China to phase out single-use, non-biodegradable plastics products

The Chinese government has unveiled a wide range of guidelines to phase out single-use, non-biodegradable plastic products in an effort to curb plastic pollution in the country. The plan sets out three phases in five years starting in bigger cities such as Shanghai and Beijing, then move to smaller cities and towns, and finally to villages. 

By the end of 2020, disposal foam plastic cutlery. According to media reports, Shops, restaurants, and markets in major cities will have to stop using nonbiodegradable plastic bags by that deadline, and restaurants and food vendors nationwide will have to stop using straws made from nonbiodegradable plastic.

Meanwhile, the package delivery sector in Beijing and Shanghai would have until the end of 2022 to switch to biodegradable plastic packaging. By the end of 2025, such implementation would be extended nationwide. 

Industry experts said that the new guideline might not impact the market immediately, however, as the ban rolls out to more cities and substitute materials gain traction, the PE consumption would be impacted strongly.