On May 25, 2020, in order to implement the "Opinions on Further Strengthening the Treatment of Plastic Pollution" of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the National Development and Reform Commission of China (Fagaihuanzi [2020] No. 80), actively respond to plastic pollution, protect people's health, and establish Improve the long-term management mechanism of plastic products, promote the construction of ecological civilization and high-quality development in Shandong Province, and formulated the "Shandong Province to further strengthen the implementation of plastic pollution control program."
In "Shandong Province to further strengthen the implementation of plastic pollution control plan" put forward the requirements for plastic bags and plastic tableware:
The production and sale of ultra-thin plastic shopping bags with a thickness of less than 0.025 mm and polyethylene agricultural mulch with a thickness of less than 0.01 mm are prohibited. It is forbidden to use medical waste as a raw material to manufacture plastic products. By the end of 2020, the production and sale of single-use foam plastic tableware and single-use plastic cotton swabs are prohibited. The production of daily chemical products containing plastic beads is prohibited. By the end of 2022, the sale of daily chemical products containing plastic microbeads is prohibited.
Orderly disable non-degradable plastic bags. By the end of 2020, non-degradable plastic bags will be banned in shopping malls, supermarkets, pharmacies, bookstores and other places in Jinan and Qingdao's urban built-up areas, as well as catering packaging and take-out services, as well as various exhibition activities. The fair market will regulate and restrict the use of non-degradable plastics By the end of 2022, the scope of implementation will be extended to the province's prefecture-level cities above the built-up area and coastal counties (cities, districts) built-up area. By the end of 2025, non-degradable plastic bags are banned from the bazaars in the above regions. Encourage places where conditions permit to stop using non-degradable plastic bags in urban-rural junctions, towns, and rural markets.
Single-use plastic tableware is prohibited in stages. By the end of 2020, the use of non-degradable disposable plastic straws is prohibited in the catering industry throughout the province; the use of non-degradable disposable plastic tableware is prohibited in the catering service of built-up areas and scenic spots in cities above prefecture level. By the end of 2022, non-degradable disposable plastic tableware is prohibited in the county town (city, district) built-up area, scenic spot dining service. By 2025, the consumption intensity of non-degradable single-use plastic tableware in the catering and take-out area of cities above the prefecture level will drop by 30%.
Green packaging like biodegradable tableware (biodegradable disposable tableware) are especially good for the environment. Sugarcane bagasse tableware and non woven bag from Shenglin packaging can be a good replacement of non-degradable plastic bags and single-use plastic tableware.
