(CRI)
Updated: 2008-01-15 10:19

Local residents carry a bamboo basket to purchase food in an open market in Qinghua Town, in Central China's Henan Province, on Monday, January 14, 2008. [Xinhua]

The bamboo basket, which had almost disappeared from sight in recent years, will return to housewives' hands once again.

Its revival stems from China's upcoming strict regulations against "white pollution."

Starting June 1, all supermarkets, department stores and shops will be banned from handing out free plastic bags. Instead, they must clearly mark the prices of plastic shopping bags. The production, sale and use of ultra-thin plastic bags are also to be banned.

Chinese people have hardly used bamboo baskets since the plastic bag gained popularity.