[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.