About Time! This Will All Be Banned Starting Next Month!

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You favorite food orders are gonna come to you in different-looking packages starting next year after the Guangdong Development and Reform Commission announced new guidelines to ban the use of plastics for a variety of products as early as this coming September, valid for 5 years.

Below is a summary of what’s to come in Guangdong province.

Disposable plastic tableware

By the end of 2020:

The use of non-degradable disposable plastic straws will be prohibited in the catering industry throughout the Guangdong province. Non-degradable, disposable plastic tableware will no longer be offered to customers and will be prohibited for in-hall catering services.

By 2022:

Non-degradable disposable plastic tableware will be entirely banned from established areas and scenic spots across the province.

Non-degradable plastic bags

By the end of 2020:

The use and sale of non-biodegradable plastic bags will be prohibited in shopping malls, supermarkets, pharmacies, bookstores and other places around Guangzhou and Shenzhen, as well as from food and beverage delivery services and all kinds of exhibitions. Although not yet banned, its use will be heavily regulated and restricted in trading markets.

By 2022:

Star-rated and unrated hotels, as well as other accommodation services within the whole province of Guangdong will be prohibited from offering disposable plastic products, but may nonetheless continue to use self-service vending machines wherein there may still be such products sold.

Plastic packaging from delivery services

By the end of 2020:

In Guangdong province, the proportion of adhesive tape packaging with a width of 45 mm or less in postal express outlets will be increased to over 90%, and the proportion of glue-free cartons will be increased to more than 10%.

By 2022:

Non-degradable plastic bags will be banned from express delivery servicing Guangdong province. The use of non-degradable plastic tapes will be significantly reduced, while the proportion of cardboard boxes free of tape is expected to increase by more than 15%.

Production of plastic products

The production and sale of ultra-thin plastic shopping bags are prohibited in Guangdong province.

By the end of 2020:

The production and sale of disposable foamed plastic tableware and disposable plastic cotton swabs will be prohibited, as well as the production of daily chemical products containing plastic microbeads.

In shopping malls, supermarkets, pharmacies, bookstores and other places, the use of environment-friendly cloth bags, paper bags and other non-plastic products, as well as biodegradable shopping bags, will be heavily promoted. Self-service and smart delivery devices will be encouraged.

Those who still wish to opt for plastic shopping bags will be required to pay a fee.

Which area of China do you live in? Have you seen any changes in plastic consumption recently? 

Editor: Crystal H-AD

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