Carrefour Yangjiaping Store in Chongqing recently issued a new rule concerning its plastic shopping bags where it does not provide plastic bags to customers whose purchase value is less than RMB12.

Some customers quoted in local media consider this measure to be discriminating against those who purchase cheaper goods. However, a representative from Carrefour explains that the purpose of this action by Carrefour is to reduce pollution caused by plastic bags, and this is just an experiment to test the feedback from customers.

Wu Dengming, a representative from the Chongqing Municipal Association of Environmental Protection Volunteers, says Carrefour's move looks more like a public relations stunt than a pure desire for protecting the environment.

The Carrefour representative says that Carrefour wishes to encourage customers to take their own shopping bags when shopping.