China to phase out single-use plastics

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China has announced major plans to cut back on the sale and production of single-use plastics.

According to the plans put forward by the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, plastic bags will be banned in major cities by the end of 2020 and in all cities and towns by 2022. The restaurant industry will also be banned from using single-use straws by the end of 2020. Markets selling fresh fruits and vegetables will have until 2025 to phase out the bags.

The National Development and Reform Commission stated the following: “We will actively play the role of a responsible big power by turning initiatives into action, translating ideas into practice, and contributing Chinese wisdom and Chinese solutions to the global response to the plastic pollution. Reducing plastic pollution is considered as an important step towards the high-quality development of China’s ecological civilization”.

Oak applauds this decision. We envision a world where our children will grow up in a clean, safe climate, our oceans are healthy and free of plastic, and endangered wildlife can live in safety. To find out more about our work on phasing out plastics through our Environment Programme, click here.

Read more here about China’s decision here.