When China banned free ultrathin plastic bags last year, it was hailed worldwide, and the initial weeks it was difficult to deny the difference.
A trip to foreign markets like B&Q, METRO, and TESCO and it was a complete ban, and contrary to some skeptics, even the local markets appeared to be changing their ways. Of course, that is based on my time in a major city (Shanghai) , and right after the ban.
One year on though, there have abeen a number of reports though that have shown the results were a mixed bag. Results that were highlighted through a recent Global village of Beijing online forum to mark the anniversary (h/t China Dialogue) where members of the NDRC, Int’l Food Packaing, and others came together.
The questions, and the answers, were interesting.. and honest:
Host: And over this last year, have we seen the hoped-for results?
Li Jing: Personally, I think the results have been clear and, in the main, positive. In particular, environmental awareness has increased. Shops and supermarkets have implemented the rules well. Things aren’t ideal at some markets, particularly as time passes and the policy gets forgotten. I pretended to be buying vegetables once and asked a few of the stallholders. They felt that nobody was enforcing it any more.
Li Jiajian: Markets and some more remote areas haven’t done so well, and there are variations in implementation. But there’s a process from setting rules and seeing them fully implemented.
From the perspective of a consumer (see a recent report on the awareness of Chinese consumers and willingness to be green):
Host: Wang Jie, you’re a full-time housewife. What changes have you seen?
Wang Jie: It’s definitely made a difference. Now when I go out to buy something I have to check I’ve remembered to bring a bag. It’s a little inconvenient. But I think it’s worth it. Some of my neighbours and friends think it was just for the Olympics, and that the ban should end now. But I think we should stick with it, make it a good habit.
To see the full report out, go to the Green Sohu site that has been set up, but in general, what I am finding is not just that the bags are coming back it is that the line is not being held on a wider level. That the education campaigns are beginning to slow down as the recession has kicked in, and once passionate tree huggers who were being given the megaphone are now silent.
Where this troubles me is simply that it(in the long run) will only serve to reinforce the misconceptions that the envionmental concerns are not really all that important, or are only important when the problems bloom unexpectedly. It is an attitude that I believe is dangerous as (1) programs for sustainable change will only continue to be put off (2) consumers, who were once catalyzed before, will be harder to activate next time and (3) that it will make the political support for future movements like this one all the more difficult.. after all, who is going to be responsible for putting a major manufacturer out of business when then know in 6 months it will be business as usual again.
Of course, while I am troubled by these issues, I am also encouraged by the fact that we are seeing more and more regular media reports on teh environment, and that large events like the Green Long March are growing in size. these are encouraging as over the long term attitudes towards and appreciation for the environment will change and stakeholders wil be more likely to engage in an effective manner.
Host: What has the National Development and Reform Commission done towards the recycling of plastic bags?
Li Jing: We’re working on it. There are regulations for the recycling of reusable resources, including plastic bags, which set minimum standards for recycling firms. Those requirements are still low, or non-existent, and we’re working on that. We’re also setting up similar projects as part of circular economy trials, particularly after the release of the circular economy law.
Progress….