China, with a population of 1.3 billion people, consumes up to 3 billion plastic shopping bags daily, equivalent to 37 million barrels of oil annually. Millions of these bags find their way to the open seas contributing to "White Pollution" and the death of marine life.
January 9, the State Council announced that effective June 1, China will totally ban ultra-thin plastic bags requiring alternatives that meet new regulations that promote reuse, reduction and recycling. The regulation package also includes improvement of government operated recycling centers to facilitate proper recycling of packaging meeting the new regulations.
In doing so, China joins Bangladesh, Ireland, South Africa, Taiwan and Uganda in prohibiting use of these environmentally hazardous disposables and establishing infrastructure to promote alternatives. The new regulations represent a significant victory for environmental activists in China who have worked long and hard to influence Environmental Policy. Environmental organizations worldwide are praising Chinas decision and encouraging other major nations to follow suit.
A State Council (China's Cabinet) Press release expained:
"Our country consumes a huge amount of plastic shopping bags each year. While plastic shopping bags provide convenience to consumers, this has caused a serious waste of energy and resources and environmental pollution because of excessive usage, inadequate recycling and other reasons."
"The ultra-thin bags are the main source of "white" pollution as they can easily get broken and end up as litter. We should encourage people to return to carrying cloth bags, using baskets for their vegetables."
International Herald Tribune (EN)
Inhabitat (EN)
The Daily Green (EN)
** Updated Links to previous Dkos Diaries **
A Siegal - "Take your canvas bags ..." viral videoing to change the world
Eddie C - China Declares War against Plastic Bags.
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Regulations in Brief
Effective June 1:
- Production, sale and use of ultra-thin plastic bags less than 0.025 millimeters (0.00098 inch) thick is prohibited
- All supermarkets, department stores and shops will be prohibited from providing free plastic bags although they will be permitted to provide free recyclable paper
- Reusable fiber or heavy weight recycled plastic bags meeting the new standards may be sold to customers but the price must be clearly marked and may not be included for free
- Penalties for violating the regulations will include fines and confiscation of profits.
- Banned bags will be prohibited from being carried on all forms of public transportation and from use in bus stations, train stations and airports.
Additionally, the government will encourage improved recycling by:
- Establishing guidelines for recyclers and promoting greater segregation of wastes to facilitate and increase recycling
- Establish or improve recycling in municipal waste management infrastructure (already established in some cities)
- The Finance Ministry will draft tax regulations to promote the preferred reusable paper, fabric and basket containers and discourage plastic and disposables
Significantly, the law totally bans production of ultra-thin bags effectively reducing the world supply of these environmentally hazardous packaging materials.
Prior to drafting the regulations, the Chinese Government consulted with packaging material producers and retail organizations to identify alternatives, best practices and encourage them to prepare for the transition.
Following the government's announcement of the new regulations several major retailers outlined thier plans to phase-in alternatives or publicize their existing measures to comply with the law and promote resuse and recycling.
Will the USA be the next major country to join this International Environmental Movement to combat "White Pollution"?
Why not?