A year ago today China joined a small group of countries that ban or limit the use of plastic shopping bags. The law says shopkeepers must charge for such bags - or face a fine of up to $1,500.
The aim is to reduce so called “white-pollution” - an eyesore in many parts of the country.

And, in urban areas at least, the ban seems to have been successful. A survey carried out by the China Chain Store and Franchise Association found that supermarkets have used around 40 billion fewer bags since last June…