Source: CCTV.com

05-12-2008 09:53

China has released new rules for plastic bags. They will take effect in June. The move aims to crack down on one of the country's key environmental hazards.

China's new standards for plastic bags have  been officially released.

The new rules require retailers to charge consumers for using plastic bags. They are also banned from handing out colored plastic bags. Authorities say those bags are mainly made of plastic that can harm the environment. The rules also require that the bags be at least 0.025 millimeters thick, so that they can be reused.

Dong Jinshi, Deputy Chairman China Plastic Association, said, Most plastic bags don't meet the minimum thickness standard. Some wholesalers hand out plastic bags with a thickness of only 0.01 millimeter. While most of those provided by the supermarkets are only around 0.020 millimeter.

Many countries around the world have begun to forbid the free use of plastic bags. Ireland has even imposed an environmental tax on each plastic bag. The move effectively cut the use amount of those bags.

Experts say the eventual goal of China's new standards is to change consumers' shopping habits. It's estimated that Chinese people use up to three billion plastic bags a day. Experts say if everyone can use just one plastic bag a day, he or she can save around 300 bags a year. And that would mean as much as a 2-thirds reduction in the use of plastic bags for the entire country.

 

Editor:Du Xiaodan