China has begun ramping up its restrictions on harmful single-use plastics.
According to Reuters, the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment this week issued a new policy that will ban the use of plastic bags in all major cities by the end of 2020, with smaller towns and cities required to follow suit by 2022.
Plastic straws will also be phased out in major cities by the end of this year, and the restaurant industry will be required to reduce single-use plastic consumption by 30% in towns and smaller cities before 2025.
Other disposable tableware items, such as plastic cutlery and carryout containers, are soon expected to be included in the phase-out as well.
Reporters go on to say that China has continued to speed up recycling rates by implementing more and more “comprehensive resource utilization” facilities across the country.
