China will ban the use of some plastic bags or will force consumers to pay for others trying to save on resources and to ease the pressure on its environment.

The Chinese Government made the news public on Tuesday saying that the ban would take effect starting with June 1, local media sources reported. However, the cabinet did not provide details on how expensive the plastic would be for the shoppers who still use them.

"Plastic shopping bags, due to reasons such as excessive use and inefficient recycling, have caused serious energy and resources waste and environment pollution. The super thin bags (those thinner than 0.025 mm) have especially become a main source of plastic pollution as they are easy to break and thus disposed of carelessly," the statement said.

The ban applies to thin plastic bags. Instead of them, people will be encouraged to use baskets or reusable cloth bags for their shopping, the council said. On the other hand, companies will be urged to produce bags that are more endurable or recyclables.

Moreover, all supermarkets, department stores and shops that violated the new ban could be fined or have their goods confiscated, the statement said.

This ban comes after other countries like Ireland and Taiwan and some parts of South Africa banned plastic bags. For that, authorities either tax shoppers who continue to use them of impose fees on companies that distribute them. The measure was considered in San Francisco too, as last year it became the first U.S. city to ban petroleum-based plastic grocery bags.