Maya Ellison
China has been working to reduce its plastic waste for years. In 2017, China announced a ban on the import of foreign plastic waste, and in 2020, the country introduced a plan to phase out solid waste imports. On January 1, 2021, a plastic ban took effect in China, prohibiting restaurants from providing single-use plastic straws and stores in major cities from providing plastic shopping bags. The country aims to phase out most single-use plastic items by 2025 and boost green manufacturing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Single-use plastic bags banned in | Major cities by the end of 2020, with a full ban in all cities and towns by 2022 |
| Plastic bags banned in markets selling fresh produce by | 2025 |
| Plastic bags banned if thickness is less than | 0.025mm |
| Plastic films banned if thickness is less than | 0.01mm |
| Plastic straws banned nationwide by | 2020 |
| Plastic utensils banned by | 2025 |
| Plastic packaging banned for postal and courier services in | Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, and Guangdong by 2022, and nationwide by 2025 |
| Plastic microbeads in cosmetic products banned by | 2022 |
| Plastic waste imports banned by | 2021 |
| Plastic bags banned in large supermarkets in major cities by | End of 2020 |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic bags will be banned in major cities by 2022
Plastic pollution has been a pressing global issue for years, and China, one of the world's biggest users of plastic, has been taking steps to tackle this problem. The country has been working to reduce its citizens' waste and has implemented various laws and policies to curb plastic usage.
In 2008, China banned the production of ultra-thin plastic bags and required retailers to charge for plastic carrier bags. However, this did not include the free inner plastic packaging bags used in supermarkets. In 2017, China announced it would no longer import foreign plastic waste, a ban that took effect on January 1, 2021.
On January 16, 2020, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment jointly issued a policy document, "The Opinions on Further Strengthening the Cleanup of Plastic Pollution." This outlined a five-year roadmap to restrict the use of plastic products, with shopping bags to be restricted by 2022.
By the end of 2020, all supermarkets in major cities were prohibited from using non-biodegradable plastic bags. The production and sale of plastic bags less than 0.025 mm thick were also banned. Plastic bags will be banned in all major cities by the end of 2022, with a full ban in all cities and towns, excluding markets selling fresh produce, by 2025. Postal and courier services in developed areas, including Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Guangdong, will also be prohibited from using non-degradable plastic packaging bags by 2022.
The plastic ban has had varying levels of success across different industries. Larger supermarkets have been quicker to adopt biodegradable alternatives, while smaller stores have lagged. The takeout industry has also had a slow start, with some restaurants claiming to be unaware of the new policies. However, popular brands like HEYTEA now offer biodegradable, paper, or no-straw options. The ban is expected to boost green manufacturing and reduce domestic plastic demand and waste. However, there are concerns about the cost impact on small businesses and the availability of substitute materials, especially for single-use plastic food containers.
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Plastic bags under 0.025mm thick are banned
Plastic bags have been a significant contributor to China's waste problem. In 2017, the country collected 215 million tonnes of urban household waste. In an effort to reduce plastic waste, China implemented a ban on ultra-thin plastic bags under 0.025 mm thick. This ban is part of a broader set of restrictions on the production, sale, and use of single-use plastic products, which also includes plastic straws and utensils.
The plastic bag ban in China specifically targets ultra-thin bags due to their environmental impact. Bags thinner than 0.025 mm are often un-durable and seldom reused, leading to their ban in 2008, with only thicker bags allowed for circulation. This thickness threshold has been maintained in subsequent legislation, including the 2020 upgraded law and the 2021 ban.
The production and sale of plastic bags under 0.025 mm thick are prohibited under the current regulations. This restriction is intended to reduce the number of single-use plastic bags and encourage the use of more durable and reusable alternatives. By banning the production and sale of these ultra-thin bags, China aims to decrease the volume of plastic waste generated in the country.
The ban on ultra-thin plastic bags is part of China's broader strategy to address its waste management challenges and promote environmental sustainability. The country has introduced various laws and policies to tackle plastic pollution, including restrictions on the import of foreign plastic waste and encouraging the use of biodegradable materials.
While the ban on ultra-thin plastic bags is a significant step, China continues to grapple with plastic waste. The ban's effectiveness is impacted by factors such as consumer habits, enforcement challenges, and the availability of alternatives. Additionally, China's large population and rapid economic growth contribute to the ongoing waste management issues.
