Jump to content

Plastic bag ban

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Banning plastic bags)

A plastic bag ban or charge is a law that restricts the use of lightweight plastic bags at retail establishments. In the early 21st century, there has been a global trend towards the phase-out of lightweight plastic bags.[1][2] Single-use plastic shopping bags, commonly made from low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic[citation needed],[3] have traditionally been given for free to customers by stores when purchasing goods: the bags have long been considered a convenient, cheap, and hygienic way of transporting items. Problems associated with plastic bags include use of non-renewable resources (such as crude oil, gas and coal),[4] difficulties during disposal, and environmental impacts. Concurrently with the reduction in lightweight plastic bags, shops have introduced reusable shopping bags.

Various governments have banned the sale of lightweight bags, charge customers for lightweight bags, or generate taxes from the stores that sell them.[2][5] The Bangladesh government was the first to do so in 2002, imposing a total ban on lightweight plastic bags.[6] Between 2010 and 2019, the number of public policies intended to phase out plastic carryout bags tripled.[7] As of 2022, such bans have been introduced in 101 countries, with varying degrees of enforcement, and 32 countries instead impose a charge per bag. Bans and charges have also been enacted by some jurisdictions at the sub-national level.[citation needed]

Issues

[edit]
Plastic waste on the mounds of garbage in the Philippines

Plastic bags cause many minor and major ecological and environmental issues. The most general issue with plastic bags is the amount of waste produced. Many plastic bags end up on streets and subsequently pollute major water sources, rivers, and streams.

Photodegraded plastic bag adjacent to hiking trail. Approx. 2,000 pieces 1 to 25 mm (1/32" to 1"), three months' exposure outdoors[clarification needed].

Even when disposed of properly, they take many years to decompose and break down, generating large amounts of garbage over long periods of time. Improperly discarded bags have polluted waterways, clogged sewers and been found in oceans, affecting the ecosystem of marine creatures.[3] Huge volumes of plastic waste end up in the oceans every year, causing threats to marine species and disruption to the marine food chain. Several microbial species colonize on plastic particles enhancing their harmfulness, and plastic particles driven by winds form garbage patches in various parts of the oceans.[8] The UN estimates that there will be more plastics than fish in the oceans by 2050 unless countries comes up with urgent measures to promote efficient production, use and waste management of plastics throughout their life cycles.[9]

Plastic bags have been found to contribute to global warming. After disposed of, if exposed to consistent sunlight the surface of such plastic produces significant amounts of two greenhouse gasesmethane and ethylene. Furthermore, due to its low density/high branching properties, it breaks down more easily over time compared to other plastics leading to higher exposed surface areas and accelerated release of gases. Production of these trace gases from virgin plastics exponentially increases with surface area/time, thus LDPE emits greenhouse gases at a more unsustainable rate compared to other plastics. At the end of a 212-day incubation, emissions have been recorded at 5.8 nanomoles per gram per day (nmol⋅g−1⋅d−1) of methane, 14.5 nmol⋅g−1⋅d−1 of ethylene, 3.9 nmol⋅g−1⋅d−1 of ethane and 9.7 nmol⋅g−1⋅d−1 of propylene.[10]

Two primary kinds of direct damage to wildlife are entanglement and ingestion.[11] Animals can become entangled and drown.[12] Plastic bags are often ingested by animals that cannot distinguish them from food. As a result, they clog their intestines which results in death by starvation.[12] Plastic bags can block drains, trap birds and kill livestock. The World Wide Fund for Nature has estimated that over 100,000 whales, seals, and turtles die every year[13] as a result of eating or being trapped by plastic bags. In India, an estimated number of 20 cows die per day as a result of ingesting plastic bags and having their digestive systems clogged by the bags. It is also very common across Africa to have sewers and drain systems clogged by bags which cause severe cases of malaria due to the increased population of mosquitoes that live on the flooded sewers.[14] The term "white pollution" has been coined in China to describe the local and global effects of discarded plastic bags upon the environment.[15]

Lightweight plastic bags are also blown into trees and other plants and can be mistaken for food. Plastic bags break down by polymer degradation but not by biodegradation. As a result, any toxic additives they contain—including flame retardants, antimicrobials, and plasticizers—will be released into the environment. Many of those toxins directly affect the endocrine systems of organisms, which control almost every cell in the body.[16] Research shows the average operating "lifespan" of a plastic bag to be approximately 20 years.[17]

Plastic bags dumped in the Pacific Ocean can end up in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. 80% of the plastic waste comes from land; the rest comes from oil platforms and ships.[18] This can be eaten by marine animals, and block their breathing passages and digestive systems. Plastic bags not only add to the Great Pacific garbage patch, they can be washed ashore around the world.[19]

Methods

[edit]

The two most popular methods of phasing out lightweight plastic bags are charges and bans.[7] The charge strategy is said[who?] to have all of the same results in plastic bag reduction as a plastic bag ban, with the additional benefit of creating a new revenue source.[20] The plastic bag charge method also protects consumer choice, which the ban does not.[20]

Recycling of plastic bags can be another method of phase-out. However, only 5% of plastic bags make it to recycling facilities.[20] Even when bags are brought to recycling facilities, they often fly out of these bins or recycling trucks and end up as litter on the streets.[21] Another issue with recycling is that different bags are made from different yet aesthetically similar types of plastics.[20] Bags can be either made of bioplastics or biodegradable plastics, and if accidentally combined in a compost, the bioplastics could contaminate the biodegradable composting.[20] These bags can also jam recycling equipment when mixed with other types of plastic, which can be costly to repair.[21] For example, costs of repairs rounded out to be about $1 million per year in San Jose, California.[21]

Impact

[edit]
Grocery bag comparisons of environmental impact
Grocery bag comparisons for greenhouse gas emissions

According to a 2018 study in the American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, a five-cent tax on disposable bags reduced disposable bag usage by 40 percentage points.[22] According to a 2019 review of existing studies, levies and taxes led to a 66% reduction in usage in Denmark, more than 90% in Ireland, between 74 and 90% in South Africa, Belgium, Hong Kong, Washington D.C., Santa Barbara, the UK and Portugal, and around 50% in Botswana and China.[7]

A 2019 study in the Journal of Environmental Economics and Management found that the implementation of a ban on plastic carryout bags in California led to a reduction of 40 million pounds of plastic through the elimination of plastic carryout bags but that Californians purchased 12 million pounds of plastic through trash bag purchases.[23] The study showed that before the introduction of the ban between 12% and 22% of plastic carryout bags were re-used as trash bags.[23]

Criticism

[edit]

Plastic bag bans can lead to larger black markets in plastic bags.[7] Studies show that plastic bag bans can shift people away from using thin plastic bags, but it can also increase the use of unregulated single use paper bags or unregulated thicker plastic bags in areas where these are provided for free.[24] Further, the bans can drive significant increases in sales of trash bags because people could no longer reuse their old grocery bags for things like lining small trash cans.[25][26][24][27]: 270.[7][28]: 1[27]: 254[27]: 270[excessive citations]

The thicker reusable bags that are intended to replace single-use bags are recyclable. However, they require a specific recycling process, which requires that they be disposed of separately from other household recyclable materials.[29][30] An estimated 6% of plastic bags are recycled.[31] This can lead to an overall increase in plastic waste from plastic bags.[30][31]

The production of some non-plastic bags (e.g. paper, cotton, using virgin plastic such as plastic having thickness of 50 micron) can produce more greenhouse gas emissions than plastic bags, which means that greenhouse gas emissions may increase on net following plastic bag bans. Alternatives to plastic bags would need to be reused over a hundred times to make them more environmentally friendly than plastic bags.[26][32] They are also viewed as less sanitary than plastic because they can bring germs from outside the store to high contact volume surfaces like carts and check out stands.[32]

Legislation around the world

[edit]

Summary

[edit]
Phase out of lightweight plastic bags around the world
Phase out of lightweight plastic bags around the world (laws passed but not yet in effect are not shown on map)
  Plastic bags banned
  A charge on some plastic bags
  Voluntary charge agreement
  Partial charge or ban (municipal or regional levels)


Legislation Country United Nations Regional Group Notes References
Ban  Afghanistan Asia-Pacific [33]
Ban  Albania Eastern Europe Since 2018. [34]
Ban  Andorra Western Europe and Others Since 2017. [35]
Ban  Anguilla N/A Since 2018. [36]
Ban  Antigua and Barbuda Latin America [37]
Regional ban  Argentina Latin America Banned in several provinces and cities. [38]
Ban  Armenia Eastern Europe Since 2022. [39]
Ban  Australia [needs update] Western Europe and Others Lightweight plastic bags banned in supermarkets in all states and territories. Initially replaced by reusable thick 15¢ bags in the two major supermarket chains, this was phased out by June 2023. Legislation covering other retailers varies by state/territory.

