Update Date: 2010/09/29 [Reporters Liu Liren, Gao Jiahe / Taipei Report]

Plastic wrap is widely used and indispensable for homemakers, but PVC (Polyvinylchloride) wrap contains plasticizers. Although it has good adhesion, it can easily leach out when microwaved or used to wrap food, and may produce dioxins when incinerated. The Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) plans to ban the manufacturing, import, and retail sale of PVC and PVDC (Polyvinylidene Chloride) plastic wrap starting in 2013.

Xu Zhilun, section chief of the EPA’s Waste Management Department, stated that if retailers such as hypermarkets, supermarkets, or convenience stores sell these products to general consumers in the future, they will be fined NT$1,200 for violating Article 51 of the Waste Disposal Act. Manufacturers or importers supplying these products for retail sale will face fines ranging from NT$60,000 to NT$300,000.

PVC Contains Plasticizers and Heavy Metals

Xie Helin, secretary-general of the Taiwan Watch Institute, explained that PVC is the only chlorine-containing plastic among the five major general-purpose plastics (PE, PVC, PP, PS, ABS). Without plasticizers, PVC is rigid like water pipes, so plasticizers are added to improve flexibility. Additionally, PVC has poor thermal stability, so stabilizers—often heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and zinc—are added to prevent degradation under high temperatures or sunlight.

Wu Tianji, director of the EPA’s Waste Management Department, noted that the potential hazards of chlorine-containing plastics during production, use, and disposal have drawn widespread attention in recent years. This year, the Legislative Yuan passed a resolution urging the EPA to propose a ban. While the direction of the ban has been decided, implementation timelines remain uncertain due to industry opposition.

Xie Helin pointed out that PVC wrap is ubiquitous. Street vendors wrap bright red watermelon in thin plastic film, and restaurant staff cover bowls of chicken soup to prevent spills—almost all of it is PVC. Hypermarkets also use PVC to package fresh produce, poultry, and meat. The EPA’s ban on household plastic wrap is insufficient; commercial use should also be prohibited. PE (Polyethylene) is a suitable alternative to PVC and would not impact consumers.

Environmental Groups Advocate PE as a PVC Replacement

Wang Qinghua, general manager of the Plastics Industry Association, objected, arguing that banning PVC and PVDC wrap is unreasonable, as Taiwan would be the only country globally to do so. Environmental groups claim PVC releases harmful substances when heated due to vinyl chloride monomer (VCM). However, international standards limit VCM in PVC to 10 ppm, while Taiwan’s standard is 1 ppm, which is very strict. Moreover, Taiwan’s incinerators operate at 1,000°C, and PVC completely burns at 850°C, preventing dioxin formation.

Xu Zhilun added that South Korea banned PVC shrink wrap in 2001 and prohibited PVC packaging for eggs, fried foods, hamburgers, and sandwiches in 2004. Many U.S. states are also considering bans.

Industry Opposition: Ban Is Unreasonable

Wang Qinghua countered that PVC wrap offers better stretchability and adhesion than PE wrap, and an abrupt ban would cause significant inconvenience to many retailers.

The EPA estimates that banning PVC wrap will reduce the annual use of 3,200 metric tons of chlorine-containing household plastic wrap, equivalent to cutting 1,555 metric tons of chlorine entering incinerators—about 30% of the chlorine content in household waste incineration.

Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ art……url/ d/ a/ 100929/ 78/ 2dy6r. html