Germans reduce the use of plastic bags and go shopping with jute bags

International Online Special: According to the report of Der Spiegel Weekly on February 24, the latest statistics show that Germans consumed about 6 billion plastic bags in 2012, 11% less than the 7 billion in 2000. This result is directly related to more and more people starting to use sacks instead of plastic bags.

According to the report, a survey shows that the average German consumes 76 plastic bags per capita every year, while the average figure in the EU is 198. Experts say this is related to many people's conscious use of sacks and repeated use of plastic bags. 72% of German citizens say they will reuse a plastic bag and eventually throw it away as a garbage bag, with nearly one-third of people even reusing a plastic bag up to 5 times.

It is reported that the European Union is planning to ban the use of thin plastic bags for fruits and vegetables, but this move has been opposed by plastic bag manufacturers. The German Federal Environmental Agency (UBA) has proposed to charge for plastic bags used in supermarkets, and this regulation has already been implemented in most supermarkets, with prices typically ranging from 10-30 euros (approximately 0.84-2.52 yuan). Thomas Holzmann, Deputy Director of the Environmental Protection Agency, said, "Disposable plastic bags have a short lifespan and can be damaged after 2-3 uses, and they are also difficult to recycle