Norfolk Island has a voluntary agreement with retailers.

[40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][excessive citations]
Ban  Austria Western Europe and Others Since 2020. [49]
Ban  Azerbaijan Eastern Europe Since 2021. [50]
Ban  Bahamas Latin America Since 1 July 2020. [51]
Ban  Bahrain Asia-Pacific Since 21 July 2019. [52]
Ban  Bangladesh Asia-Pacific Since 2002. [53]
Ban  Barbados Latin America Since April 2019. [54]
 Belarus Eastern Europe Charge is being considered. [55]
Ban  Belgium Western Europe and Others Since 2016 in Wallonia, 2017 in Brussels, 2019 in Flanders. [56][57]
Ban  Belize Latin America Since 22 April 2019 (Earth Day). [58][59]
Ban  Benin Africa Since November 2017. [60][61]
Ban  Bhutan Asia-Pacific [62]
Regional ban  Bolivia South America Banned in La Paz. [63]
Charge  Bosnia and Herzegovina Eastern Europe [33]
Ban  Botswana Africa Since November 2018.
Regional ban  Brazil Latin America Banned in São Paulo and the state of Rio de Janeiro. [64][65]
 British Indian Ocean Territory N/A Move from plastic to paper bags planned, method not announced. [66]
Voluntary charge  Brunei Asia-Pacific [67]
Charge  Bulgaria Eastern Europe [68]
Ban  Burkina Faso Africa Since 2015. [69][61]
Ban  Burundi Africa Since 22 August 2019. [70]
Charge  Cambodia Asia-Pacific Since October 2017. [71]
Ban  Cameroon Africa Since April 2014. [72]
Ban  Canada Western Europe and Others Since 20 Dec 2022. See section[73]
Ban  Cape Verde Africa Since 2017. [74][61]
Ban  Central African Republic Africa Since 2021 [75]
Regional ban  Chad Africa Banned in N'Djamena. [76]
Ban  Chile Latin America Since February 2019. [77]
Ban  China Asia-Pacific Since 2022. Charge applied since June 2008. Replaced by ban, excluding fresh produce markets until 2025. Hong Kong and Macau apply a charge. [78][79][80][81][82]
Charge  Taiwan Asia-Pacific Since 2003. Ban planned for 2030. [83][84][85][86]
Ban  Colombia Latin America Since July 2017. Charge applied to reusable bags. [87][88]
Ban  Comoros Africa Since April 2018. [89]
 Cook Islands N/A Ban planned. Ban on importing non-biodegradable plastic shopping bags since 2012. [90][91]
Ban  Costa Rica Latin America Since 2021. [92][93]
Ban  Democratic Republic of the Congo Africa Since 2018. [94]
Ban  Republic of the Congo Africa Since 2011. [95]
Ban  Croatia Eastern Europe Since 2022. [96]
Ban  Cyprus Western Europe and Others Since 18 February 2023. [97][98]
Charge  Czech Republic Eastern Europe Since 2018 [99]
Charge  Denmark Western Europe and Others A tax on plastic bags since 1993. There is also a tax in Greenland. [100][101]
Ban  Djibouti Africa [33]
Ban  Dominica North America Since 2019. [102]
Ban  East Timor Asia-Pacific Since 23 February 2021. [103]
Charge  Ecuador Latin America Since 9 May 2020. Banned in the Galápagos Islands. [104][105]
Regional ban  Egypt Africa Banned in Red Sea Governorate. [106]
Charge  Equatorial Guinea Africa Charge since 12 December 2019. [107]
Ban  Eritrea Africa Since 2005. [108]
Charge  Estonia Eastern Europe Since July 2017. [100]
 Eswatini Africa Ban from 1 December 2024. [109]
Regional ban  Ethiopia Africa [110]
Ban  Fiji Asia-Pacific Since 2020. [111]
Voluntary charge  Finland Western Europe and Others [112][100]
Ban  France Western Europe and Others Since July 2016. Also banned in Overseas France. [113][114][115][116][117]
Ban  Gabon Africa Since 2010. [118]
Ban  Gambia Africa Since 2015. [119][61]
Ban  Georgia Eastern Europe Since 2017. [120]
Ban  Germany Western Europe and Others Since 2022. [121]
Ban  Gibraltar N/A Since 2019. [122]
Charge  Greece Western Europe and Others Since 2018. [123]
Ban  Grenada Latin America Since February 2019. [124]
Ban  Guatemala Latin America Since 2021. [125]
Regional bans and voluntary charges  Guernsey N/A Ban in Alderney. Voluntary charge in Guernsey. [126][127]
Ban  Guinea-Bissau Africa Since 2016. [128][61]
Ban  Guyana Latin America Since 2021. [129]
Ban  Haiti Latin America [130][59]
Regional ban  Honduras Latin America Banned in the Bay Islands Department. [131]
Charge  Hungary Eastern Europe Since 2012. [100]
Ban  Iceland Western Europe and Others Since 2021. [132]
Ban  India Asia-Pacific Since 2002. Also banned at regional levels due to poor enforcement. [5][133]
Regional bans and charges  Indonesia Asia-Pacific Charges in 23 cities. Banned in Bali since June 2019 and Jakarta since July 2020. [134][135][136][137]
Regional ban  Iraq Asia-Pacific Banned in Kurdistan Region. [138]
Charge  Ireland Western Europe and Others Since March 2002, a 0.15 Euro tax has been added to all plastic bags, increasing to 0.22 Euro in July 2007. Since these charges were added, there has been a 90% reduction in the use of plastic bags. [139][140]
Ban  Isle of Man N/A Full ban in force from 18 October 2023, including products made from oxo-degradable plastics. [141][142][143]
Charge  Israel Western Europe and Others Since January 2017. [144]
Ban  Italy Western Europe and Others Since January 2011. [145]
Ban  Ivory Coast Africa Since 2014. [146][61]
Ban  Jamaica Latin America Since January 2019. [147][59]
Charge  Japan Asia-Pacific Since July 2020. [148][149][150]
Ban  Jersey N/A Ban since July 2022. Reusable bags subject to 70p charge. [151][152]
 Kazakhstan Asia-Pacific Ban is being considered. [153]
Ban  Kenya Africa Since 28 August 2017. [154]
Ban  Kiribati Asia-Pacific Since October 2020. [155]
Regional ban  Kyrgyzstan Asia-Pacific Banned in tourist areas. Ban planned for 2027. [156]
Charge  Latvia Eastern Europe Since January 2019. Ban to be implemented by 2025. [157][158]
Regional ban  Lebanon Asia-Pacific Banned in Byblos. [159]
 Lesotho Africa Charge planned. [160]
Charge  Lithuania Eastern Europe Since 31 December 2018. [100]
Charge  Luxembourg Western Europe and Others [100][112]
Ban  Madagascar Africa Since 2015. [161]
 Malawi Africa Bans revoked several times. [89]
Regional charge  Malaysia Asia-Pacific Charges in two states. [162][163]
Ban  Maldives Asia-Pacific Since June 2021. [164]
Ban  Mali Africa [165][61]
Ban  Malta Western Europe and Others Since 2022. [100][166]
Ban  Marshall Islands Asia-Pacific [167]
Ban  Mauritania Africa Since 2013. [168]
Ban  Mauritius Africa Since 2016. [169]
Regional ban  Mexico Latin America Banned in 18 states and Mexico City. [170][171][172]
Ban  Micronesia Asia-Pacific Since 31 December 2020. [167][173][174][175]
Ban  Moldova Eastern Europe Since 2021. [176]
Ban  Monaco Western Europe and Others Since 2016. [177]
Ban  Mongolia Asia-Pacific Since March 2019. [178]
Ban  Montenegro Eastern Europe Since October 2024 [179]
Ban  Morocco Africa Since July 2016. [180]
Charge  Mozambique Africa Since 5 February 2016. Ban to be implemented by 2024. [181][182]
Regional ban  Myanmar Asia-Pacific Banned in Yangon. [183]
Regional ban  Namibia Africa Banned in protected places. Levy approved but not implemented. [89][184]
Ban  Nauru Asia-Pacific Since 23 April 2021. [185]
Ban    Nepal Asia-Pacific [186]
Charge  Netherlands Western Europe and Others Since 2016. Banned in Aruba, Curacao, Sint Maarten and Caribbean Netherlands. [187][188][189][190][191][192]
Ban  New Zealand Western Europe and Others Since July 2019. Also banned in Niue. Ban planned in the Cook Islands. [193][194][90]
Ban  Niger Africa [195][61]
Ban  Nigeria Africa [196][61]
Ban  Niue N/A Banned since 2020. [194][197]
Charge  North Macedonia Eastern Europe Since 2009. [198][199]
Voluntary charge  Norway Western Europe and Others [200]
Ban  Oman Asia-Pacific Since 2021. [201]
Ban  Pakistan Asia-Pacific Banned independently in each of the country's provinces and territories from 1994 to 2019. [202][203][204][205]
Ban  Palau Asia-Pacific [206]
Ban  Panama Latin America Since 20 July 2019. [207]
Ban  Papua New Guinea Asia-Pacific Since 2016. [208][209]
Charge  Peru Latin America Since August 2019. [210][211]
Regional ban and charges  Philippines Asia-Pacific Banned in select cities of Metro Manila, excluding Taguig, Malabon, Caloocan, Valenzuela, Navotas and San Juan. [212][213][214][215][216]
Charge  Poland Eastern Europe Since 2018. [217]
Charge  Portugal Western Europe and Others Since 2016. [218]
Ban  Romania Eastern Europe Since 2019. [100]
 Russia Eastern Europe Ban planned for 2024. [219]
Ban  Rwanda Africa Since 2008. [220]
 Saint Kitts and Nevis Latin America Ban planned for 31 March 2025 [221]
Ban  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Latin America Since August 2020. [222]
Ban  Samoa Asia-Pacific Since 2019. [223]
Ban  San Marino Western Europe and Others Since 1 June 2021. [224]
Ban  São Tomé and Príncipe Africa Since 2021 [225]
Ban  Senegal Africa Since April 2015. [226][61]
Charge  Serbia Eastern Europe Since 2018. Banned in Belgrade and Novi Sad. [227][228]
Ban  Seychelles Africa Since 2017. [229]
Charge  Slovakia Eastern Europe Since March 2017. [100]
Charge  Slovenia Eastern Europe Since 2019. [230]
Ban  Solomon Islands Asia-Pacific Since 1 September 2023 [231]
Ban  Somalia Africa Since 30 June 2024. Also banned in Somaliland. [232][233][234][235][236][237]
Charge  South Africa Africa Since 2004. [238][239]
Ban  South Korea Asia-Pacific Since August 2018. [240]
Ban  South Sudan Africa [241]
Charge  Spain Western Europe And Others Since July 2018. Banned in Balearic Islands since 2020. [242][243]
Ban  Sri Lanka Asia Since 2017. [244]
Regional ban  Sudan Africa Banned in Khartoum State. [245]
Charge  Sweden Western Europe and Others [246]
Voluntary charge   Switzerland Western Europe and Others Banned in Geneva since 2020. Voluntary charge elsewhere. [247][248][249][250]
 Tajikistan Asia-Pacific Ban planned from 1 January 2025. [251]
Ban  Tanzania Africa Since June 2019. [252][253]
Ban  Thailand Asia-Pacific Since 2021. [254][255]
Ban  Togo Africa Since July 2018. [256][61]
Ban  Tunisia Africa Since March 2017. [257]
Charge  Turkey Western Europe and Others Also a ban in some regions. Turkish-controlled Northern Cyprus also applies a charge. [258][259][260]
Ban  Turks and Caicos N/A Since January 2019. [261]
Ban  Tuvalu Asia-Pacific Since August 2019. [262]
Ban  Uganda Africa Since September 2007. [263]
Ban  Ukraine Eastern Europe Since 10 December 2021. [264][265]
Ban  United Arab Emirates Asia-Pacific Since 1 January 2024. [266]
Charge  United Kingdom Western Europe and Others  England: 5p levy introduced in 2015. Raised to 10p in 2021. [267][268]
 Northern Ireland: 5p levy since 2013. Raised to 25p in 2022. [269][270]
 Scotland: 5p charge since 2014. Raised to 10p in 2021. [271][272]
 Wales: 5p charge since 2011. Ban proposed. [273][274]
Regional bans and charges  United States Western Europe and Others Banned in twelve states (one de facto) and five territories. Charge in Washington, DC. Bans and charges in several municipalities. See main article
Ban  Uruguay South America Since July 2019. [275]
Charge  Uzbekistan Asia-Pacific Since 2019. [276]
Ban  Vanuatu Asia-Pacific Since 31 January 2018. [277]
Ban  Vatican City Western Europe and Others Since 2019. [278]
 Vietnam Asia-Pacific Ban planned for 2025. [279]
Ban  Yemen Asia-Pacific [33]
 Zambia Africa Ban announced but not implemented. [89]
Ban  Zimbabwe Africa [33]

