The Chinese government will impose limits on the use of plastic bags starting on June 1, as part of its dual campaign to protect the environment and save energy.

In a circular posted on the central government’s Web site ( www.gov.cn) on Tuesday, the General Office of the State Council ordered a ban on the production, sale and use of ultra-thin bags (defined as less than 0.025 mm thick) as of June 1. Further, supermarkets and shops will be banned from giving free plastic bags to customers as of that date.

China thus joins many governments that have moved to limit the manufacture, sale and use of plastic bags, according to the circular “Our country consumes a large amount of plastic bags. While convenient for consumers, the bags also lead to a severe waste of resources and environmental pollution because of their excessive use and low rate of recycling,” said the circular. “The ultra-thin bags are the main source of ‘white’ pollution as they can easily get broken and end up as litter.” The campaign will encourage citizens to use fewer plastic bags.

Source: Xinhua

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