China launched a crackdown on plastic bags Tuesday, banning
production of ultra-thin bags and forbidding supermarkets and shops
from handing out free carriers from June 1.
China uses too many bags and fails to dispose of them properly,
wasting valuable oil and littering the country, China's cabinet,
the State Council, said in a notice posted on the central
government Website (www.gov.cn).
"Our country consumes huge amounts of plastic bags every year.
While providing convenience to consumers, they have also caused
serious pollution, and waste of energy and resources, because of
excessive use and inadequate recycling," it said.
Worries about pollution are growing among citizens, as years of
breakneck growth take their toll on the country's air and water,
but the new ban may not be universally welcomed.
Late last year the southern boom town of Shenzhen sparked a
public controversy by unveiling draft regulations to ban free
plastic bags in its shops.
Shopkeepers were worried that customers might be turned
away.
According to the new rules, from June shops, supermarkets and
sales outlets would be forbidden to offer free plastic bags and all
carriers must be clearly marked with their prices.
"We should encourage people to return to carrying cloth bags,
using baskets for their vegetables," the notice said.
In addition the manufacture, sale and use of bags under 0.025mm
thick is banned from the same date, with fines and confiscation of
goods and profits for firms that flout the rules.
The cabinet also said finance authorities should consider
adjusting taxes to discourage the production and sale of plastic
bags and encourage the recycling industry.
Rubbish collectors were urged to separate plastic for
reprocessing and cut the amount burned or buried.
The move brings China in line with a growing international trend
to cut back on the use of plastic bags. From Ireland to Uganda and
South Africa, governments have experimented with heavy taxes,
outright bans or eliminating the thinnest bags.
Chinese people use up to three billion plastic bags a day.
(Shanghai Daily January 9, 2008)