GENERAL MERCHANDISE NEWS
International: China bans bags to cut plastic pollution
9 January, 2008 | by Retail Bulletin
The Chinese Government has announced a countrywide ban on stores which distribute free plastic bags from June 1.
The Government will ban the production of ultra-thin bags less than 0.025mm thick, and require supermarkets to start charging for any plastic bags they provide.
It said in its announcement: “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. “We should encourage people to return to using cloth bags, using baskets for their vegetables.”
