[Policy Analysis in Plastic Pollution Governance and Recommendations in China].

Plastic pollution is a global concern and an issue in environmental governance. Based on the updated "Plastic Prohibition/Restriction Order" issued recently in China, the present study systematically reviewed the implementation effectiveness of the "Plastic Prohibition/Restriction Order" since 2007. Furthermore, we summarized plastics in China and plastic waste management progress policies. Additionally, three deficiencies of the updated "Plastic Prohibition/Restriction Order" were discussed:policy formulation, implementation, and supervision. Some positive recommendations were provided based on the available reports, such as integrating plastic pollution into national basic laws and regulation systems, building a network platform for public attendance, and coordinating the publicity of the "Plastic prohibition/Restriction Order" with the public interest. Besides these measurements, some points about plastic waste management in the future were also highlighted, such as the "blind area" in small retail stores, the rational sharing of environmental protection responsibility, new materials and processes, and recycling and disposal systems for plastic wastes. Most importantly, the present study could provide ideas for policy-makers to address plastic pollution at its sources.

Microplastics in the surface water of small-scale estuaries in Shanghai.

This study involved an assessment of the levels of microplastic pollution in seven small-scale estuaries in Shanghai for the first time. The abundance of microplastics ranged from 13.53 ±â€¯4.6 to 44.93 ±â€¯9.41 particles L-1, with a mean abundance of 27.84 ±â€¯11.81 particles L-1. Microplastics collected from samples were classified into four types (fiber, film, granule, and fragment), and granules were the most abundant type. Up to 99.5% of microplastics were <2 mm in diameter. The microplastics had a variety of colors, with black being the dominant color. Polypropylene (37.5%) and polyethylene (50%) were the main types of microplastic component validated. Our study showed severe microplastic pollution in small-scale estuaries, and the associated rivers need urgent attention for microplastic pollution prevention.

Microplastics releasing from personal care and cosmetic products in China.

Microplastics (MPs) have become a major global issue; their release from various products affects the aquatic environment, especially marine ecosystems. As a primary source of MPs, personal care and cosmetics products (PCCPs) containing MPs contribute to this environmental risk. We visited several supermarket chains in Beijing, China to identify PCCPs containing MPs. Overall, 7.1% of facial cleansers contained MPs, with an average weight of 25.04±10.69mgMP/g and average size of 313±130µm; whereas, 2.2% of shower gel products contained an average weight of 17.80±7.50mgMPs/g with an average size of 422±185µm. The majority of MPs were made of polyethylene, based on Raman and Fourier transform-infrared spectra analyses, while only a few were made of walnut shells and carbon particles. Finally, estimated 39tons MPs were released into the environment based on PCCPs use in China based on available data.