In 2020, China's National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment jointly issued the "Opinions on Further Strengthening Plastic Pollution Control" (Fagaihuanzi [2020] No. 80) (hereinafter referred to as the "Opinions"). The "Opinions" clearly stated that "orderly ban and restrict the production, sale and use of some plastic products, and actively promote alternative products." The "Opinions" clarify that reducing the use of plastic products will be achieved in three stages: In 2020, we will take the lead in banning and restricting the production and use of some plastic products in some regions and fields. In 2022, the consumption of disposable plastic products will be significantly reduced, and alternative products will be promoted. In 2025, the level of development and application of alternative products will be further improved, the amount of plastic waste landfilled in key cities will be significantly reduced, and plastic pollution will be effectively controlled. Plastic products prohibited or restricted by the policy include non-degradable plastic bags, disposable plastic tableware, straws, express plastic packaging and other plastic products.
In the past three years, “Replacing plastic with paper” has achieved remarkable results, and environmental-friendly paper bags, paper cutlery and straws, paper packaging materials and other products have gained rapid popularity, directly contributed to the increase in consumption of paper and paperboard in China. In the future, with the“Ban on plastics” entering the third stage, the use of disposable plastics in China will further reduce, paper products as a good alternative to plastic, it can be expected that China’s paper and cardboard consumption will continue to rise.
