Tianjin Issues Decree to Deal with White PollutionPeople in Tianjin, a port city neighboring Beijing in north China, are required to use only degradable plastic bags or tableware from October 1, this year.The Tianjin Municipal People's Government has issued a decree to deal with white pollution, which is caused by excessive use of plastic bags and dishware. Production and sales of non-degradable plastic bags and tableware is halted. Plastic producers who violate the decree will be fined 200,000 to 300,000 yuan. Tianjin is one of the cities in China that have suffered severely from white pollution. One million plastic bags and tableware are thrown away every day. Plastic bags and tableware became popular only a few years ago, as people felt it was convenient and clean to use them. Their use can be seen almost everywhere across the country. Farmers use mulching film to cultivate crops, passengers on trains use plastic dishware, and customers use plastic bags to carry their goods. An advertisement broadcast across the country advises people to knot the plastic bag to avoid whirling after being cast off. Some sales promotions handed out free hop-pockets to encourage people to use less plastic bags. |
| People's Daily Online --- http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/ |