From this week onward, consumers in mainland China will be subjected to a fee of three jiao (US$0.04) per plastic bag provided by retailers. The Chinese government is promoting a 'habit revolution' in which consumers reduce the number of plastic bags they use when making retail purchases. Shoppers are also being encouraged to bring their own reusable bags to stores when shopping.

Ultra-thin bags that are less than 0.025 millimeters have also been completely banned. On a visit to the Haoshun Lu 'wet market', GoKunming discovered that the rainbow of red, blue and orange ultra-thin bags had been replaced by large, sturdier bags – available at a cost of three jiao. Vendors said they felt the new regulation was reducing the amount of plastic bags they gave customers, without adversely affecting their business.

The nationwide ban on free plastic bags has garnered much attention throughout China and internationally, but what many may not realize is that Yunnan is home to the first successful attempt to eliminate plastic bags. In July 2003, the old town of Lijiang banned plastic bags in an attempt to eliminate 'white pollution' (白色污染), the Chinese term for the countless plastic bags blowing on the country's streets and stuck in trees and bushes.

After the initial bag ban in Lijiang's old town, the ban was extended to the rest of Lijiang, where it has generally considered a success in the region. Now reusable cloth bags have replaced their plastic counterparts and locals have become accustomed to not using plastic bags.

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