China to ban plastic bags

The global campaign to ban plastic bags secured its most powerful ally yet yesterday, when the Chinese government announced it will launch a major crackdown on plastic bag use from this June.

In a statement posted on the central government's website, the General Office of the State Council announced a ban on the production, sale and use of ultra-thin plastic bags that are less than 0.025mm thick. It also said that supermarkets and shops will be banned from distributing free plastic bags to customers.

"Our country consumes a large number of plastic bags," the statement said. " 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."

The notice added that the Ministry of Commerce is working with the National Development and Reform Commission to draw up more detailed regulations.

Under the crackdown, the government said it will also expand recycling facilities, increase R&D focus on plastic recycling techniques and ensure that the tax system plays "a bigger role in controlling production, sales and use of plastic bags and support recycling and comprehensive utilisation of used plastics".

The move is the latest in a series of announcements from the Chinese government designed to challenge perceptions of the country as one of the world's most irresponsible polluters. Last year it released China's first official strategy for tackling climate change, unveiled plans for a series of new eco-cities and bolstered China's position as a global leader in the booming solar energy market.