Our reporter Che Jiannan Zhang Yu

On January 1, 2021, a new round of plastic pollution control opinions will be officially implemented. Many Shanghai citizens to 12345 citizen service hotline for consultation and help, after the implementation of the policy, does it mean that shopping malls, supermarkets and other places will no longer provide plastic shopping bag products?

In fact, in October this year, the "Implementation Plan of Shanghai on Further Strengthening plastic pollution Control" has been published, which has clarified the plan and time node of Shanghai in the plastic reduction action. After New Year's Day, what is the most obvious change in the production and life of merchants and residents? The reporter asked the relevant policy making departments and some enterprises about the issues that the public are most concerned about.

Q: Shopping malls, supermarkets, pharmacies, bookstores and other places as well as all kinds of exhibition activities can still use disposable plastic bags?

A: From January 1 next year, the use of disposable plastic shopping bags (including degradable and non-degradable plastic shopping bags) will be banned in Shanghai's shopping malls, pharmacies, bookstores and other places as well as all kinds of exhibition activities, and small shops and convenience stores will not be restricted. Based on health and food safety purposes, plastic pre-packaging bags, rolled bags, storage bags, etc. for bulk fresh food, cooked food, pasta and other goods are not within the scope of the restrictions.

It is recommended that people bring their own environmental protection bags to shopping malls, supermarkets, pharmacies, bookstores and other places, the cashier desk of the above places will no longer provide disposable plastic shopping bags.

Q: Can food and beverage takeaway service still use plastic bags?

A: From January 1 next year, non-biodegradable plastic shopping bags will be banned for food and beverage delivery services.

Q: Can you still use disposable plastic bags in the same city delivery service of supermarket platform?

Answer: There is no ban on the online city distribution service of the business supermarket platform, but the "implementation plan" proposes that e-commerce, takeout and other platform enterprises should strengthen the management of the merchants in the settlement, increase the "no tableware" option for consumers to choose, formulate an alternative implementation plan for the reduction of disposable plastic products, and release the implementation situation to the society every year.

Q: In the new round of plastic reduction action, what provisions have been made for the disposable tableware provided by businesses?

A: From January 1 next year, the use of disposable non-degradable knives, forks, spoons and other plastic tableware will be prohibited in catering. Lunch boxes, plastic cups and other items are not included in the restrictions.

At the same time, non-biodegradable disposable plastic straws will also be banned in Shanghai's catering industry across the city. However, plastic straws that come with the packaging of food such as milk and beverages are not included in the restriction.

Q: Which departments can enforce the law against plastic reduction violations?

A: According to the relevant decision issued by the Shanghai Municipal government this year, the administrative punishment responsibility for plastic pollution control in the commercial field of the city is centralized by the municipal market Supervision Bureau in accordance with law.

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