Africa

[edit]
Plastic waste in Karey Gorou, Niger

Kenya

[edit]

Kenya made the first attempt to ban the manufacturing and importation of plastic bags in 2007 and 2011 as a way to protect the environment.[280] The 2007 and 2011 ban targeting plastics below 30 microns failed after manufacturers and retail outlets threatened to pass on the cost of using other materials to consumers.[281] In 2017 the cabinet secretary of Environment and Natural resources, Prof Judi Wakhungu banned the use, manufacture and importation of all plastic bags used for commercial and household packaging under Gazette notice number 2356.[282] On 28 August 2017, Kenya began implementing a countrywide ban of single-use plastic bags. Primary packaging bags, hospital waste bags, and garbage bin liners have been exempted from the ban. The ban has been hailed as one of the most stringent in the world, with fines of up to $40000, or four years in prison.[154]

President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2019, during World Environment Day, further solidified Kenya's efforts to fight plastic pollution and in the sustainable management of waste by banning single-use plastics in protected natural areas.[283] The ban, which came into effect on 5 June 2020, prohibits the use of plastics in National Parks, beaches, forests and conservation areas.

Nigeria

[edit]

In May 2019, The House of Representatives of Nigeria banned the production, import and usage of plastic bags in the country.[61][196]

Rwanda

[edit]

Rwanda's plastic bag ban went into effect in 2008. The Rwandan government has encouraged other countries in their region to ban plastic bags as well, starting in 2011.[284]

Somalia

[edit]

Plastic bags were banned in the self-declared Republic of Somaliland on 1 March 2005 after a 120-day grace period that the government had given to the public to get rid of their stocks. The Ministry of Trade and Industries announced the cabinet decision in a decree titled: "Banning importation, production and use of plastic bags in the country". The bags had been nicknamed "the Hargeysa flower", as many of them ended up being blown around and getting stuck in trees and shrubs, posing a danger to livestock because the animals that feed on the leaves often ingest the bags accidentally. In 2015 the ban was repeated by Presidential Decree No. #JSL/M/XERM/249-3178/042015, again providing for a 120 days grace period to get rid of stocks. To ensure the implementation of the ban, the government constituted enforcement teams in 2016 to conduct special drives which launch probes into business stalls. At least 1000 men and women in uniform deployed into the main markets and shopping malls. The government announced fines against violators who continue selling plastic bags in the country.[233][234][235][236][237]

South Africa

[edit]

Plastic bags were a major concern in South Africa before the bag levy was introduced in 2004. The bags were never banned, but a levy was introduced, payable by the plastic bag manufacturer. The thicker plastic bags are levied and although this move initially caused outrage with consumers and an initial decline in volumes, consumers use has continually increased to several billion plastic shopping bags every year.[238][239]

Tanzania

[edit]

The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar banned plastic bags in 2005.[285] Tanzania introduced plans to implement a nationwide ban on plastic bags in 2006.[286] However, its ratification had been delayed for more than ten years.[287] The ban finally came into effect on 1 June 2019.[253]

Tunisia

[edit]

Tunisia introduced a ban on plastic bag distribution in supermarkets starting from 1 March 2017. An agreement was signed between the Ministry of Local Affairs and Environment and large supermarket chains in the country to enact the first phase of a process aiming to reduce the consumption of plastic bags.[257] Tunisian activists are planning awareness campaigns to establish greener policies in the country.[288]

Uganda

[edit]
Heap of trash including plastic bags in Kampala, Uganda

Uganda introduced legislation in 2007 to ban the sale of lightweight plastic bags under 30 μm thick and tax thicker bags at a punitive rate of 120%. Although the laws came into effect in September of that year,[263] they have not been enforced and have failed to measurably reduce the use of plastic bags.[289] The law is not well enforced.[290]

Asia

[edit]

Bangladesh

[edit]

A strict ban was introduced in Bangladesh in 2002 after floods caused by littered plastic bags submerged two-thirds of the country in water between 1988 and 1998.[53] Plastic bags remain a big problem for sewerage system and waterways.

