Plastic bag bans in the US reduced plastic bag use by billions, study finds

A new report from nonprofits Environment America, U.S. Public Interest Research Group Education Fund and Frontier Group has found that bans on plastic bags around the U.S. have already reduced the number of bags used by billions.

The report, “Plastic Bag Bans Work”, found that bans in three states — New Jersey, Philadelphia and Vermont — and two cities, Portland, Oregon and Santa Barbara, California, have reduced the number of single-use plastic bags used each year by around 6 billion. According to Environment America, the number of bags saved could go around the planet 42 times.

Further, the findings suggested that plastic bag bans could cut single-use plastic bag use by around 300 bags per person each year once adopted.

According to the report, over 500 municipalities in 28 states had plastic bag legislation in effect as of 2021. Additionally, 12 states have single-use plastic bag bans: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. State-wide bans in Colorado and Rhode Island just went into effect at the start of 2024.

Origen: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2024/01/plastic-bag-bans-reduce-waste

States that no longer allow plastic bags

Several stores charge an extra fee to consumers who ask for plastic packaging, since the goal of banning them is to encourage everyone to bring their own reusable bag to the stores. In addition, penalties are implemented for stores that do not comply with the rules. Below are the nine states that have this ban:

1. California

Grocery stores are required not to give this type of packaging to customers. The ban will go into full effect on January 1, 2025. However, some establishments have already adhered to the measure. Those who want to access a bag must buy it for a price between five and ten cents.

2. Hawaii

Hawaii was the first state in the US to completely ban single-use bags. All stores are required to charge at least 15 cents for each recyclable paper or reusable plastic bag they give to people.

3. Connecticut

There was already a 10 cent tax on each bag purchased here, but that tax was eliminated on July 1, 2021. That was the date the state's total plastic ban went into effect. Currently, stores give out paper or reusable bags for free, although others do charge an extra fee for them.

4. Maine

It was in 2021 that Maine passed a new law requiring all large retailers to no longer offer these types of bags. Consumers who accidentally forgot theirs would be charged five cents for each bag they requested.

5. Delaware

A no-plastic-bag policy was implemented in mid-2022, which many retailers evaded by giving out bags that were 2.25 millimeters thick (thinner than the traditional ones that are banned). However, now even the thinnest bags will no longer be accepted.

6. New York

Since 2020, the state Department of Environmental Conservation has been trying to make all businesses comply with the restriction on plastic bags. Those who do not comply are sent a summons to go to the appropriate authorities.

7. Oregon

Also in 2020, Oregon announced that it was joining this anti-pollution policy to avoid further damage to the Earth. In this sense, all retail stores and customer service establishments can no longer give out bags even if they charge an extra fee for them. In addition, they must charge at least five cents for paper, reusable plastic or cloth bags.

8. New Jersey

New Jersey also does not allow the sale of bags to its consumers. Anyone who forgets to bring their own packaging must buy one made of cloth or polypropylene. Anyone who does not comply with the measures will receive a punishment commensurate with having committed an illegal act.

9. Vermont

Finally, another of the states that prohibits single-use plastic is Vermont. Since 2020, no retailer or restaurateur can give out these bags and must even charge ten cents for each paper package they give to customers.

Christy Leavitt, director of Oceana's plastics campaign, said Sunday that the new ban on single-use plastic bags at grocery checkouts "solidifies California as a leader in the fight against the global plastic pollution crisis."

Twelve states, including California, already have some form of plastic bag ban in place, according to the environmental advocacy group Environment America Research & Policy Center. Hundreds of cities in 28 states also have their own plastic bag bans in place.

Countries that ban the use of plastic bags

Ireland

Irish authorities have implemented the PlasTax since 2002. It consists of a 20% tax on purchases, which is levied on users of plastic bags. The measure had an immediate effect: bag consumption fell by 90% and the money raised was allocated to environmental protection and recycling programs.

Argentina

In this country, there is a wide variety of environmental regulations, at different levels. However, the use of plastic bags is only prohibited by provincial legislation in the following provinces: Neuquén, Río Negro, Chubut and Buenos Aires.

Australia

There is no national legislation in this country. The ban on plastic bags is enforced through state regulations, in force in 4 states: Tasmania, South Australia, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory.

Mexico

There is no federal law establishing a national ban on the use of non-biodegradable plastic bags, but there are state provisions. In the Federal District of Mexico City, plastic bags were banned by the amendment of the Solid Waste Act of 2003 in 2010.

England

On September 14, 2013, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg announced in England the imposition of a mandatory five-pence tax on the use of disposable plastic bags. This tax came into effect in 2015.

The proceeds from this tax, which will only apply to supermarkets and large stores, will be donated to charity.

China

Since June 1, 2008, two months before the start of the Summer Olympics in Beijing, China has issued a national regulation prohibiting companies from manufacturing, selling or using plastic bags less than 0.025 millimeters thick.

Spain

In March 2011, the Spanish government approved a draft law on waste, which aims to gradually reduce the consumption of single-use bags until they are finally eliminated in 2018.

United States of America (USA)

In the United States of America (USA), there is still no federal legislation establishing a ban on plastic bags throughout the country; This matter is currently regulated only through state or local regulations, such as Delaware, Illinois, Maine, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, the District of Columbia and California.

France

Finally, on May 26, 2015, a ban was passed on the delivery and/or sale of non-biodegradable plastic bags in French supermarkets.

Germany

In Germany, retailers voluntarily charge customers for the plastic bags they are given. In supermarkets, they usually charge around 10 to 15 euro 80 cents for each bag.

Senegal

In Senegal, a law adopted last April by the Senegalese Parliament aimed at protecting the country's environment and wildlife comes into force. The new law prohibits the production, import, sale and distribution of these bags throughout the national territory, since in recent years they had become a major problem due to their widespread use.

Origen: https://cceea.mx/blog/medio-ambiente/que-paises-prohiben-el-uso-de-bolsas-de-plastico#google_vignette

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