I am sure that many of us are familiar with the disposable chopsticks that come with food that we order from the stalls. Of course, they are so convenient - just take them out from the plastic, eat with them and then throw them away without needing to wash them. Another plus point is that it is more sanitary as ordinary chopsticks at the stalls may not be washed thoroughly.
Actually, I read that the Chinese government is considering a ban on disposable chopsticks in an effort to conserve its rapidly diminishing forests as million trees are felled each year to manufacture the 45 billion pairs of chopsticks the Chinese use and export. If nothing is done to put a stop on the felling of trees in China, then experts predict that much of the country's remaining 80 million hectares of natural forests will disappear in the next decade.
The latest news has it that one province in China has already put into effect the ban.
Here is the article.
Shaanxi to ban disposable chopsticks
(Global Times)
16:18, November 21, 2011
Restaurants providing free, disposable chopsticks in Shaanxi Province will face punishment from the local government, a move that aims at eliminating the use ofthrowaway utensils, according to a recently issued regulation, the Shaanxi EveningPost reported on Monday.
The Regulation on Encouragement of Circular Economy in Shaanxi, jointly issued by the local Legislative Committee of the Provincial People's Congress and the ShaanxiProvincial Development and Reform Commission, will be implemented on December 1.
According to the regulation, in order to cut the waste of forest resources and reduce garbage, hotels are encouraged to provide recyclable utensils while restaurants are forbidden to provide disposable chopsticks.
It also stipulated that enterprises that violate the regulation will face fines of up to 2,000yuan ($314), while single proprietorships will be punished with fines ranging between 50 and 200 yuan ($7.8 and 31.4).
Source: http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90882/7651512.html
Shaanxi to ban disposable chopsticks
(Global Times)
16:18, November 21, 2011
The Regulation on Encouragement of Circular Economy in Shaanxi, jointly issued by the local Legislative Committee of the Provincial People's Congress and the ShaanxiProvincial Development and Reform Commission, will be implemented on December 1.
According to the regulation, in order to cut the waste of forest resources and reduce garbage, hotels are encouraged to provide recyclable utensils while restaurants are forbidden to provide disposable chopsticks.
It also stipulated that enterprises that violate the regulation will face fines of up to 2,000yuan ($314), while single proprietorships will be punished with fines ranging between 50 and 200 yuan ($7.8 and 31.4).
Source: http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90882/7651512.html
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