Environmentally Degradable Plastics and ICS-UNIDO Global Program

摘要

This paper has given a general introduction about the international efforts in the field of environmentally degradable plastics (EDPs), exemplified by activities at ICS-UNIDO. These activities and projects reveal some major problems that concern both industry and the society, in particular those in developing countries. EDPs provide new chances and yet new challenges to plastic industry, waste management and sustainable development as a whole. To what extent these new products will benefit both the environment and the society will depend much on how effectively we can tackle the challenges facing us. A holistic view, a life cycle strategy and an integrated approach proved to be necessary for the success of large-scale application of EDPs.