Shanghai Passes Decision to Restrict the Use of Disposable Plastic Products

On July 31, 2025, the Standing Committee of the Shanghai Municipal People's Congress adopted the "Decision on Deepening the Development of Ecological Civilization and Building Shanghai into a Model of Beautiful China," which will take effect on September 1. This decision, serving as the overarching regulation for Shanghai's ecological civilization efforts, will vigorously promote the city's ecological civilization development.

Highlights include: clarifying three overarching requirements that must be adhered to; identifying five key tasks: optimizing spatial patterns, accelerating green and low-carbon transformation in key areas, deepening pollution prevention and control efforts, improving ecological environmental quality, and maintaining ecological security; deepening the integration of the Yangtze River Delta, the ecological development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, and global ecological civilization development; promoting a nationwide action plan for ecological civilization development, encompassing the cultivation of an ecological culture, the practice of green living, limiting the use of plastic products (promoting the use of recyclable and easily recyclable alternatives), and establishing a diversified participation system; and strengthening safeguards and oversight.

Source: Shanghai Environment