Experts From Multiple Countries Praise the Initiative of “Replacing Plastic with Bamboo” as Helpful for Global Governance of Plastic Pollution
June 5th is World Environment Day, and this year’s focus is on “plastic pollution solutions” aimed at reducing global plastic pollution. Experts from multiple countries have stated that the “Replacing Plastic with Bamboo” initiative jointly launched by China and the International Bamboo and Vine Organization will contribute to the global governance of plastic pollution and make positive contributions to promoting sustainable development.
Plastic pollution is one of the most serious environmental problems facing humanity and an important issue of concern to the United Nations Environment Programme. In 2022, China and the International Bamboo and Rattan Organization jointly launched an initiative to deepen cooperation on “replacing plastic with bamboo” globally, and better leverage the role of bamboo in replacing plastic products.
According to data from the United Nations Environment Programme, humans produce over 400 million tons of plastic every year, with tens of millions of tons of plastic waste flowing into the ocean each year. The large amount, wide distribution range, and significant impact of plastic waste have attracted attention from all parties. The increasingly serious problem of plastic pollution also threatens human health.
John Cobb Jr., a member of the National Academy of Humanities in the United States, said that in order to minimize plastic pollution as much as possible, science and technology should be used to develop new resources to reduce plastic use. Finding plastic alternatives is an effective way to reduce plastic use and alleviate plastic pollution from the source, and it is an urgent task for the global response to the plastic pollution crisis. The initiative of “replacing plastic with bamboo” has important practical significance and makes positive contributions to promoting sustainable development. The international community should take action as soon as possible on a larger scale to address global plastic pollution.
Eric Lindbjer, Global Plastic Policy Director at the World Wildlife Fund, believes that finding plastic alternatives is very important, and bamboo and rattan provide a solution. Now is the time for all parties to develop the right specific measures and regulations to achieve necessary changes.
In the opinion of experts, compared with plastic products, bamboo has good toughness, strong plasticity, short growth cycle, convenient planting, and natural advantages as a substitute for plastic. Bamboo, as a green, low-carbon, fast-growing, renewable, and biodegradable biomass material, can directly replace some non biodegradable plastic products in various fields such as packaging and building materials. Replacing plastic with bamboo can increase the proportion of green bamboo products and reduce plastic pollution.
Bamboo can reduce greenhouse gas emissions in various ways: it grows quickly and has strong carbon sequestration capabilities; Durable bamboo products can store carbon for a long time and maintain a low or even zero carbon footprint throughout the entire product lifecycle; Bamboo can replace wood and high energy consuming, high emission plastics, concrete, and steel, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions. From disposable beverage straws to kilometers long drainage pipes… With the support of technology, bamboo products are seeking to replace the dominant position of plastic products in many fields such as packaging, construction, transportation, and chemical industry.
Professor Akira Kagawa from the Northeast Asia Research Center at Tohoku University in Japan said that overall, replacing plastic with bamboo can reduce the use of fossil fuels and help achieve carbon dioxide emissions reduction.
Renato Constantino, Vice Chairman of the Expert Advisory Group of the International Environmental Protection Organization’s Climate Vulnerability Forum, said that from a sustainable development perspective, traditional materials such as bamboo and rattan have more advantages compared to materials such as oil and plastics. Climate change is posing a serious challenge to humanity, and sharing experiences in using traditional materials is also a way to adapt to the times.
Philippine environmental advocate Feng Hernandez said that using natural and sustainable materials such as bamboo as alternatives is the right direction to reduce the production and use of plastic products. Everyone welcomes the initiative of “replacing plastic with bamboo” and looks forward to the Chinese government’s continued support for global plastic reduction efforts
Ronnie Lins, director of the Brazilian Center for China Studies and economist, pointed out that the bamboo and rattan industry is developing rapidly, and bamboo and rattan are excellent alternatives to many plastic products. Implementing the initiative of “replacing plastic with bamboo” will help promote investment innovation in the plastic industry and reduce the impact of plastic pollution on the environment. Bamboo and rattan products have great potential to replace a large number of plastic products, thus better developing the green economy and creating a healthier world.