Cambodia

[edit]

Cambodia passed legislation to impose a plastic bag tax in October 2017. Supermarkets now charge customers 400 Riels (10 US cents) per plastic bag should they need one.[71]

China

[edit]

A total plastic bag ban on ultra thin plastic bags and a fee on plastic bags was introduced in China on 1 June 2008. This came into effect because of the problems with sewerage and general waste. One 2009 survey suggests that plastic bag use fell between 60 and 80% in Chinese supermarkets, and 40 billion fewer bags were used. However, first hand accounts clearly indicate, the ban has seen limited success, and that the use of plastic bags remains prevalent. Street vendors and smaller stores, which make up a significant portion of retail in China, do not abide by the policy in part due to difficulties of enforcing the ban.[78]

The term "white pollution" (Chinese: 白色污染; pinyin: baise wuran, less often "white garbage" Chinese: 白色垃圾; pinyin: baise laji) appears to be local to China and later to South Asia, enjoying far less use and recognition outside of the region. It refers to the color of white plastic shopping bags, styrofoam containers, and other light-colored materials that began turning up in visible volume in agricultural fields, the landscape, and waterways in the mid- to late 1990's. The first references to the term "white pollution" appear in official language at least as early as 1999, when the first bans were imposed by the State Council.[291][292][293][294][295]

Hong Kong
[edit]

Hong Kong forbids retailers from giving plastic bags under a certain thickness and for free.[5] A 50 cent plastic bag levy was implemented on 1 April 2015 across Hong Kong. The use of plastic bags dropped 90% after the introduction of the levy.[79] Signs show that Hong Kong is phasing out the use of plastic bags at a dramatic rate.

A sign proclaiming that polythene bags thinner than 30 μm are prohibited in Kasaragod, Kerala, India.

India

[edit]

In 2002, India banned the production of plastic bags below 20 μm in thickness to prevent plastic bags from clogging of the municipal drainage systems and to prevent the cows of India ingesting plastic bags as they confuse it for food.[5][133] However, enforcement remains a problem.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has also passed regulation to ban all polythene bags less than 50 microns on 18 March 2016.[296] Due to poor implementation of this regulation, regional authorities (states and municipal corporations), have had to implement their own regulation.

In 2016, Sikkim, India's first fully organic state,[297] banned the use of not only packaged drinking water bottles in any government meetings or functions but also food containers made from polystyrene foam all over the state.[298]

Himachal Pradesh was the first state to ban plastic bags less than 30 μm. The Karnataka state became first state to ban all forms of plastic carry bags, plastic banners, plastic buntings, flex, plastic flags, plastic plates, plastic cups, plastic spoons, cling films and plastic sheets for spreading on dining tables irrespective of thickness including the above items made of thermacol and plastic which uses plastic micro beads.[299][300] The state of Goa has banned bags up to 40 μm thick,[301] while the city of Mumbai bans bags below a minimum thickness to 50 μm.[302]

The state Government of Maharashtra banned plastic starting 23 June 2018.[303] The state Government of Tamil Nadu also banned plastic starting 1 January 2019.[304]

Indonesia

[edit]

From 2016, the Environment Ministry obliged retailers in 23 cities across the archipelago (mini-markets, hypermarkets, and supermarkets) to charge consumers between Rp.200 and Rp.5,000 for each plastic bag, including degradable plastic bags. Money raised by the tax are used as public funds for waste management alongside non-governmental organizations.[134]

The island of Bali banned single-use plastic bags, straws, and styrofoam, effective July 2019.[305] Other major cities, including Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung, Semarang and Bogor, have since also banned single use plastic bags.[306]

Israel

[edit]

Since January 2017, large retailers are required to charge consumers for plastic bags with handles, at NIS 0.10 for each bag. The tax revenues will be used to fund public waste-management programs.[citation needed] The average use of plastic bags in Israel in 2014 was 275 per person per year.[144] Four months after the law came into force, the number of disposable plastic bags distributed by retailers subject to the law had dropped by 80%.[307]

Philippines

[edit]

The Philippines is the world's third-largest ocean polluter despite a waste management act which came into effect 18 years ago. Efforts to regulate plastics have been hampered by corruption, lack of political will, and the proliferation and wide accessibility of single-use plastic products.[308]

In 2010, Muntinlupa became the first local government in the National Capital Region to ban plastic bags and styrofoam in shops.[309] This was followed by the measures in the cities of Las Piñas (2 January 2012), Pasig (1 January 2012), Quezon City (1 September 2012, bags for a fee), Pasay (1 September 2012, bags for a fee), Makati (30 June 2013), and Paranaque (June 2021).[310][311]

Metro Manila cities that have delayed imposing regulations and bans include Taguig, Caloocan, Malabon, Valenzuela, Navotas and San Juan, which are home to hundreds of plastics and rubber manufacturing companies. In one city, a mayor's family owns a 60-hectare "Plastic City Industrial" compound.[215]

On 4 July 2019, Senator Francis Pangilinan filed a bill seeking to phase out single-use plastic products by prohibiting importation, manufacture and use in food establishments, stores, markets, and retailers.[312][313]

Singapore

[edit]

Large supermarkets in Singapore are required to charge a disposable carrier bag tax of at least 5 cents per bag, since 3 July 2023.[314][315]

Taiwan

[edit]

In January 2003, Taiwan banned the free distribution of lightweight plastic bags.[83] The ban prevented the owners of department stores, shopping malls, hypermarkets, convenience stores, fast food restaurants and regular restaurants from providing free plastic bags to their customers. Many stores have replaced plastic with recycled paper boxes.[316] In 2006, however, the administration decided to begin allowing free plastic bags to be offered by food service operators.[317] In February 2018, Taiwan announced plans to ban plastic bags in varying degrees, banned for in-store use by 2019, certain stores prohibited from offering bags by 2020, price increases starting 2025, then 2030 blanket ban of single-use plastic bags, as well as single-use utensils and containers.[84][85][86]

Thailand

[edit]

Thailand banned all free single-use plastics in 2020, including plastic bags.[318]

Europe

[edit]

European Union

[edit]

In November 2013, the European Commission published a proposal aiming to reduce the consumption of lightweight (thickness below 50 microns) plastic carrier bags.[319] Under the proposal, EU member states can choose the most appropriate measures to discourage the use of plastic bags.

On 29 April 2015 the European Parliament passed Directive 2015/720, aiming to reduce plastic bag use by 50% by 2017 and 80% by 2019.[320][321][needs update]

Denmark

[edit]

In 2003, Denmark introduced a tax on retailers giving out plastic bags. This encouraged stores to charge for plastic bags and pushed the use of reusable bags. It was thought that this saved about 66% of plastic and paper bags.[322] In 2004, a similar law was passed by the Inatsisartut in Greenland, which applied a recycling tax on plastic bags.[101] By 2014 Denmark had the lowest plastic bag use in Europe, with 4 bags per person per year, compared to 466 in Portugal, Poland and Slovakia.[323]

Germany

[edit]

The German Packaging Act was introduced on 1 January 2019, limiting the number of disposable plastic bags used for packaging. Companies planning to use these materials are now required to register with the government before distributing their products. If they do not comply, they can be fined up to 200,000 and banned from selling their products.[324] The amendment also established recycling quotas that markets must meet to avoid being fined. In 2019, 36% of plastic bags used for packaging were required to be recycled, but this percentage was increased to 63% in 2022.[325] An amendment to the Packaging Act was introduced on 9 February 2021, banning all single-use plastic, including shopping bags, from 1 January 2022.[326]

Greece

[edit]

Prior to the introduction of a charge on plastic bags, Greece produced roughly 4 billion single-use plastic bags every year.[327] Though the average person in Greece disposed of over 300 plastic bags annually, only 10% of these were recycled.[328] A plastic bag charge was introduced on 1 January 2018,[123] initially of 4 cents per bag, then increased to 7 cents on 1 January 2019.[329] Greece passed further legislation to discourage use of single-use plastics on 1 July 2021, including a ban on merchants from ordering and selling single-use plastic bags and serviceware.[330]

Ireland

[edit]

