Xi'an takes aim at non-degradable plastics

Supermarkets and shopping malls in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, will ban non-degradable plastic bags by the end of this year, according to a newly revised plastic pollution control plan released by the city government recently.

Under the plan, plastic pollution will be curbed in three phases, starting this year, moving to a second stage in 2022 and concluding in 2025. 

The manufacture and sale of superthin plastic bags less than 0.025 millimeters thick will be banned by year's end, together with disposable foam tableware and cotton swabs on plastic sticks. 

By the end of 2022, all star-rated hotels in Xi'an will no longer provide disposable plastic products. Items such as detergent in plastic containers will be refillable, under the plan. 

At the end of 2025, the plastic ban will be expanded to the delivery industry. Postal express stations in Xi'an will be prohibited from using non-degradable plastic bags, plastic tape and disposable plastic woven bags.