Beijing's Haidian District took the lead in promoting "green shopping bags" amid a national crackdown on plastic bag use.

Staff members of the Haidian Bureau of Commerce sent out 100 "green bags" within 40 minutes on Wednesday at a conference attended by the district's political advisors and representatives from regional government institutions.

The "green bags," larger than the standard free plastic bags in supermarkets, are made from recycled plastic, which can also be adequately recycled again, Wang Shuxia, director of the bureau, told the Beijing News.

Along with the "green bags," the bureau also distributed pencils and notebooks made from recycled paper.

The State Council issued a ban Tuesday on production of ultra-thin plastic bags, which are usually handed out for free in supermarkets and shops.

"Our country consumes enormous amounts of plastic bags every year. While providing convenience to consumers, they have also caused serious pollution, and waste energy and resources, because of excessive use and inadequate recycling," a notice posted on the central government's website (www.gov.cn) read.

(CRIENGLISH.com January 11, 2008)