China’s sweeping plan to ban single-use plastics

China will ban non-degradable plastic bags in supermarkets and shopping malls in major cities by the end of 2020, according to the country’s state planner. The National Development and Reform Commission announced on January 19, 2020, that the plan will also include phasing out disposable plastic containers, utensils and courier packages from the country’s ubiquitous online shopping and food delivery industry.