China Plastic Restriction Order for the Prevention of Plastic Pollution
ENFORCEMENT TIMELINE
Target of full compliance by the end of December 2025
Overview
China's "Plastic Restriction Order for the Prevention of Plastic Pollution," led by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, is a fundamental response to the worsening plastic waste problem. The policy aims to progressively ban or restrict the manufacture, sale, and use of single-use plastic products. It applies broadly across sectors including food service, delivery, hospitality, and retail, and specifically mandates a shift toward degradable plastics and the establishment of collection and recycling systems. It is a key element of China's environmental policy aimed at reducing environmental impact and accelerating resource circulation across the entire supply chain.
Enforcement Timeline
- 2020: Basic policy guidelines were published, and bans on single-use plastic products began in major cities.
- 2021: A nationwide ban took effect on non-degradable plastic straws and plastic bags thinner than 0.025mm in the food-service and hotel industries.
- 2022: Restrictions on providing single-use plastic amenities in the hotel industry were strengthened.
- 2023: Promotion of green packaging in the delivery industry advanced, and targets for improving plastic waste collection rates in major cities were established.
- 2025: Broad nationwide bans on non-degradable plastic products and achievement of collection/recycling targets for major plastic products came into effect.
Business Impact
Japanese companies operating consumer-goods or food-related businesses in China must reduce plastic packaging and switch to recyclable alternative materials. They need to reassess their local environmental compliance management accordingly.