BEIJING, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese authorities demand primary and middle schools to step up education on environment protection and reduce the use of plastic, according to a statement issued Wednesday.

The schools should not force students to use plastic book covers, especially substandard ones, which could damage children's health, said the statement.

The statement also requires low-carbon consumption in curricular and extracurricular activities and in school management so as to raise the environmental awareness among the students.