Source: CCTV.com
01-10-2008 11:15
Free plastic shopping bags will be banned in China, starting from June. The State Council announced restrictions on the production, sale, and use of all plastic carrier bags in an effort to cut down on waste.
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| The State Council announced restrictions on the production, sale, and use of all plastic carrier bags in an effort to cut down on waste.(Photo: godpp.gov.cn) |
It is free of charge, and convenient to use.
But when vast numbers of them are thrown away, it's a different story for the environment.
Every year, this supermarket gives away more than two million plastic bags. And that's just one small outlet. On the national level, the problem is serious.
According to official figures, as many as 3 bln plastic bags are used in China every day, amounting to millions of tons of waste every year. This is an intolerable pressure. The government's ban on plastic bags is the latest move to save resources and protect the environment.
From the first of June, the government will ban the production of thin and low quality bags currently handed out in vast quantities. For retailers, new rules mean a change in selling strategies.
Cao Jingli, Huapu Supermarket said "We're very concerned about the new policy. We're working on alternative materials for our next generation of shopping bags, and we'll inform our customers in advance the choices they have for carrying the goods they buy. "
Consumers, meanwhile, must adjust. They're encouraged to bring their own bags when they shop. But if they still want a plastic bag from the store, they will have to buy one.
One customer said "Personally I support this decision. I used to carry a cotton bag myself for shopping. I am not sure whether other people may like it, because something that's free now, will have to be paid for. I think there needs to be lots of public awareness efforts. "
On the government level, measures will set up for collecting, delivering, storing and recycling plastic bags. The authorities say they hope all this will cut the use of plastic bags by more than sixty percent.
Editor:Xiong Qu
