  Although reducing non-recyclable plastics is a necessary goal, reuse schemes alone are unlikely to achieve the scale required to significantly reduce plastic waste.

  A more promising complement lies in advances in material science. Researchers are developing alternatives that could address packaging needs without relying on conventional oil-based plastics.

  Some beverage companies are experimenting with paper-based bottles and alternative linings, while food and drink packaging increasingly uses molded fiber and starch-based materials.

  An emerging alternative is packaging made from plant proteins and fibers, such as wheat gluten, soy protein, algae or agricultural waste. Such materials often break down more readily and some can be composted at lower temperatures. Challenges remain in terms of durability, moisture resistance and production costs, but more research could make them viable at scale.

  Researchers are developing artificial intelligence-designed polymers that can be chemically recycled back into their original monomers. While these materials do not biodegrade, they allow for true closed-loop recycling, potentially avoiding the quality loss associated with mechanical recycling.

  The government should invest in research into compostable packaging and chemically recyclable polymers, and support dedicated recycling infrastructure. If Taiwan could apply its technological strengths to this challenge, it could become a leader in advanced materials design. Sharing such innovations would not only enhance the nation’s standing on the global stage, but also help address the growing problem of plastic waste.
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