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China plans to reduce single-use plastics

Single-use Plastics - Level 4

China has big plans to reduce single-use plastics by 2025. It is fast-tracking measures to cut the production and use of plastics in the next five years. By the end of 2020, non-biodegradable plastic bags will be banned in major cities. Food delivery and takeaway services, which use a lot of plastic, will stop using single-use plastic straws and cutlery. These will be banned nationwide. They will use alternative things, like biodegradable shopping bags.

Single-use plastics are a big source of pollution. They are a part of our daily life and throwaway culture. China wants to reduce overconsumption to reverse our use of plastics. Previous regulations on plastic use, in 2008, cut the production of 67 billion bags. The United Nations said all countries needed similar policies. It said the world cannot cope with the amount of plastic waste we generate, We must rethink how we manufacture, use and manage plastics.

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11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Single-use Plastics - Level 5

China has ambitious plans to greatly reduce single-use plastics by 2025. China's National Development and Reform Commission is fast-tracking measures to slash the production and use of plastics over the next five years. By the end of 2020, non-biodegradable plastic bags will be banned in supermarkets and malls in major cities. Food delivery and takeaway services, which use vast amounts of the plastics, will stop using single-use plastic straws and cutlery. These will be banned nationwide. China will encourage the use of alternative materials such as biodegradable shopping bags.

Single-use plastics are a major source of plastic pollution. They have become a part of daily life and of our throwaway culture. China set a goal of reducing overconsumption in order to reverse our reliance on single-use plastics. Previous regulations on plastic use, in 2008, led to an estimated cut in production of 67 billion bags. The United Nations said all countries needed policies similar to those China is introducing. It said: "We are already unable to cope with the amount of plastic waste we generate, unless we rethink the way we manufacture, use and manage plastics."

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11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Single-use Plastics - Level 6

China has unveiled ambitious plans to drastically reduce single-use plastics by 2025. China's National Development and Reform Commission is fast-tracking a number of measures designed to slash the production and use of plastics over the next five years. It announced that by the end of 2020, non-biodegradable plastic bags will be banned in supermarkets and shopping malls in major cities. The ban will also apply to food delivery services, which use vast amounts of the plastics. Single-use plastic straws and cutlery used by food takeaway services will be banned nationwide by the end of this year. China will encourage the use of alternative materials such as non-plastic products and biodegradable shopping bags.

Single-use plastics are one of the world's biggest sources of plastic pollution. They have become a ubiquitous part of daily life and a part of our throwaway culture. The Chinese authorities set a goal of reducing the "intensity of consumption" in order to reverse our reliance on single-use plastics. Previous regulations to curb plastic use, in 2008, led to an estimated cut in plastic bag production of 67 billion bags. The United Nations said it is urgent that all countries adopt policies similar to those China is introducing. It said: "We are already unable to cope with the amount of plastic waste we generate, unless we rethink the way we manufacture, use and manage plastics."

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25 online activities    |    27-page printable    |    2-page mini-lesson