Analysis on Plastic Grocery Bag Policy in China

The main focus of the thesis is to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the impacts on environment of plastic bags through a life cycle assessment. Based on a literature review, the international experiences from Ireland, Bangladesh and Canada on plastic bags policies are addressed. After 8 years implementation of plastic bags regulations, there are still existing some problems in China. The main purpose of the thesis is to present policy options on plastic bags policy in the context of China, including maintaining status quo, public education, substitutes developing, totally banning plastic bags, introducing plastic credits or a plastic bag tax. The recommendation is that public education is a persistent way to improve public awareness and to change consumer’s behaviour. Additionally, for Chinese government, under the existing regulations, should extend the range of regulation implementation to farm markets and street vendor, which have been the main source of plastic bags consumption in China. Furthermore, research on reducing substitutes cost is essential, which could be accepted by more customers.