China hands out plastic bags

China has issued a ban on the production of ultra-thin plastic bags and banned supermarkets and shops from giving away free bags to buyers since June 1.

China used too many bags and used it in an unreasonable way, wasted a lot of oil and created a huge waste source, the State Council said in a statement posted on the Chinese government website.

"Our country consumes a large amount of plastic bags every year. While creating favorable conditions for customers, this is also the cause of serious pollution, energy and resource waste, because overuse and unreasonable disposal '' , the website cites such notice.

China banned free bags for shoppers in supermarkets and stores (Photo: Picasaweb)

Although there are growing concerns about increased environmental pollution in cities, the new ban may not be fully responsive.

At the end of last year, in Shenzhen, a debate broke out when a draft ban on free plastic bags was issued in stores. Shop owners are worried that their customers will not come to buy goods.

Under the new rules, from June, all stores, supermarkets and dealers will not be allowed to distribute plastic bags for free, and every buyer must pay for the bags."We should encourage people to go back to using cloth bags, use baskets with vegetables '' , notices in addition. In addition, production, distribution and use of bags of thickness below 0.25mm are also Prohibited (from June). Regulations on fine and confiscation of goods if violated are also issued.

The State Council of China also said that the country's financial institutions need to consider changing the appropriate tariffs to prevent the production and sale of plastic bags, boosting the recycling industry. The Chinese government also asked the garbage collector to increase the classification of plastic bags for recycling, reducing the amount of plastic bags used.

China's new ban lies in the international trend of cutting plastic bags. From Ireland to Uganda and South Africa, governments have all tried to impose a large, completely banned or partially banned use of ultra-thin bags.

It is estimated that Chinese people use more than three billion plastic bags a day.

United Mail