The fight back against plastic carrier bags continues

By Trash Talk on Aug 13, 08 10:00 AM in Tony Hitchens

It can be hard to get your head around large numbers.

So take a moment to try to visualise three BILLION plastic carrier bags being used per DAY.

That was the challenge facing the Chinese government. In January of this year they stated their intention to bring in a ban on plastic bags and this came into force on 1 June 2008.

The ban means you can no longer get free plastic bags in shops and supermarkets although you can still buy hardier reusable ones. The Chinese government also says that flimsy plastic bags are banned from all public transportation, airports and beauty spots. It has also banned the production of ultra-thin plastic bags (thinner than 0.025 millimetres).

Of course this kind of change is not going to happen overnight. I have read of market-stall holders still giving out plastic bags and people increasing their use of smaller tear-off-a-roll bags (intended to put loose veg in) but the larger outlets (since they are easier to police) have got in line. I am also sure that habits will change as time goes on and people will get used to carrying shopping bags - just like they used to do before plastic bags came on the scene.

I can only applaud China's effort; this is a big change in a huge country.

It makes some of the other anti-plastic bag campaigns and legislation look a little flimsy.