Hainan to Phase out Single-Use Non-Degradable Plastic Products

Hainan announced a plan on the comprehensive prohibition of the production, sale, and use of single-use, non-biodegradable plastic products in Hainan Province, according to a press conference held by the Hainan Provincial Government Information Office in Haikou on February 21st, 2019.

Deng Xiaogang, Director of the Department of Ecology and Environment of Hainan Province, said Hainan uses about 120,000 tons of single-use, non-biodegradable plastic products every year, of which the province supplies about 65,000 tons.

According to the plan, Hainan will gradually establish a provincial regulation and standards system for banning the production, sale, and use of single-use, non-biodegradable plastic products in the canteens of government organizations, public institutions, and schools, and at major tourist attractions, large supermarkets, large shopping malls, hospitals, and in other industries by the end of 2019. The first list of banned plastic products will be released in December this year.

By the end of 2020, the production, sale and use of single-use, non-biodegradable plastic bags and plastic tableware products will be completely banned throughout the province.

By 2019, Hainan Province will set up a complete recycling management system and incentives program aimed at promoting the wide usage of biodegradable plastics. In order to ensure the production needs and usage needs of the public after the implementation of the relevant ban, an industry guidance fund will be set up to guarantee market supply and provide alternative low-price, high-quality products.

Hainan Province will also strengthen market supervision. To prevent the production, sale, and use of disposable non-biodegradable plastic products, the local government will use big data management platforms to strengthen the market supervision and law enforcement.

By the end of 2025, all banned plastic products will be completely phased out across the island.