Plastic Bag Use In China

66-Percent Drop in Plastic Bag Use In China

Its well known fact that most of China’s used plastic bags are not recycled. They are littered on landscapes, polluting waterways, and filling “unofficial” dump sites.

Now, a stringent Chinese limit on ultra-thin plastic bags, has significantly reduced bag-related pollution nationwide during the past year. According to government estimates, the country avoided the use of 40 billion bags.

The litter caused by the used plastic bags has been referred to as "white pollution." Plastic bags are commonly found on beaches ,in waterways, and in other "unofficial" dumping sites across China.

The State Council, China's parliament, responded in January 2008 by prohibiting shops, supermarkets, and sales outlets from providing free plastic bags that are less than 0.025 millimeters thick. The State Administration of Industry and Commerce also threatened to fine shopkeepers and vendors as much as 10,000 yuan (US$1,465) if they were caught distributing free bags.

Supermarket consumers are used to bringing along shopping bags and reusing plastic bags," an association statement said. "The awareness of environment is enhanced. The declined usage of plastic bags has no negative effect on the sales of supermarkets."