China's island province bans disposable non-degradable plastic products

Disposable plastic bags and tableware that are non-degradable have been banned from production, sale and use starting Tuesday in China's island province of Hainan.

According to a regulation that took effect on Tuesday, the first batch of banned items include disposable plastic bags, packaging bags, meal boxes, bowls, drink cups and straws made from non-biodegradable polymers.

Hainan announced the ban in February as part of an effort to cut white pollution in the province, which has been designated as a national ecological civilization pilot zone.

Besides banning the disposable non-degradable plastic products, Hainan has taken many measures to improve the ecological environment, including promoting garbage sorting and the use of new energy vehicles. 

Hong Kong to adopt stricter social distancing amid COVID-19 spike Li urges SCO countries to advance integrated growth