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Plastic postal and courier packages banned by 2025
China has been taking steps to reduce its plastic consumption and waste for several years. In 2008, the country banned retailers from giving out free plastic bags and banned the production of ultra-thin plastic bags. In 2017, China announced it would no longer import foreign plastic waste.
In 2020, China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment issued a policy document outlining a five-year roadmap to restrict the use of plastic products such as shopping bags, straws, and utensils by 2020, 2022, and 2025, respectively. This plan included a ban on nondegradable plastic bags in shopping malls, supermarkets, pharmacies, book stores, and food takeout services in major cities by the end of 2020, with other cities and towns to follow by 2022.
As part of this plan, postal and courier services in specified developed areas, including Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, and Guangdong, will be prohibited from using nondegradable plastic packaging bags by 2022, with the ban to be applied nationwide by 2025. This ban includes not only plastic bags but also plastic tapes and disposable woven bags used in postal packaging.
The Chinese government is also working to improve its recycling infrastructure and policies to encourage green biodegradable packaging. The goal is to have a more organized and standardized recycling system, with more than 1,000 green sorting centers to be built by 2025.
The impact of these policies is already being seen, with many supermarkets and restaurants switching to biodegradable alternatives. However, the demand for biodegradable plastics is skyrocketing, and the industry is still small and fragmented, with demand outweighing supply.
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Plastic waste imports banned since 2021
China has long been the world's largest consumer of plastic and, until 2017, the largest importer of plastic waste. In 2017, China announced a ban on the import of most plastic waste, which came into effect on 1 January 2021.
China's plastic waste import ban has had a significant impact on global environmental sustainability and the recycling industries worldwide. The ban has forced other nations to find new ways to deal with their waste and implement policies aimed at reducing overall plastic circulation.
China's decision to ban plastic waste imports was driven by the need to address the issue of plastic pollution within its borders. Plastic pollution had plagued the country for decades, and the waste-recycling industry, once a driver of rapid industrialization, had become a low-profit enterprise that contributed to air and water pollution.
The ban is part of China's broader efforts to reduce plastic waste and improve its environmental footprint. In recent years, China has implemented various measures to curb the use of single-use plastics, such as plastic bags and straws, and promote the use of biodegradable alternatives.
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Biodegradable plastic demand is increasing
China has been taking steps to reduce its plastic waste, which has included banning single-use plastic bags and straws. In 2020, China announced plans to phase out most single-use plastic items by 2025. This has resulted in a skyrocketing demand for biodegradable plastics, which is expected to reach 2.5 million tons by 2025.
The Chinese government has encouraged the use of biodegradable plastics as an alternative to single-use plastics, which has resulted in an explosion in the production capacity of PLA, a biodegradable bioplastic. This shift in the market will significantly increase PLA's market share by 2035. The demand for biodegradable plastics is driven by the need to reduce plastic waste and carbon emissions, with the Chinese government committed to the carbon reduction goals outlined in the Paris Agreement.
While the biodegradable plastics industry in China is still in its infancy, there are already many companies focused on producing these materials. For instance, in 2021, there were 42,082 registered companies dedicated to plastics recycling in China, a 59.4% increase from the previous year. One of these companies, Kingfa, has ambitious plans to produce 1 million tons of biodegradable plastics by 2030.
The vast potential of the domestic market is a major driver for the growth of the biodegradable plastics industry in China. By 2026, the demand for bio-based plastics in China is expected to reach 2.53 million tons. This high demand, coupled with the limited supply of biodegradable plastics, has created an $8.3 billion market opportunity. However, there are still significant barriers to mass production, such as capacity limitations on raw materials.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, plastic bags are banned in China.
The plastic bag ban was implemented in two phases. In the first phase, which came into effect on January 1, 2021, stores in major cities were prohibited from providing plastic shopping bags. In the second phase, which came into effect by 2022, the ban was extended to all cities and towns.
Yes, markets selling fresh produce were exempt from the ban until 2025.
Violating the plastic bag ban can result in fines ranging from 500,000 to 5 million yuan (approximately US$77,305 to $773,050).
Alternatives to plastic bags in China include biodegradable bags, cloth reusable bags, and shopping carts. There is also a growing demand for biodegradable plastics, with some companies investing in their production.
