China bans free plastic bags to shoppers

BEIJING, May 19 (UPI) -- Beginning next month, Chinese shoppers will not get free plastic bags under a new regulation to save energy and end so-called white pollution.

The regulation, drawn up by the Commerce Ministry and approved by other state agencies, says a retailer can be fined up to $1,400 for providing free plastic bags to customers starting June 1, the Xinhua news agency reported.

It says all new plastic bags must meet national quality standards and retailers can charge any amount for them, so long as it is not below their cost price. Retailers also can be fined if they fail to buy the bags from approved makers or fail to obtain related certificates, the report said.

Customers not wishing to buy plastic bags can bring their own bags or baskets.

Plastic used to package frozen or cooked food will not be subject to the new law.

The stringent regulations are being put into effect because "white pollution" reportedly has become a major environmental concern for the government.

In January, the government shut down China's largest plastic bag maker in Henan province, which had an annual output of 250,000 tons of bags.