Talking China’s policy of banning free plastic bags

The overuse of plastic bags is always a major problem of China. According to Yingling Liu’ report, there are estimates that “China disposes of three billion plastic bags each and every day, suggesting that each of the 1.3 billion people in China use up to 3 billion plastic bags daily.” On the other hand, plastic bags consume a huge quantity of oil; Expert estimates that “the production of three billion plastic bags takes 37 million barrels of crude oil annually.” Yingling Liu reports that “Most of the carriers end up in unofficial dumping sites, landfills, or the environment. Urban dumping centers and open fields alongside railways and expressways are littered with the discarded bags, mostly whitish ultra-thin varieties. Such scenes have generated a special term in China: ‘the white pollution.’”
http://www.worldwatch.org/node/5808

Based on both the internal desire to reduce the plastic pollution in China and the external pressure that comes from China’s role in the international community in building up the image of “Green Country” for the 2008 Olympic Games as well as reducing the global carbon dioxide emission, State Council of China’s Cabinet launched the environmental policy that prohibits shops, supermarkets, and sales outlets from handing out free plastic bags and bans the production, sale, and use of ultra-thin plastic bags under 0.025 millimeters thick nationwide at the end of 2007, with effect from 1st June 2008.
http://english.gov.cn/2008-01/09/content_853755.htm

It has been more than one year since the ban came into effect. In this research study, I focus on two issues. The first is to see how such an environmental policy can help to protect the environment and does it work or not; and second, is to investigate consumers’ reactions in this policy.

Based on the research, I found that government implements this environmental policy through the economy leverage. First of all, according to the article “ASIA: Plastic Bags Sacked”, “the ban will prohibit supermarkets and shops from providing consumers with free plastic bags. The sale and uses of bags less than 0.25 mm thick will also be prohibited. Those companies that do not adhere to the new regulation will face the possibility of heavy fines and confiscation of profits and goods.” According to JIYAO XUN, for retailer, a violation of this policy by not correctly pricing the thicker plastic bags or giving plastic bags at a discount attracts a fine of up to RMB2,000.(US$ 286). Retails that fail to create a special account for the sales of plastic bags for audit purposes will be charged up to 20,000 RMB. (US$2857). I think the reinforcement of the environmental policy through the fine punishment somehow help to protect the environment and decrease the use of plastic bags, which is good. Since the retails has been getting used to offer the free plastic bags to the consumer since 1980s, without such a punishment rule, it is impossible to ensure the supermarkets and retails onto the right track. However, in my opinion, I believe the way of punishment with fine can help to prevent the retailing providing free plastic to consumers, but this rule of fine is not proportionate. For example, for those big supermarkets such as Wal-Mart and Jusco, the penalty are just a small amount, but for those small retailers, it will cost them a lot and make them hard for earn the profit. I think this rule of the policy is kind of unfair for the small retails and do harm for their development.
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eih&AN=31443986&site=ehost-live
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=buh&AN=43385627&site=ehost-live

On the other hand, this environmental policy was initiated by the State Council of China’s Cabinet and it is supported by four sub-division, namely, Reform Commission(NDRC); the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine(AQSIQ); the Ministry of Commerce and the State Administration for industry and Commerce(SAIC). JIYAO XUAN writes that “it is worth mentioning that the engagement of NDRC sends a strong message about the nation’s attempt in moving its economic structure, illustrated by its aim of “adjustment of industrial structure.” I think the ban on plastic bags indicates the Chinese government is making efforts to change the economic model from the low environmental valued-added manufacturing economy to a greener and more sustainable-based one.
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=buh&AN=43385627&site=ehost-live
http://www.worldwatch.org/node/5808

However, I discovered that this policy does not communicate the important of banning ultra-thin bags, which makes the measurement of 0.025mm appear arbitrary to general public. Actually, these kind of ultra-thin bags are often used for packaging hot food and drinks on street market in China. People who do not follow the rule are able to argue that they don’t know the plastic they are using is less than 0.025 or not. Now in Guangdong Province, especially some rural areas, it is easy to find those street market use this kind of ultra-thin plastic for the food. Since the cost of the ultra-thin plastic is really cheap-1000 bags cost only 5 RMB. (Less than one dollor), the retailers are willing to use it. This kind of unclear message illustrates the drawback of this environmental policy, which may decrease its effect.

