According to a new report by Environment America, U.S. Public Interest Research Group Education Fund, and Frontier Group, the numerous policies restricting the distribution of single-use plastic bags in cities and states across the U.S. have been highly effective. These policies have resulted in a significant decrease in plastic bag usage. The report suggests that plastic bag bans have led to the elimination of nearly 300 single-use plastic bags per person per year.
The study emphasizes that plastic bag bans have been successful in altering consumer behavior. Faye Park, president of the U.S. PIRG Education Fund, stated, “The bottom line is that plastic bag bans work. People quickly realize it’s easy to live without plastic bags and get used to bringing a bag from home or forgoing a bag when it’s not needed.”
These findings are based on an analysis of plastic bag bans on a nationwide scale, with a focus on representative policies in New Jersey, Vermont, Philadelphia, Portland, Oregon, and Santa Barbara, California. The report also highlighted that New Jersey’s ban, which was enacted in 2022, had the most significant impact, resulting in the elimination of over 5.5 billion plastic bags annually.
With more than 500 citywide ordinances and 12 statewide bans already in place, the report also indicated potential additions to this list in Georgia and Massachusetts. The report also mentioned the detrimental effects of single-use plastic bags on the environment and wildlife, and the increasing health concerns associated with microplastic pollution.
Despite the success of plastic bag bans, there are skeptics who question their overall impact, while others argue that these bans can have unintended consequences, such as a rise in the use of alternative resources like paper bags. However, the report urges for a shift towards reusable bags and suggests including a charge for paper bags to encourage the use of more sustainable alternatives.
Additionally, the report recommends the implementation of more comprehensive plastic bag bans, targeting all types of plastic bags as well as the promotion of reusable bags to effectively reduce disposable bag usage. It also emphasizes the need to close the loophole that allows retailers to replace thin single-use plastic bags with thicker ones, which are often not reused by consumers.
