A recently implemented limit in China on ultra-thin plastic bags has successfully and significantly reduced bag-related pollution nationwide in the past year. China avoided the use of 40 billion bags, according to estimates. The State Council, China’s parliament, responded in January 2008 by prohibiting stores and supermarkets from providing free plastic bags that are less than 0.025 millimeters thick.

The State Administration of Industry and Commerce also threatened to fine shopkeepers and vendors as much as 1500 dollars US if they were caught giving out free bags.

The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) announced earlier this month that supermarkets reduced plastic bag usage by 66 percent since the policy became effective last June. The limit in bag production saved China 1.6 million tons of petroleum, the NDRC estimated.