 |
Bangladesh |
| |
• The country of Bangladesh banned plastic bags in March of 2002.
 |
Dhaka |
| |
• Dhaka, Bangladesh banned plastic bags in January of 2002. |
|
 |
Bhutan |
| |
• The country of Bhutan banned plastic bags in June of 2005. They
did this to help reduce litter and thus raise the national happiness quotient. |
 |
China |
| |
• In January 2008, the country of China imposed a ban on specific
plastic bags and also imposed a minimum thickness rule.
 |
Hong Kong |
| |
• In Hong Kong, China a tax or charge is levied on plastic bags. |
|
 |
India |
| |
• In 2002, the Indian government mandated a thickness rule on plastic
bags. All bags must be greater than 20 microns in thickness. This rule was implemented to reduce malaria
outbreaks, aid in storm water runoff management also to prevent the sacred cows of India from inadvertently
ingesting plastic bags. [updated 02-05-09]
 |
Delhi |
| |
• In January 2009, the city of Delhi, India announced a ban on the use,
storage and sale of all plastic bags. There are heavy fines for violators while citizens and visitors
are encouraged to use alternative material bags such as jute, cotton, recycled-paper and compostable bags.
• In September 2012, the Delhi Cabinet approved a ban on the storage, sale, use and manufacture of plastic
bags within the city’s limits. Previously, there was a prohibition on the use, storage and sale of plastic
bags only within commercial areas. The new ban includes all plastic bags and all plastic sheets, films or
covers for packaging books, magazines or cards.
[updated 10-09-12]
|
 |
Maharashtra |
| |
• In June 2005, the government in the state of Maharashtra enacted a plastic
bag ban. This was done in response to localized flooding that was caused by plastic bags clogging waterways.
[added 02-05-09]
|
 |
Mumbai |
| |
• As of January 2010 the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai has begun pilot
programs to ban plastic bags in Mumbai and will be proposing an amendment in the State Government to ban all
plastic bags, not just those that are below 50 microns in thickness.
[added 03-11-10]
|
|
 |
Israel |
| |
• In June 2008, the Israeli government enacted a tax or charge upon plastic bags. |
 |
Maldives |
| |
 |
Baa Atoll |
| |
• In 2009, Baa Atoll initiated "Say no to plastic bags," a campaign that distributes
cloth bags to all residents.
[added 07-27-09] |
|
 |
Philippines |
| |
• In 2007 SB1443 was introduced to the Senate that would have created the
Plastic Bag Recycling Act. This bill was left pending in committee.
[added 12-01-09]
• In 2008, bill 4134 was introduced to House legislature that would place an excise
tax on non-biodegradable plastic bags. All money generated from the tax would be used to support government initiated
environmental protection programs. This bill was referred to committees and is pending there as of June 2009.
[updated 12-01-09]
|
 |
Taiwan |
| |
• In Taiwan, a plastic bag ban and tax or charge was enacted in January 2003. |
 |
United Arab Emirates |
| |
• The United Arab Emirates have voted to ban plastic bags by the end of 2012/beginning of 2013. The emirates plan to utilize education campaigns to help the public prepare for the transition. Some of the emirates are acting earlier; Ajman has banned the production of non-biodegradable bags within the emirate starting June 1, 2010. [added 01-22-10] |
|
Information about retail bag regulation activities is changing constantly. We welcome your input. If you have additional sources, or updates to
current information on this website, please email
Johanna.Poston@dep.state.fl.us. |
Retail Bags Report - List of Retail Bag Policies - Asia