Chinese plastic manufacturers are responsible for nearly 30 percent of global plastic production. That’s an alarmingly high amount for one country, but the good news is that Chinese plastic makers are increasingly switching to biodegradable materials as the government ramps up regulations against single-use plastics.
Mainly, companies are upping the use of agricultural sources such as corn, sugar cane and other crops to lessen their dependence on oil-based plastics and develop more environment-friendly plastics that can be composted.
Additionally, orders for biodegradable straws made from polylactide acid (PLA) – a type of biodegradable plastic raw material – have exploded in the past few months amid rising concerns from consumers over the detrimental effect of plastic products on the environment. Research shows that the Chinese production of biodegradable material is expected to climb over 15 percent per year until at least 2022, indicating a promising future for eco-friendly plastics.
