Beijing is taking steps to adjust to the national ban on the use of ultra-thin plastic bags, and has introduced micrometers as "checkers".

The ban taken effect on June 1 forbids the buying, storing and providing of ultra-thin plastic bags, or those thinner than 0.025 millimeters.

However, it's hard for administrators to judge the thickness of plastic bags by the human eye, an officer from Beijing Industry and Commerce Administration Bureau told the Beijing News.

In response, the city's Fengtai District has equipped administrators with micrometers to check plastic bags, according to Mr. Guo from the district's administration bureau.

Meanwhile, punishments for violation of the ban are no more than verbal criticism for the time being since the Ministry of Commerce hasn't issued related detailed rules.

Results of inspections in local food markets and supermarkets were satisfactory. In general, free ultra-thin plastic bags have been replaced by thick plastic bags that required payment.

Some supermarkets also have shopping baskets for rent, charging 10 yuan, or US$1.5 a week.

China launched this "habit revolution" in a bid to reduce energy consumption and polluting emissions.

(CRI June 20, 2008)