Ireland introduced a €0.15 tax in March 2002. Levied on consumers at the point of sale, this led to 90% of consumers using long-life bags within a year. This tax geared to change the behavior of consumers while still allowing them to choose if they want to pay an extra fee for plastic bags.[140] The tax was increased to €0.22 in 2007. The revenue is put into an Environment Fund, which is to be used for environmental projects; this is a major reason that consumers support this tax.[139][140] A study was done to look at how consumers responded to the tax at checkout and 60% were neutral over the cost while 14% of respondent were "positive" to the extra charge and 26% responded negatively.[140]

Moldova

[edit]

The Moldovan parliament passed legislation gradually beginning the phase-out of plastic bags from January 2019, with a full ban coming into force from 1 January 2021.[176]

Netherlands

[edit]

The Netherlands implemented a comprehensive ban on free plastic shopping bags on 1 January 2016. The ban has a small number of exemptions for unpacked food products which are exposed to possible contamination, such as fresh fruit. The target price for a plastic bag is €0.25.[187]

Poland

[edit]

A plastic recycling levy was introduced on 1 January 2018. Single-use plastic bags cost a minimum of 0.25 (inclusive of VAT), however stores are able to charge a higher amount.[217] The Polish government estimated that the levy would bring 1.1 billion złoty to the state budget in 2018, in addition to approx. 250 million złoty of VAT revenue raised on sales of the bags.[331]

Portugal

[edit]

Portugal has implemented a plastic bag tax amounting to 10 cents (€) on single-use carrier bags, which led to a reduction of 90% in their use.[218] However, many retailers started selling thicker (reusable) plastic bags, which are not subject to the tax, for the same amount. Before the Portuguese government implemented this plastic bag tax, some supermarkets in Portugal had already implemented a 2 cent (€) fee on each plastic bag.[332] In Madeira Island where supermarkets implemented this bag fee, there was a 64% reduction in plastic bag consumption.[332]

Romania

[edit]

A law was introduced in 2006 (law 578/2006) – and was later modified in 2011 (law 1032/2011) – that put a mandatory tax on non-biodegradable plastic bags. A modification in 2011 reduced the tax on plastic bags and was regarded by some as a step backwards from environmental protection.[333] Lightweight plastic bags were banned on 1 January 2019.[100]

Serbia

[edit]

Serbia has a tax on manufacturers and importers of plastic bags[227] and plans to introduce a ban on lightweight plastic bags and a charge on biodegradable bags in order to reduce bag use to under 90 per person by 2019.[334] Major supermarkets began charging 2 dinars per bag in 2018.[335]

Spain

[edit]

Spain introduced a plastic bag charge on 1 July 2018.[242] Catalonia has had a bag charge since April 2017.[100][336]

Switzerland

[edit]

In 2016, the two largest chains of supermarkets in Switzerland, the Federation of Migros Cooperatives and Coop, announced that they will progressively stop to distribute free plastic bags (at the check-out).[247] Both distributors announced that they will not make money with paid bags, but that profits from their sale will be invested in environmental projects.[249]

Migros previously tested the measure in the canton of Vaud since 2013: they reduced the number of plastic bags distributed by ninety percent (and saved 100,000 francs per year).[247][248] Migros will be the first to introduce the measure across the country, on 1 November 2016 (the bags will be made with recycled plastic and cost 0.05 Swiss francs each).[247][248] Coop plans to introduce this in 2017.[249]

United Kingdom

[edit]

The Climate Change Act 2008 served as the legislative framework for the regulation of plastic bags in the United Kingdom.[337]

In May 2021 it was announced that the charge for single-use plastic bags in the United Kingdom would double from 5p to 10p from 21 May 2021.[338]

In July 2022, it was reported that plastic bag usage among the main retailers in the UK had declined 97% since 2014, with a great share of the decline occurring after the 5p charge was introduced in 2015.[339][340]

Wales
[edit]

Wales introduced a legal minimum charge of 5 pence for almost all single use bags in October 2011. Paper and biodegradable bags are included in the charge as well as plastic bags, with only a few specific exemptions – such as for unpackaged food or medicine supplied on an NHS prescription. VAT raised from the charge is collected by the government. Retailers are asked to pass the rest of the proceeds on to charities.[273] July 2012 statistics released by the Welsh Government suggested that carrier bag use in Wales had reduced 96% since the introduction of the charge.[341]

Northern Ireland
[edit]

Northern Ireland introduced a 5 pence levy on almost all single use bags on 8 April 2013. The levy was extended to reusable carrier bags with a retail price of less than 20 pence from 19 January 2014[269] as data from a number of retailers indicated that reusable bag sales had increased by 800% since the introduction of the levy on single use bags. The proceeds of the levy (£4.17m in 2013/14) are paid to the Department of the Environment and used to fund local environmental projects and enforce the levy. Official statistics for the Northern Ireland levy show that the number of single use bags dispensed fell from around 300 million in 2012/13 to 84.5 million in 2013/14 – a reduction of 72%.[342]

Scotland
[edit]

A five pence minimum charge for single-use carrier bags came into force in Scotland on 20 October 2014. This was enacted as a statutory instrument under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, rather than a UK wide act.[343] The proceeds of the charge can be used by the retailers as they see fit,[271] although retailers are encouraged to pledge to donate proceeds to "good causes".[344] The charge is not exclusive to plastic bags, and includes biodegradable bags, such as paper.[271] Bags for unpackaged food, loose seeds, soil-contaminated goods, axes, knives or blades; drugs or medical appliances; small packaged uncooked fish, meat or poultry; aquatic animals; purchases made in aerodrome security restricted areas; or goods bought on board a ship, train, aircraft, coach or bus are exempt from the charge.[345]

England
[edit]

England was the last country in the United Kingdom to adopt the 5 pence charge,[267] with the levy taking effect on 5 October 2015.[346] Prior to the introduction of plastic bag regulations, various retailers participated in voluntary actions to reduce plastic bag consumption.[347]

Unlike the rest of the UK, the English charge does not apply to paper bags or bags made from other natural materials. As with the other nations, VAT raised on sales will be collected by the Government. Retailers can choose how the money raised from bag sales is used. The Government publishes information yearly on the scheme, encouraging retailers to donate the proceeds to charities.[348][349]

In the first 6 months, 640 million plastic bags were used in seven major supermarkets in England, raising £29.2 million for good causes.[350] England reported to have distributed 0.6 billion single-use bags during the first half year of the charge,[351] 7 billion fewer than were distributed in 2014.[352] A longitudinal evaluation of the English Plastic Bag Charge found that the charge had a positive effect upon all demographic groups, with a reduction in single-use plastic bags found among all income groups, all age groups, and both men and women.[353] In addition, the study found that public support for the plastic bag charge increased just one month after it was introduced, and people who increased their support for the bag charge were also more likely to increase their support for other policies aimed at reducing plastic waste, suggesting a 'spillover' effect for policy support.[353]

Retailers with fewer than 250 employees were initially exempt from the charge.[337] Opponents of this exemption argued that it would reduce the environmental impact of the charge.[354] In response to this criticism, in the UK government announced plans to extend the charge to all retailers and double it to 10p, which was expected to come into effect in April 2021.[355] The 10p plastic bag charge went into effect for all businesses in England on 21 May 2021.[339]

North America

[edit]

The Bahamas

[edit]

The Bahamian government banned single-use plastics (including light-weight plastic bags) in 2020, following a campaign by the Bahamas Plastic Movement (BPM), an environmental non-profit organization, which used citizen science-based research, public education and youth campaigns to lobby the government.[356]

Canada

[edit]

In March 2007, the small town of Leaf Rapids, Manitoba, became the first community in North America to ban bags.[357]

The Toronto City Council voted on 6 June 2012, to ban plastic bags effective 1 January 2013, and to scrap the city's five-cent bag fee starting 1 July 2012.[358] Industry groups have convinced city officials to include a grace period between 1 January 2013, and 30 June 2013, when no fines, only warnings, can be issued.[359] The bag ban and five cent fee (six cents with HST) have both been overturned as of 28 November 2012 and it's up to individual retailers if they want to charge for plastic bags.[360] Most stores, with the exception of a few national retailers do not charge.

