Free bags will help save the planet

By Zhang Jun 2008-6-6

Susan Zhang (right), a worker with the Shanghai Luwan Environmental Protection Bureau, gives a cloth bag to a passerby at Huaihai Park yesterday.

ABOUT 1 million free e-friendly bags were distributed in the city to mark World Environment Day yesterday.

Organized by the China Environmental Protection Foundation, the free bags were handed out in residential areas to replace plastic bags.

Representatives from more than 60 local communities also signed a board at the activity site, indicating their resolve to reduce plastic bag use.

From this month, the State Council ruled that no stores, supermarkets and groceries were allowed to offer free plastic bags.

But the new regulation posed a challenge for local people, especially the elderly, who were accustomed to free plastic bags in supermarkets or wet markets.

Organizers said the e-friendly bags, made of non-woven fabrics, were as convenient as plastic bags while not harming the environment.

Meanwhile, the Shanghai Economic Commission teamed up with East China Normal University to hold an e-friendly bag design contest. More than 6,000 locals submitted 200-plus bag designs.

Commission officials said they would recommend that the best-designed ones be put into production.

At HSBC Bank (China), the company marked World Environment Day by handing out more than 10,000 energy saving bulbs to its more than 5,000 staff members.

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China joins the war on unfriendly plastic bags

2008-6-2

CHINA has become the latest country to declare war on plastic bags in a drive to save energy and protect the environment.

Under new regulations which came into force yesterday, flimsy bags under 0.025 millimeters thick are banned and all retailers, including supermarkets, department stores and grocery stores, must charge for carrier bags. Those found breaking the law face fines.

China, which consumes at least 1,300 tons of oil daily to produce bags for supermarkets alone, is following in the footsteps of countries such as Ireland, Rwanda and Bangladesh. Italy is due to introduce a ban by 2010.

"Customers are encouraged to carry their own bags," said Men Xiaowei, an official with the Ministry of Commerce.

"It is a 'habit revolution.' To limit the use of plastic bags is to protect our environment," Men said.

Shoppers in China have enjoyed free plastic bags for more than a decade.

They were a great convenience for shoppers but placed a heavy burden to the environment.

"Plastic bags are difficult to degrade," Men said. "Plastic waste accounts for more than 3 to 5 percent of daily waste, most of which comes from plastic bags."

Retailers are free to set prices for shopping bags but they must not be cheaper than they cost to produce.

"Retailers worried that they might lose customers if they charge too much for shopping bags," Men said.

"But our goal is to reduce the use of plastic bags."

Retailers who do not list shopping bags on receipts or continued to provide free plastic bags could be fined from 5,000 yuan (US$720) to 10,000 yuan, according to the State Administration for Industry and Commerce.

The administration said there would be a two-month review of plastic bag distributors and regular patrols in supermarkets and various stores.

Ultra-thin bags are the main target because they are typically used just once and then thrown away.



Agencies/Shanghai Daily