The country that everyone loves to hate for its poor environmental record (i.e., lead in toys) is taking on the “white pollution” that’s choking its cities, farms and waterways. China is banning free plastic shopping bags and calling for a return to the cloth bags of old, according to an MSNBC report. The ban takes effect June 1, two months before Beijing hosts the Summer Olympic Games. Under the new rules, businesses are prohibited from manufacturing, selling or using bags less than 0.025 millimeters (0.00098 inches) thick, according to the order issued by the State Council, China’s Cabinet. OK, America, now it’s our turn.

Photo: Vincent Cobb

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 9th, 2008 at 11:44 pm and is filed under Green living. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.