The Canadian government planned to ban single-use plastics in 2021, including plastic straws, cotton swabs, stirrers, plates, cutlery, and balloon sticks.[361] Implementation of the ban was postponed to 20 December 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[362][73]

Local laws governing plastic bag use in Canada
Province/Territory Municipality Passage date Effective date Effect
Alberta Alberta Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo 10 April 2010 10 September 2010 Single-use plastic shopping bag ban. Reusable bags must be at least 2.25 mils.[363]
British Columbia British Columbia Victoria 17 December 2017 1 July 2018 Single-use plastic shopping bag ban.[364]
Manitoba Manitoba
Leaf Rapids 22 March 2007 2 April 2007 Single-use plastic shopping bag ban.[365]
Thompson 27 September 2010 31 December 2010 Single-use polyethylene bag ban. Reusable bags must be 2.25 mils thick.[366]
New Brunswick New Brunswick
Dieppe 10 June 2019 1 October 2020 Single-use plastic shopping bag ban.[367][368]
Moncton 1 October 2020 Single-use plastic shopping bag ban.[367][368]
Riverview 10 June 2019 1 October 2020 Single-use plastic shopping bag ban.[367][368]
Newfoundland and Labrador Newfoundland and Labrador Province-wide 9 April 2019 1 October 2020 Single-use plastic shopping bag ban.[369][370]
Northwest Territories Northwest Territories Territory-wide 1 February 2011 Single-use plastic shopping bag charge of 25c.[371]
Nova Scotia Nova Scotia Province-wide 30 October 2019 30 October 2020 Single-use plastic shopping bag ban.[372]
Nunavut Nunavut Baker Lake 3 June 2021 3 June 2021 Single-use plastic shopping bag ban.[373]
Prince Edward Island Prince Edward Island Province-wide July 2019 Single-use plastic shopping bag ban.[374]
Quebec Quebec
Brossard 16 February 2016 1 September 2016 Single-use plastic bag ban (including compostable)[375][376]
Deux-Montagnes 2009 Plastic bag ban[377]
Huntingdon 2008 Plastic bag ban including bags used for newspapers and flyers[377]
Montreal 23 August 2016 1 January 2018 Ban of plastic bags including biodegradable. Reusable bags must be at least 50 microns thickness.[378]
Saskatchewan Saskatchewan Regina 31 May 2020 1 February 2022 Single-use plastic shopping bag ban effective following COVID-19 pandemic.[379]
Yukon Yukon
Province-wide 1 January 2022 Single-use plastic shopping bag ban.[380]
Carmacks 1 August 2019 Single-use plastic shopping bag ban.[381]

Guatemala

[edit]

A few municipalities in Guatemala have banned plastic bags, including San Pedro La Laguna, Acatenango, Villa Canales, San Miguel Petapa and Totonicapán.[382][383][384][385][386]

Jamaica

[edit]

On 17 September 2018, the Jamaican Cabinet announced a total ban on the importation, manufacture, distribution and use of single-use plastic bags, effective 1 January 2019.[147] The policy came in response to problems of improper disposal leading to drain clogging and expensive clean-up efforts.[387] They phased single use plastic bags in waves, the most recent of which took effect 1 January 2021.[388]

Mexico

[edit]

Plastic bags are banned in the following states: Baja California, Mexico City, Colima, Durango, Hidalgo, Michoacán, Morelos, Nayarit, Nuevo León, Oaxaca, Querétaro, Quintana Roo, Sonora, Tabasco, Veracruz, Yucatán and Zacatecas.[170]

Panama

[edit]

Panama's Assembly has passed legislation banning plastic bags.[389] The law was passed in 2018 and came into force on 20 July 2019, while wholesalers had until January 2020 to phase out their existing stock.[207]

United States

[edit]
Phase out of lightweight plastic bags in the United States (laws in GU, ME, NY, VT passed but not in effect yet not shown on map)
  Plastic bags banned
  A charge on some plastic bags
  Partial charge or ban (county or municipality level)

There is no national plastic bag fee or ban currently in effect in the United States. However, the states of California,[390] Connecticut (July 2021), Delaware (2021), Hawaii (de facto), Maine (January 2021),[391] New Jersey (May 2022),[392] New York,[393] Oregon, Vermont (July 2020)[394] and Washington (2021)[395] and the territories of American Samoa, Guam (2021), Northern Mariana Islands, US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico[396] have banned disposable bags. By September 2018, about 350 counties and municipalities had enacted ordinances either imposing a fee on plastic bags or banning them outright,[397] including all counties in Hawaii.[398] Other attempts at banning plastic shopping bags statewide (for example in Massachusetts, though as of August 2019, 122 cities and towns in the state have done so)[399][400]) have not succeeded mainly due to plastic industry lobbying.[401] A few jurisdictions have chosen to implement a fee-only approach to bag reduction such as Connecticut, Washington, D.C. and adjacent Montgomery County, Maryland.[402] Some US states, such as Florida and Arizona, have passed laws preventing local municipalities from passing their own bans.[403]

The California Senate passed Senate Bill 270 in 2014 that banned the free single-use plastic bags available at grocery stores. This ban specified that plastic bags available at grocery stores must be 2.25 millimeters thick, contain at least 40% recycled materials, and be recyclable within California.[404] This bill was passed with timeframes for progressively tighter restrictions. Violations are punishable by fines.[404][405] In September 2024, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill banning all plastic bags statewide from 2026.[406]

Oceania

[edit]

Australia

[edit]

Although there is no nationwide ban on lightweight bags, they are banned in all states and territories.[46] Coles Bay, Tasmania was the first location in Australia to ban lightweight plastic bags.[407] The introduction of the "Zero Waste" program in South Australia led to its lightweight bag ban in October 2008. It is estimated that 400 million bags are saved each year.[408] Western Australia and Queensland banned them in July 2018 and Victoria introduced a ban in November 2019.[40][41][42] Bans in the Australian Capital Territory, South Australia, Northern Territory, Tasmania allow lightweight bags that are biodegradable.[409]

In Australia, 6 billion HDPE bags were used in 2002.[3] Usage reduced to 5.6 billion in 2004,[4] and 3.9 billion in 2007.[3]

After the two biggest supermarket chains in Australia banned single-use plastic grocery bags, the consumption of plastic bags in Australia dropped by 80% in three months.[410]

New Zealand

[edit]

In 2018, the Labour government pledged to phase out single-use plastic bags within a year's time. New Zealand is one of the highest producers of urban waste in the developed world, per capita, according to OECD data. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Associate Environment Minister Eugenie Sage made the announcement on 10 August 2018.[411] On 18 December 2018, the Labour Government announced that all plastic shopping bags, including biodegradable, compostable, and oxy-gradable bags, that have handles with a thickness of less than 70 microns, will be banned from 1 July 2019.[193] Retailers who do not comply could face fines of up to NZD$100,000 (£51,000).[412]

Since 1 October 2022, PVC food trays, polystyrene takeaway and drink packaging, expanded polystyrene food and drink packaging, plastic with pro-degradent additives, plastic drink stirrers and plastic stemmed cotton buds have been banned. On 1 July 2023, plastic produce bags; plastic plates, bowls and cutlery; plastic straws (except for medical reasons) and plastic produce labels were banned.[413]

South America

[edit]

Argentina

[edit]

In 2012, the Buenos Aires city government allowed supermarkets to charge for plastic bags in order to discourage their use, which is said to have reduced their use by 50%.[414] In 2016 the city announced a full ban on the distribution of plastic bags in supermarkets and hypermarkets, commencing 1 January 2017.[415][416]

In 2009 the Governor of Buenos Aires Province, Daniel Scioli, approved Law 13868,[417] which mandated that by the end of that year, all non-biodegradable plastic bags should be phased out in favour of degradable materials.[418][419]

Other provinces like Neuquén, Chubut, Río Negro and cities like Rosario, Villa Gesell or Bariloche had already banned the distribution of plastic bags in supermarkets as well.[38]

Chile

[edit]

In May 2018, the House of Representatives voted for a gradual phaseout of plastic bags from retailers nationwide.[420][421][422][423] In August 2018, the legislation was approved by Congress and the President,[424] making Chile the first Latin American country to ban plastic bags. Beginning on 3 August 2018, each purchase could be accompanied by no more than two plastic bags. Under the legislation, six months later, supermarkets and large retail businesses were not permitted to provide plastic bags at all, and on 3 August 2020 the total ban also began to apply to small businesses. Environment minister Carolina Schmidt said it is believed that the law eliminated the use of billions of plastic bags.[425]

Before the nationwide ban, similar rules existed regionally. As of 2017, some 80 municipalities already restricted plastic bag distribution, while some coastal and lakeside areas had banned plastic bags altogether.[426]

Colombia

[edit]

As of 2015, Colombia planned to reduce the use of plastic bags by 80% by the year 2020 and to eliminate their use by the year 2025.[427] On 29 April 2016, the Ministry of Environment passed a resolution banning plastic bags under 30 cm by 30 cm.[428]

