The National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and seven other ministries jointly introduced a guiding document, according to which non-degradable plastic bags will be banned in a majority of cities from Jan 1, 2021.

All supermarkets and stores are required to charge customers for plastic bags, but the latest move shows the authorities' determination to reduce white pollution by putting an end to the use of plastic bags altogether.

The move found widespread support on social networking sites, as more people are waking up to the importance of getting rid of plastic garbage.

People who are accustomed to getting a plastic bag after buying goods in the supermarket will now have to look for degradable ones, if they are available. Enterprises that produce non-degradable, disposable plastic bags will have to start producing degradable ones or go out of business. With less than half a year's time remaining before the non-degradable plastic bags are banned, local governments might need to help enterprises make the switch.

However, even degradable plastic bags are plastic bags and therefore an environmental hazard, they are just less polluting than non-degradable plastic bags. The long-term goal should be to totally do away with plastic bags.

Some cities are already doing away with plastic bags altogether, but for the idea to gain currency, there needs to be greater awareness among consumers about the harm they do to the environment. Only when people stop using them will plastic bags disappear.