In addition to Dubai, the following countries and regions have also implemented similar plastic bag bans: Asia China: Since June 1, 2008, the production, sale, and use of plastic shopping bags with a thickness of less than 0.025 millimeters have been banned nationwide, and a paid use system for plastic bags has been implemented. Since January 1, 2015, Jilin Province has banned the production and sale of non-degradable plastic shopping bags and plastic tableware. Since December 1, 2020, Hainan has comprehensively implemented a "plastic bag ban," prohibiting the production and sale of plastic products listed in the "Hainan Province List of Prohibited Production, Sale, and Use of Disposable Non-degradable Plastic Products (First Batch)." India: In 2016, the Indian government implemented a nationwide plastic ban, prohibiting the production, sale, and use of plastic bags and other disposable plastic items. The state of Karnataka completely banned the use of plastic, including plastic packaging bags and plastic tableware, in March 2016. South Korea: Since January 1, 2019, more than 2,000 hypermarkets and 11,000 supermarkets with a store area of over 165 square meters in South Korea have completely banned disposable plastic bags. Japan: Since April 2022, the "Plastic Resource Recycling Law" has been implemented, requiring municipalities to uniformly recycle food trays, toys, and other items generated in households. Relevant businesses are obligated to reduce the use of 12 types of disposable plastic products provided free of charge to customers, such as plastic spoons and disposable toothbrushes. Russia: From 2025 onwards, the use of disposable plastic packaging and products will be gradually phased out, and replaced with more environmentally friendly 100% degradable materials. Africa Kenya: In 2017, the Kenyan government implemented one of the world's strictest plastic bag bans, prohibiting the production, sale, and use of plastic bags. Violators face fines or imprisonment. Ethiopia: In 2011, Ethiopia banned the manufacture and import of disposable plastic shopping bags as part of its green growth strategy. Tanzania: Since June 1, 2019, a plastic bag ban has been implemented, but plastic packaging, medical supplies, industrial products, and plastic products in the construction sector are not prohibited. The Americas Canada: In October 2021, the Canadian government announced plans to ban the manufacture and import of various disposable plastic items, including plastic shopping bags, straws, tableware, and stirrers, by the end of 2022. Chile: Since February 3, 2019, large supermarkets and shopping malls in Chile have been prohibited from providing free or paid plastic bags to shoppers, and a comprehensive "plastic ban" will be implemented from August 3, 2020. Europe France: In 2016, France became the first country to ban plastic plates, cups, and cutlery, which also includes disposable plastic items such as straws and stirrers. Italy: In 2019, Italy prohibited the distribution, sale, and use of disposable plastic bags, as well as the production and sale of plastic cotton swabs. Iceland: Since July 3, 2021, Iceland has banned the placing on the market of certain common disposable plastic products, including disposable plastic cotton pens, cutlery, straws, food containers, etc. Norway: Since July 3, 2021, Norway has prohibited the use of disposable plastic products such as plastic straws and cutlery. European Union: New regulations require that from January 1, 2030, the use of certain disposable plastic packaging, including packaging for unprocessed vegetables and fruits, and micro shampoo bottles used in hotels, will be prohibited.
