Zhoushan in East China's Zhejiang province recently published a plan to further combat plastic pollution, local media reported on Jan 13.

According to the plan, shopping malls, supermarkets, pharmacies, bookstores, take-away service of catering business, and exhibitions in counties and districts of Zhoushan will be prohibited from using non-biodegradable plastic bags by 2022. The use of non-biodegradable plastic bags in street markets will be banned by 2023. This ban will apply to all local towns and rural areas by 2025.

By 2023, catering businesses will be banned from using non-degradable disposable plastic tableware for takeaway meals. This practice will apply to local towns and rural areas by 2025.

By 2022, starred hotels in Zhoushan will not offer disposable plastic articles. These establishments will also have to install self-service purchasing machines for customers. By 2023, this practice will apply to all hotels and homestays in the city.

For delivery services, the use of non-degradable plastic packaging bags and disposable plastic woven bags will be banned by 2022. Companies are also required to reduce the usage of non-degradable plastic tape. By 2023, the city's post and express outlets will also be banned from using non-degradable plastic tape.

Local residents are encouraged to use cloth bags, paper bags, baskets and other non-plastic products and degradable shopping bags. Catering companies are encouraged to use degradable plastic bags, while logistic businesses should rely on recyclable packaging products instead.

China had as early as 2008 prohibited the production, sale and utilization of plastic bags less than 0.025 mm in thickness and required customers to pay for plastic bags in retail places.