A researcher from the Chinese Academy of Sciences has suggested using biodegradable plastic bags to replace the current ones in a bid to diminish "white pollution," the Beijing Evening News reported on Wednesday.

Professor Ji Junhui said even though supermarkets and shops will be banned from handing out free carriers, eradicating plastic bags entirely would still be impossible due to their convenience.

"We conducted an investigation asking shoppers if they will stop using plastic bags once they are charged for them, and all the respondents said 'No'," Ji said.

He added that the charge for plastic bags will reduce plastic consumption to some extent, but will not stop people from using them. Thus, the solution is insufficient to meet environmental protection demands.

When biodegradable plastic comes into contact with microorganisms, it turns into water and carbon dioxide, posing no threat to the environment.

To date, the technology to produce the new type of plastic bags is mature enough in the country to allow mass production. Even if expanded production is required, new production lines could be set up in between six and eight months.

The environmentally friendly plastic bag would cost about 0.6 yuan each (8 US cents), three times the amount of ordinary bags. Professor Ji said the price lever mechanism would also help eliminate pollution.

Compared with high-cost paper bags, Professor Ji said adopting the biodegradable plastic bags is the only feasible solution to curb "white pollution," and suggested the capital city of Beijing should take the lead.

The State Council, China's Cabinet, issued a notice in January requiring all supermarkets, grocery stores and free markets to stop providing free plastic bags from June 1 this year, and called for people to use baskets or cloth bags for shopping.

(CRIENGLISH.com February 14, 2008)