With the ban of free plastics bags, the Chinese government is now encourage more people turn to use environmental friendly bags such as cloth or the traditional baskets that people used in more than two decades age. Based on the research, I found that most of the consumers support this policy, but one thing most consumers complain is that the ban of free plastic bags brings them some inconvenience. I found some responds from the consumers’ opinions online. According to the GOV.cn “I think (the ban) will help improve the environment. When I go shopping, I would prefer taking a fabric bag with me rather than buying a plastic one from the shop," said Jing Ruihong, a 46-year-old accountant in Beijing. ‘‘If we can reduce waste and save resources, then it’s good both for us and the whole world,’’ said college student Xu Lixian; Xu, the college student, said “the move showed China was serious about joining global efforts to stem environmental deterioration.” ‘‘I think this really shows that China is being a responsible country,’’ said the 21-year-old. These responds show the positive voices of consumers. However, according to JIYAO XUN, based on the online survey that conducted by the ‘China Environmental Awareness Program’, some consumer reported that they are appreciated and supported the spirit of the policy but they are still uncomfortable with the inconvenience caused, while some suggest manufacture should offer better alternative forms of carrier bags instead of emphasizing the pay for the thick plastic bags. In the survey, many consumers also critique the media only present the information of this policy in a top-down manner, which turned consumers into information receivers, while concerns and confusions remained unanswered.
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=buh&AN=43385627&site=ehost-live
http://www.gov.cn/zwgk/2008-01/08/content_852879.htm

Generally, I insist that this environmental policy is in some degree beneficial for the environment. According to Yingling Lu, “Reports note that use of plastic bags in supermarkets in southern Guangzou City has dropped by nearly half since June 1 2008, and some supermarkets in Beijing use as few as one-tenth the numbers of bags as before the ban.” From the CCTV news report on TV, the manager of one of the supermarket in Xian said that there was 82% decrease of the use of plastic one week after the ban of this policy. Besides, according to the GOV.cn, Dong Jinshi, vice chairman of the Waste Plastics Recycling Committee of China Plastics Processing Industry Association (WPRC-CPPIA) said the ban would cut use of plastics bags by more than 60 percent and raise the recycling rate of one-time plastic bags. As Yingling Lu reports, “As pressures on the environment and natural resources continue to rise, it is better to have smart government policies that guide consumer habits, rather than waiting for the market to force these changes. Simply relying on the market and on individual behavior may bring too little too late”. I tend to agree with this opinion, I would say especially for China which have such a huge population and most Chinese are addicted using plastic bags and have less awareness of the serious of the plastic pollution, it is indeed very necessary to have a policy to help guide and even reinforce the consumers to change their behaviors.

http://www.worldwatch.org/node/5808

http://english.gov.cn/2008-01/09/content_853755.htm


However, as I just mentioned, this environmental policy has some misinterpretations that still needed to be improved. On the other hand, I would like to say that the government can not only rely on the policy gestures or punishments excessively rather than public education. According to Duncan, “Chinese press reports in early June highlighted one case in which a pregnant woman who wished not to use a plastic bag had been physically accosted by a shop owner demanding that she buy one to carry her goods.” As the action of the shop owner, I will say this environmental policy lacks of communicating the important goal of reducing the needless waste buy over-underlying the “polluter must pay”. Duncan points out that “In general, China’s public education on environmental principles remains rudimentary.” Personally, I agree with this opinion. I would say it is not enough to just focus on the policy, the government also need provide the environmental knowledge with a more detailed explanation, further education to the public with more interactive means of media communication, such as internet, blogger and mobile services. In addition, the government should come out with the guidance on green bag manufacturing and encourage the companies to change the plastic industry structure with the use of advanced technology. Government should also encourage the retails to be more initiative, rewarding consumers for their green behavior with indirect financial incentives. “According to JIYAO XUN, green clubcard points in Tesco, UK, this can gradually change people’s attitude from “I was asked to be green’ or “I was made to be green’ to ‘I want to be green.’” With the increase of the public consciousness of environmental friendly, consumers will change their behavior and perception of using the bags. I believe that only by winning people’s hearts and minds can we see the full power of this environmental policy.
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=buh&AN=32779729&site=ehost-live
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=buh&AN=43385627&site=ehost-live

References:
http://www.worldwatch.org/node/5808

http://english.gov.cn/2008-01/09/content_853755.htm
http://www.gov.cn/zwgk/2008-01/08/content_852879.htm

http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=buh&AN=32779729&site=ehost-l ive
http://www.seattlebagtax.org/china.html



JIYAO, XUN. "BAG BAN: CHINA'S GREEN REVOLUTION?." Retail Digest (2009): 16-19. Business Source Premier. EBSCO. Web. 10 May 2010.
Additional Information:
Persistent link to this record (Permalink): http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=buh&AN=43385627&site=ehost-live
"ASIA: Plastic Bags Sacked." Earth Island Journal 23.1 (2008): 6. Environment Complete. EBSCO. Web. 10 May 2010.
Additional Information:
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eih&AN=31443986&site=ehost-live


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgTXgPtJiQg