Plastic Bag Fees and Bans Are Working–Big Time, Researchers Say

Plastic bag fees and bans are working–big time, researchers say

It's been more than a decade since California enacted a soft ban on single-use plastic bags at grocery stores and other businesses. In the coming year, that ban will become more strict as the thicker, potentially reusable plastic bags many consumers have gotten used to using (and paying for) are also being phased out. But how effective are these plastic bag bans and the accompanying fees, which are meant to encourage reuse, paper bags or simply …

Plastic bag bans linked to sharp decline in coastal litter, study finds

A new study finds that regional plastic bag bans in the U.S. significantly reduce coastal plastic bag litter compared with areas without such policies. Single-use plastic bags are one of the most ubiquitous forms of plastic litter. They are rarely recycled and degrade quickly into microplastics that are often ingested by wildlife, leading to injury, stress and death. To tackle the problem, many municipalities have turned to regulation. As of 202…

Plastic Bags Are Dying. Recycled Fabric Totes Are Taking Over. But Are We Just Rebranding Waste? – FMIBlog

On a recent Saturday in Los Angeles, shoppers fumbled through checkout lines—half with a crumpled paper bag, the rest with oversized cotton totes shouting climate slogans. Starting next year, they won’t have the luxury to choose: California is phasing out all plastic “reusable” bags. Only recycled paper will remain. This is no trend. It’s a full-blown market shift. The recycled tote bag boom is real. But so are its contradictions. Global sales o…

Plastic bag bans reduce shoreline litter by nearly 50%, study finds

Plastic debris is now a troubling reality in oceans and along shorelines worldwide. From tiny microplastics to large waste items, plastic pollution threatens marine life, ecosystems, and even local economies. Animals suffer fatal entanglements, digestive system blockages, and toxic chemical exposure. Communities also face declining tourism and property values, highlighting the urgent need to manage plastic waste effectively. According to global …