From 1 July 2017, the Colombian Government applies a tax of 20 pesos per plastic bag, with a planned annual increase of 10 pesos per bag until 2020.[87]

A challenge has been the single-use plastic that accompanies grocery and restaurant delivery; these services were in high demand during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.[429]

Uruguay

[edit]

In 2018, the Uruguayan Parliament approved the law No19655[275] that banned the production, importation and commercialization of all non-biodegradable single-use plastic bags throughout the country. Since 1 July 2019 only biodegradable bags are allowed for commercial use, with a tax of 4 pesos per bag. According to government agencies, just days after the law was approved, the use of plastic bags dropped by 80%, marking a huge success for the regulation.[430]

See also

[edit]

Notes and references

[edit]

Footnotes

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Schnurr, Riley E.J.; Alboiu, Vanessa; Chaudhary, Meenakshi; Corbett, Roan A.; Quanz, Meaghan E.; Sankar, Karthikeshwar; Srain, Harveer S.; Thavarajah, Venukasan; Xanthos, Dirk; Walker, Tony R. (2018). "Reducing marine pollution from single-use plastics (SUPs): A review". Marine Pollution Bulletin. 137: 157–171. Bibcode:2018MarPB.137..157S. doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.10.001. PMID 30503422. S2CID 54522420.
  2. ^ a b Xanthos, Dirk; Walker, Tony R. (2017). "International policies to reduce plastic marine pollution from single-use plastics (plastic bags and microbeads): A review". Marine Pollution Bulletin. 118 (1–2): 17–26. Bibcode:2017MarPB.118...17X. doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.02.048. PMID 28238328.
  3. ^ a b c d "Plastic bags". Australian Government. 5 November 2009. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  4. ^ a b "Plastic Bag Fact Sheet" (PDF). Sustainability Victoria. 9 November 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 September 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  5. ^ a b c d Kogoy, D (8 November 2010). "Plastic bag reduction around the world" (PDF). Marrickville Council.
  6. ^ Onyanga-Omara, Jane (14 September 2013). "Plastic bag backlash gains momentum". BBC News.
  7. ^ a b c d e Nielsen, Tobias Dan; Holmberg, Karl; Stripple, Johannes (March 2019). "Need a bag? A review of public policies on plastic carrier bags – Where, how and to what effect?". Waste Management. 87: 428–440. Bibcode:2019WaMan..87..428N. doi:10.1016/j.wasman.2019.02.025. hdl:10654/44108. PMID 31109543. S2CID 104472741.
  8. ^ Ghaffar, Imania; Rashid, Muhammad; Akmal, Muhammad; Hussain, Ali (August 2022). "Plastics in the environment as potential threat to life: an overview". Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 29 (38): 56928–56947. Bibcode:2022ESPR...2956928G. doi:10.1007/s11356-022-21542-x. ISSN 0944-1344. PMID 35713833. S2CID 249713887.
  9. ^ "Our planet is drowning in plastic pollution. This World Environment Day, it's time for a change". www.unenvironment.org. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  10. ^ Karl, David M.; Wilson, Samuel T.; Ferrón, Sara; Royer, Sarah-Jeanne (1 August 2018). "Production of methane and ethylene from plastic in the environment". PLOS ONE. 13 (8): e0200574. Bibcode:2018PLoSO..1300574R. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0200574. ISSN 1932-6203. PMC 6070199. PMID 30067755.  This article incorporates text from this source, which is available under the CC BY 4.0 license.
  11. ^ Marine litter – trash that kills (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  12. ^ a b "Plastic Waste and Wildlife". Plastic Waste Solutions. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  13. ^ "Plastic in our oceans is killing marine mammals". www.wwf.org.au. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  14. ^ "Getting+Friendly+Environment"+"The+Dell+Challenge"&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8 "Getting Friendly Environment". The Dell Challenge. Retrieved 28 January 2014.
  15. ^ Watts, Jonathan (27 February 2008). "China's biggest plastic bag maker closes after ban". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  16. ^ Kiener, Robert (1 July 2010). "Plastic Pollution". CQ Global Researcher: 157–184.
  17. ^ "The lifecycle of plastics". www.wwf.org.au. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  18. ^ "Facts". Garbage Patch – The Great Pacific Garbage Patch and other pollution issues. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  19. ^ Garces, Diego. "A staggering amount of waste – much of which has only existed for the past 60 years or so – enters the oceans each year". World Wildlife Fund. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  20. ^ a b c d e Skumatz, Lisa; D'Souza, Dana (November 2016). "Bag ban basics". Plastics Recycling Update. 35 (11): 16–19.
  21. ^ a b c "Momentum for Plastic Bag Bans Spreading; Recycling Programs Earn Mixed Reviews". Solid Waste Report. 45 (8): 5–6. 25 April 2014.
  22. ^ Homonoff, Tatiana A. (1 November 2018). "Can Small Incentives Have Large Effects? The Impact of Taxes versus Bonuses on Disposable Bag Use". American Economic Journal: Economic Policy. 10 (4): 177–210. doi:10.1257/pol.20150261.
  23. ^ a b Taylor, Rebecca L.C. (January 2019). "Bag leakage: The effect of disposable carryout bag regulations on unregulated bags". Journal of Environmental Economics and Management. 93: 254–271. Bibcode:2019JEEM...93..254T. doi:10.1016/j.jeem.2019.01.001. S2CID 157950286.
  24. ^ a b Homonoff, Tatiana; Kao, Lee-Sien; Selman, Javiera; Seybolt, Christina (February 2021). "Skipping the Bag: The Intended and Unintended Consequences of Disposable Bag Regulation" (PDF). Cambridge, MA: w28499. doi:10.3386/w28499. S2CID 214720395. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  25. ^ Nielsen, Tobias Dan; Holmberg, Karl; Stripple, Johannes (March 2019). "Need a bag? A review of public policies on plastic carrier bags – Where, how and to what effect?". Waste Management. 87: 428–440. Bibcode:2019WaMan..87..428N. doi:10.1016/j.wasman.2019.02.025. hdl:10654/44108. PMID 31109543. S2CID 104472741.
  26. ^ a b "Are Plastic Bag Bans Garbage?". NPR.org. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
  27. ^ a b c Taylor, Rebecca (4 January 2019). "Bag leakage: The effect of disposable carryout bag regulations on unregulated bags". Journal of Environmental Economics and Management. 93: 254–271. Bibcode:2019JEEM...93..254T. doi:10.1016/j.jeem.2019.01.001.
  28. ^ Rosalsky, Greg (9 April 2019). "Are Plastic Bag Bans Garbage?". NPR.org. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
  29. ^ "Plastic". 26 July 2024.
  30. ^ a b Roy, Jessica (24 August 2023). "California's plastic bag ban is failing. here's why". LA Times. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  31. ^ a b Thompson, Don (29 December 2022). "Thicker, reusable plastic bags in ca might not be recyclable". abc10. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  32. ^ a b Gollom, Mark (9 October 2020). "Why a plastic bag ban could lead to unintended environmental consequences". CBC News. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
  33. ^ a b c d e "Legal Limits on Single-Use Plastics and Microplastics" (PDF). United Nations. 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  34. ^ "Albania bans lightweight plastic bags". Emerging Europe. 31 July 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  35. ^ "Reducció del consum de les bosses de plàstic". mediambient.ad. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  36. ^ "Anguilla Joins Region's Governments Banning Plastic". The Anguillan. 26 November 2018.
  37. ^ "Antigua and Barbuda bans plastic bags". 12 July 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  38. ^ a b "Adiós a las bolsas del súper". Clarin. January 2017. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  39. ^ "Armenia to introduce environmental tax on plastic bags, looks to ban from 2022". Panorama.am. 23 February 2019. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  40. ^ a b "New laws that will affect Australia". January 2018. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  41. ^ a b "Plastic bag ban gets green light in Queensland". ABC News. 6 September 2017. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  42. ^ a b "Victoria set to ban plastic bags next year". Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  43. ^ "Council Adopts a Plastic Bag Policy for Norfolk Island". Norfolk Online. 20 October 2017. Archived from the original on 9 May 2023. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  44. ^ "Victoria moves to ban plastic bags". SBS. 19 June 2019.
  45. ^ Risso, Angelo (8 March 2020). "NSW set to ban single-use plastic bags". Seven News. Archived from the original on 13 June 2020. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  46. ^ a b "Single-use plastics banned under new law". NSW Government. 16 November 2021. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  47. ^ Slade, Lucy (17 April 2023). "Woolworths to phase out 15c plastic bags nationwide". Nine News. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  48. ^ "Coles to stop selling soft-plastic shopping bags by end of June". The Guardian. 10 May 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  49. ^ "Austria to ban most plastic bags starting in 2020". The Seattle Times. 5 December 2018. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
