Socio-scientific issues-based science instruction addresses societal-related issues to promote contemporary science education. Societal-related issues almost always have to be considered in the cultural environment to which they are relevant. This means that the cultural aspects of socio-scientific issues need to be taken into account to develop scientific literacy for a sustainable future. However, related educational research focusing on the cultural components of socio-scientific issues is rare in mainland China and elsewhere. A lesson plan about disposable plastic take-out food containers is presented that operates links to Confucian ecological ethics. The lesson plan was designed, implemented online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and evaluated in a suburban high school in Beijing, China. The intervention contains the introduction, learning about conventional and biodegradable plastics, and a role-play debate to raise students' awareness of environmentally friendly attitudes and behaviors in connection to Confucian ecological ethics. Two learning groups (N = 79) joined the intervention. A feedback questionnaire indicates the feasibility of the lesson plan and that focusing on Confucian ecological ethics can contribute to chemistry education for sustainable development in Confucian societies.