Shanghai tightens rules on excessive packaging

The country's first regional rules on excessive packaging of products will take effect in Shanghai next year.

The rules were approved recently, and will be implemented from February 2013.

Under the rules, manufacturers that produce products with excessive packaging will be required to rectify the situation within some time; those who sell products with excessive packaging and refuse to rectify the situation will face fines as high as 50,000 yuan ($8,000).

Excessive packaging creates huge waste. It has been reported that about one-third of daily waste in Chinese cities are packaging products.

According to a survey released by the social survey center of the China Youth Daily last month, about 97.5 percent of respondents said that excessive packaging is a serious problem for shoppers. And 83 percent said that excessive packaging is a waste of resources and a cause of environmental damage.

Contact the writer at wanghongyi@chinadaily.com.cn