There is an old expression, if you want to correct something that others do, you should first correct it youself. It's an expression the Chinese goverment can claim it is following in its efforts to tackle one of the world's most significant litter problems, the plastic bag.
January 2009, China's ban on free plastic bags drew a mixed response from shoppers and store owners. Beijing Evening News reported, one day after ban kicked off, authorities in Beijing fined a shop 10,000 yuan for "secretly using ultra-thin plastic bags".
Under China's new anti-plastic bag laws, filmsy bags under 0.025 mm thick are banned and shopkeepers must charge for carrier bags. Those found breaking the law face fines and could have their good confiscated.
As we know, plastic is fantastic. It's versatile, durable, waterproof, convenient and cheap. But, with all benefits of plastic bags come along a list of nagging problems, and the most problematic of all is their sheer persistence. Plastic bags take between 20 and 1000 years to break down in the environment.
China consumes 37 million barrels of crude oil each year to manufacture more than one trillion plastic bags. It is following in the footsteps of countries such as Ireland, Rwanda and Bangladesh to introduce a ban.
January 2009, China's ban on free plastic bags drew a mixed response from shoppers and store owners. Beijing Evening News reported, one day after ban kicked off, authorities in Beijing fined a shop 10,000 yuan for "secretly using ultra-thin plastic bags".
Under China's new anti-plastic bag laws, filmsy bags under 0.025 mm thick are banned and shopkeepers must charge for carrier bags. Those found breaking the law face fines and could have their good confiscated.
As we know, plastic is fantastic. It's versatile, durable, waterproof, convenient and cheap. But, with all benefits of plastic bags come along a list of nagging problems, and the most problematic of all is their sheer persistence. Plastic bags take between 20 and 1000 years to break down in the environment.
China consumes 37 million barrels of crude oil each year to manufacture more than one trillion plastic bags. It is following in the footsteps of countries such as Ireland, Rwanda and Bangladesh to introduce a ban.
How about Malaysia? Are we ready to conserve our environment by using a paper bag as an alternative? The answer is in your hand.. play a part and do your role.. If it is not now, WHEN? and if it is not you, WHO?
extra reading: http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/01/09/asia/plastic.php
credit to: International Herald Tribune, Daily Express and Guardian.UK
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