Hop-pockets and other "enviroment-friendly bags" had been popular among Lhasa local people before the implementation of nationwide "Plastic Bag Ban" on June 1.

According to the national ban, plastic bags must be paid by customers in supermarkets, emporiums, and farmers' markets. However, in Lhasa, this kind of activities have been in full swing since July 1, 2004. The government order concerned went into operation on May 1, 2004.

Great progress has been achieved in the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region due to these efforts.

"Customers with plastic bags can be rarely seen in the city and all supermarkets in the city only provide 'enviromental-friendly bags'," said Peng Qiang, a tourist from Shanghai.

Chosphel Tsering, a local Tibetan elder told the reporter that he was used to using baskets for shopping in order to protect the environment.