China produces a lot of plastic waste. The government wants to restrict the packaging, therefore, a possible model for other emerging countries.

Coffee-to-go-Cup to apply in China as a sign of prosperity photo: Jason Lee/reuters

BERLIN taz | China's state development and reform Commission (NDRC) was not just for the protection of the environment is known. On the contrary, following in the Wake of the financial crisis of 2009, the global economy threatened to collapse, let this mighty Commission, the Chinese heavy industry running at full speed. The revived the economy, but created huge Overcapacity, under which the world suffers to this day. China has driven also the CO2-emissions on most brands. The country sank into the Smog.

Now, however, the Commission has come up with a good Plan. Already by the end of this year in China's big cities no more plastic bags allowed to be published. Plastic straws are prohibited until then, across the country, this also applies to disposable utensils and Styrofoam boxes for lunch. In the ears of an European that does not might sound like a lot. Similar the EU has decided already. For such a large country like China, however, this step is revolutionary.

It wasn't long ago that a majority of people in China suffered from poverty and poor Hygiene. For many, it was a progress, your tea is no longer a battered enamel Cup of sipping or to have to the rice from contaminated bowls blades. Styrofoam boxes and Coffee-to-go-apply the Cup as a sign of prosperity.

China's recycling problem, however, is not consciousness only with a lack of environment. Often, the plastic waste is because of the many scraps of food – which typically are wet for the sauce, country kitchen rich – to be energy-efficient in furnaces to heat. Despite the modern facilities, the country can't keep up with the Recycle. Whole tracts of land, rivers, lakes, and coasts are full of rubbish.

This is a Problem that India and Indonesia have also. China's Plan to let the garbage qua plastic ban in the first place, is primarily a Signal to other Emerging and developing countries. Because that is where it is decided whether mankind choking on your plastic.