China Bans Free Plastic Bags
China may lag behind developed nations in tackling air and water pollution, but it has just taken the lead in one area: banning free plastic bags. In the future, Chinese shoppers will either have to buy them or bring their own. The move is expected to save China millions of barrels of oil each year.
Related NPR Stories
Concerns Rise with Water of Three Gorges Dam Jan. 2, 2008
Yellow River Pollution Is Price of Economic Growth Dec. 11, 2007
China's Mother River Under Threat Dec. 10, 2007
Electric Bikes Trendy in China Nov. 28, 2007