Storyline: Shanghai's latest plastic ban pushes up demand for sustainable alternatives [Voice_over] Shanghai's latest ban on single-use plastics is triggering a surge in demand for sustainable alternatives, prompting manufacturers across China to scale up production and invest in compostable and biodegradable materials. Starting on September 1, enterprises in Shanghai including restaurants, food delivery services, and supermarkets are subject to fines of up to around 14,000 U.S. dollars, in addition to potential damage to their credit ratings, if they use non-compliant disposable tableware. In east China's Huzhou City, an export-oriented company that produces biodegradable tableware is seeing new opportunities amid the policy shift, and say they're planning to expand domestic sales channels. [Sound_bite] Xie Zidong, Chairman, environmental protection and technology company: "Currently, our daily production capacity stands at around 10 tons. When promoting nationwide, there is a possibility of a tenfold production increase in the short term. We're looking at investing around 400,000 U.S. dollars a year." [Voice_over] Meanwhile, producers are doubling down on disposable tableware and packaging bags made from bagasse, bamboo pulp, and silicone. Some of items are designed to be used microwaves or ovens and to decompose within two to three months after being thrown out. [Sound_bite] Niu Xifei, General manager, environmental protection and technology company: "Since Shanghai's plastic ban took effect on September 1, we are ready to immediately start production and ensure supply as soon as customers need our products. We can achieve a daily output of around ten tons, with an annual sales value exceeding 14 million U.S. dollars." [Voice_over] In 2020, China unveiled a five-year plan to control plastic pollution, with a goal of reducing the use of non-degradable single-use plastic tableware for take-out in cities by 30 percent by the end of this year. [Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]