UN environment chief Achim Steiner has praised a recent decision
by the Chinese government to impose limits on the use of plastic
bags.
"The impact of a ban on thin plastic bags in an economy the size
of China has the potential to influence similar policies in Asia
and globally," the UN under-secretary general and executive
director of the UN Environment Program said.
The State Council last week ordered a ban on the production,
sale and use of ultra-thin bags as of June 1. Supermarkets and
shops will be barred from giving out plastic bags to customers from
the same day.
(Xinhua News Agency January 16, 2008)
