China to ban, restrict production, sale and use of disposable plastic products

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–China is set to ban or restrict production, sales and use of disposable plastic products via three stages in the next five years, according to an instruction jointly issued by the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.

The purpose is to strengthen the management of plastic pollution in the world’s second-largest economy.

It end-goal is to reduce consumption of disposable plastic products, promote alternatives and shape new plastic reduction and green logistics models in emerging industries like e-commerce, express delivery and takeaway.

Its purpose is also to build up a plastic products production, distribution, consumption and recycling management system.

The policy explicitly prohibits the production and sale of products including ultra-thin plastic bags with a thickness of less than 0.025 mm and polyethylene agricultural mulch with a thickness of less than 0.01 mm.

By the end of 2020, the production and sale of disposable foam plastic tableware, disposable plastic cotton swabs, and the production of daily chemical products containing plastic microbeads will also be phased out.

The spokesperson of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment says they have selected “some plastic products that are currently in high use, have relatively prominent problems and have a strong social response” for implementation.

-Non-degradable plastic bag

By the end of 2020, non-degradable plastic bags will be forbidden in key cities, and the scope of implementation will be gradually expanded in 2022 and 2025.

-Disposable plastic tableware

At the end of 2020, disposable plastic straws will be banned in the catering industry across the country; disposable plastic tableware banned in key cities; and the scope of implementation will be further expanded in 2022.

By 2025, the consumption of disposable plastic tableware in the catering and takeout area of ​​cities above the prefecture level will be reduced by 30%.

-Disposable plastic items for hotels and hotels

By the end of 2022, star-rated hotels and hotels nationwide should no longer actively provide disposable plastic supplies.

By the end of 2025, all hotels and home-stay businesses will have to follow.

-Express plastic packaging

By the end of 2022, key provinces and cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, Fujian, Zhejiang, Jiangsu and others, are prohibited from using disposable plastic packaging bags and woven bags for express delivery, and the amount of plastic tape should be reduced.

By the end of 2025, nationwide express delivery outlets will follow.

Some market participants said that China began to implement plastic restriction orders as early as 2008, but with the rising demand for living and the development of new industries, China’s use of plastic products, especially disposable plastics, has continued to grow.

Compared with previous policies, this instruction shows the government’s intention to promote pollutants control in a more systematic and orderly manner, and enhance the synergy of policies through the promotion of alternative products and operation models, according to the spokesperson with the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.

The instruction supports the development of recyclable, easily recoverable, degradable alternative materials and products.

It affirms that the Ministry of Ecology and Environment will carry out joint special actions with relevant departments to strengthen supervision and inspection on implementation, and strengthen assessment and accountability on key issues.

China has banned plastics waste import since 2017, and some of the regulations issued this time also started years earlier, some market sources commented.

Focus article by Yvonne Shi

Front page image source: Wu Hong/EPA/Shutterstock

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