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China to drop production of chopsticks in environment bid

© RIA Novosti . Dmitry Korobeinikov / Go to the mediabankChopsticks
Chopsticks - Sputnik International
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China plans to curb the production of its traditional eating utensils, chopsticks, in a bid to protect the environment, the country's Ministry of Commerce said on Wednesday

China plans to curb the production of its traditional eating utensils, chopsticks, in a bid to protect the environment, the country's Ministry of Commerce said on Wednesday.

China, the biggest exporter of wooden chopsticks, which are part of its food culture, fells more than 25 million trees per year to make 45 billion pairs of this throwaway tableware.

Environmentalists have been calling to introduce a ban on chopstick production saying it contributes to deforestation.

"The less usage of disposable chopsticks or the full refusal of suing them is an important measure towards scientific development and establishment of an ecological and energy saving society," the ministry said in a circular.

The ministry has ordered Chinese authorities to strengthen control over the production of chopsticks, prevent their irrational usage and encourage giving them up.

The circular said restaurants should introduce wooden or plastic chopsticks that can be sanitized and used a multiple amount of times rather than disposable ones, which are just thrown away.

BEIJING, June 23 (RIA Novosti)

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