In 2020, the United Kingdom officially withdrew from the European Union. Although it no longer needs to abide by the latter’s regulatory restrictions, the environmental harm caused by plastic pollution has become a pressing issue that directly affects every citizen of Earth. As a result, from the royal family and government at the top of the nation, down to businesses and everyday people, the UK has taken concrete actions toward "how to phase out plastic products."

After being discarded, plastic products leave behind waste that accumulates year after year—whether in the deep sea, at mountain foothills, or along city streets. The seemingly convenient choice we make today comes at a cost: not only does it inflict irreversible damage on the natural environment, but it also silently and insidiously infiltrates our daily lives, causing harm far beyond what we can imagine.

As the issue of plastic pollution gradually gains global attention, Canadian officials have revealed a startling statistic: Canada uses as many as 15 billion plastic shopping bags annually—and an estimated 16 million plastic straws every single day! To address this pressing situation, Canada has also joined the international movement to reduce plastic consumption.

Today, the rampant proliferation of plastic has become a cross-border threat to our natural environment. To reverse this situation and reduce plastic pollution, international consensus and cooperation are absolutely essential. As a key organization dedicated to advancing global affairs, the United Nations recently convened the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 5.2) in early 2022 in Nairobi, Kenya, where a landmark resolution was adopted.

The French Republic boasts the second-largest economy on the European continent,仅次于德国。The romantic ambiance crafted by French charm captivates countless travelers. Yet, according to statistics, this dreamlike nation generates as many as 4.73 billion discarded plastic cups each year—let alone the fact that only 1% of them are actually recycled! Such waste not only spoils the cityscape but also poses a significant and increasingly alarming threat to the natural environment. This pressing challenge has finally prompted French authorities to recognize that tackling plastic pollution has become an urgent priority.

As governments around the world work to tackle plastic pollution, they are not only rolling out various plastic-reduction initiatives but also actively seeking alternatives to conventional plastics. Among these innovative solutions, PLA plastic—boasting its "biodegradable" claim—immediately gained popularity upon its introduction, offering the global community a promising glimpse of hope in replacing traditional plastics. Yet, does "PLA plastic," which appears poised to effortlessly resolve the plastic crisis, truly live up to the perfect image we—and perhaps even some policymakers—have painted for it?