On March 22, 2006, Chinese government introduced a 5% tax on disposable wooden chopsticks in a bid to preserve its forests.
China produces about 45 billion pairs of chopsticks a year, therefore, consuming millions of trees and bamboo plants. Therefore, the in order to improve the environment and narrow the gap between rich and poor, the government initiated this move. The disposable wooden chopsticks are splints of wood that are about eight and 10 inches long. The wooden chopsticks have always been target of environmentalist and of school children who have written to the Chinese prime minister asking for a ban on such disposable wooden chopsticks. There are some Chinese who doubt that the tax increase would protect the environment while some are optimistic about this new move taken by the government to preserve trees and protect the environment.

Personal opinion:  I think this might not be a very effective way to preserve trees, but it is a good initiative by the Chinese government. By putting a 5% tax on the wooden chopsticks, it is creating awareness among the Chinese that the wooden chopsticks are having harmful environmental impact. Since, the Chinese produces billions of wooden chopsticks, and hence it is cutting down millions of trees and plants to produce such chopsticks, this has negative impact on the environment. Especially, with the growing concern and risk of global warming and a great need to plant trees to decrease the risk of the global warming. The move made by the Chinese government is a good start but my not be wholly effective. It might need to take a stronger and more affirmative action to have a greater and more positive environmental impact.

Source: BBC News

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