  50. ^ "Azerbaijan bans more plastic | Eurasianet". Eurasianet.
  51. ^ "Customer Complaints As Single Use Plastic Ban Comes Into Effect". The Tribune. 3 January 2020.
  52. ^ "Bahrain to ban plastic bags in July". Khaleej Times. 13 June 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  53. ^ a b Nicole Bogart (7 June 2012). "Top 5 places with plastic bag bans". Global News. Archived from the original on 14 April 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
  54. ^ "Jamaica Observer Limited". Jamaica Observer. Archived from the original on 6 August 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  55. ^ "Belarus joins garbage combating trend". TVR. 28 July 2019.
  56. ^ "Plastic bags law in Belgium". FF Packaging. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  57. ^ "Verbod plastic zakjes definitief van kracht". Bakkers Vlaanderen (in Dutch). 25 March 2019.
  58. ^ "Belize pledges to ban plastic forks, bags and other single-use items by 2019". 22 March 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  59. ^ a b c Clayton, C. Andrea; Walker, Tony R.; Bezerra, Joana Carlos; Adam, Issahaku (November 2020). "Policy responses to reduce single-use plastic marine pollution in the Caribbean". Marine Pollution Bulletin. 162: 111833. doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111833. PMID 33213855.
  60. ^ "Stop banning plastic bags, please". Bloomberg. 8 November 2017. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  61. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Adam, Issahaku; Walker, Tony R.; Bezerra, Joana Carlos; Clayton, Andrea (1 June 2020). "Policies to reduce single-use plastic marine pollution in West Africa". Marine Policy. 116: 103928. Bibcode:2020MarPo.11603928A. doi:10.1016/j.marpol.2020.103928. S2CID 216397079.
  62. ^ "Plastic ban still ineffective". BBS. 14 January 2013. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  63. ^ "La Paz, Bolivia BANS Plastic Bags!". Archived from the original on 9 May 2023. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  64. ^ "City of São Paulo, Brazil Launches Ban on Traditional Plastic Bags – The Global Grid". 6 May 2015. Archived from the original on 7 May 2023. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  65. ^ Soares, Eduardo (5 July 2018). "Brazil: State of Rio de Janeiro Bans Plastic Bags". Global Legal Monitor. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  66. ^ "Tackling Plastic Pollution – British Indian Ocean Territory". Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  67. ^ "Brunei aims to phase out plastic bags in supermarkets by 2019". The Scoop. 16 April 2018. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  68. ^ "Bulgaria's Environment Ministry Reports Substantial Reduction in Plastic Bag Use – Novinite.com – Sofia News Agency". Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  69. ^ "Burkina Faso endorses law on sustainable development and bans non-biodegradable plastic bags – UN Environment". unpei.org. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  70. ^ "Burundi brings forward plastic bag ban by six months". The East African. 14 August 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  71. ^ a b "Cambodia to charge customers for plastic bags". Channel News Asia. 19 October 2017. Archived from the original on 21 April 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  72. ^ "Cameroon: bagging it after the plastic ban". African Arguments. 30 November 2016.
  73. ^ a b Lee, Michael (20 December 2022). "Canada's single-use plastics ban takes effect. These are the products in phase 1". CTV News. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  74. ^ "Cabo Verde: ban on plastic bags – Partenariat Régional pour la conservation". prcmarine.org. Archived from the original on 27 November 2020. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  75. ^ "Centrafrique : les sacs plastiques en circulation malgré l'entrée en vigueur de la loi interdisant l'usage". 18 January 2022.
  76. ^ "Chad – Prohibited & Restricted Imports – export.gov". export.gov. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  77. ^ Concepción, Diario. "Comienza la aplicación de la nueva Ley de Bolsas Plásticas". Diario Concepción. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
  78. ^ a b Shi Jierui (10 July 2009). "China's bag ban, one year later". China Dialogue. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  79. ^ a b "Plastic bag ban abroad". China Network Television. 6 January 2011. Archived from the original on 11 April 2014. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  80. ^ "China: Single-Use Plastic Straw and Bag Ban Takes Effect". Library of Congress. 23 March 2021. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  81. ^ "Shops providing free plastic bags to customers will be fined in Macau". Macau Hub. 19 August 2019.
  82. ^ "China to cut single-use plastic reliance by 2025". Circular Online. 20 January 2020.
  83. ^ a b "Retail Bags Report – List of Retail Bag Policies – Asia". Department of Environmental Protection Florida. 11 March 2011. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  84. ^ a b "Taiwan to ban disposable plastic items by 2030". The Straits Times. AFP. 22 February 2018. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  85. ^ a b Everington, Keoni. "Taiwan EPA sets timeline for ban on plastic straws". Taiwan News. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  86. ^ a b McCarthy, Joe (22 February 2018). "Taiwan Announces Ban on All Plastic Bags, Straws, and Utensils". Global Citizen. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  87. ^ a b "Abecé de lo que tiene que saber sobre el impuesto a bolsas plásticas". ElTiempo.com. 30 June 2017.
  88. ^ "REPORT ON THE STATUS OF STYROFOAM AND PLASTIC BAG BANS IN THE WIDER CARIBBEAN REGION" (PDF). United Nations. 11 July 2019. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  89. ^ a b c d Bezerra, Joana Carlos; Walker, Tony Robert; Clayton, C Andrea; Adam, Issahaku (2021). "Single-use plastic bag policies in the Southern African development community". Environmental Challenges. 3: 100029. Bibcode:2021EnvCh...300029C. doi:10.1016/j.envc.2021.100029. S2CID 233530478.
  90. ^ a b "Cook Islands moves to ban single-use plastic". Radio New Zealand. 11 June 2019.
  91. ^ "Other Permits - LICENCE TO IMPORT BIODEGRADABLE PLASTIC BAGS". Cook Islands National Environment Service. Cook Islands National Environment Service. Archived from the original on 23 July 2024. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  92. ^ "By 2021 Costa Rica Will be the First Country to Eliminate Single-Use Plastics". The Costa Rica News. 27 July 2017.
  93. ^ "Costa Rica's Plastic Laws - ELAW: Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide".
  94. ^ Oldenburg, Silke (6 December 2018). "Living without plastic bags — the Democratic Republic of Congo is paving the way". Medium. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  95. ^ "Congo bans plastic bags to fight pollution". Reuters. 2 June 2011. Archived from the original on 6 September 2018. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  96. ^ "Plastic Bag Ban in Croatia from January 1, 2022: How Will It Look?". Total Croatia News. 30 April 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  97. ^ "Shops ignoring plastic bag ban – Cyprus Mail". 4 January 2018.
  98. ^ "Plastic bag ban to be implemented February 18". Cyprus Mail. 11 February 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  99. ^ "Czech Republic Bids Farewell to Free Plastic Bags in 2018". 18 December 2017. Archived from the original on 2 November 2019. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  100. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "ENOUGH EXCUSES: Time for Europe to act against plastic bag pollution" (PDF). Surfrider Foundation Europe.
  101. ^ a b "Saqqummersitat | Inatsisartut". Archived from the original on 6 June 2014. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
  102. ^ Gibbens, Sarah (8 August 2018). "This Island Nation Is Banning Plastic". National Geographic. Archived from the original on 9 May 2023. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  103. ^ Ray, Alex (23 May 2021). "Burning ambition: Timor-Leste's waste management problem".
  104. ^ "Chile becomes first South American country to ban commercial use of plastic bags". Tech2. 5 August 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  105. ^ Alarcón, Isabel (8 May 2020). "Impuesto a las bolsas plásticas se aplica desde este sábado 9 de mayo del 2020 en Ecuador" [Plastic Bag Tax Starts this Saturday, May 9, 2020 in Ecuador]. El Comercio (Ecuador) (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 30 June 2020. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  106. ^ "Red Sea Governorate bans plastics". 2 April 2019. Retrieved 8 April 2019.
  107. ^ "Equatorial Guinea publishes Financial Law 2020". Tax News. 11 February 2020. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  108. ^ "Retail Bags Report – List of Retail Bag Policies". Department of Environmental Protection Florida. 16 December 2008. Archived from the original on 27 December 2008.
  109. ^ "Greenpeace Africa Applauds Eswatini’s Bold Move to Ban Single-Use Plastic Carrier Bags". Greenpeace Africa.
  110. ^ "Ethiopia puts a squeeze on plastic bags". Xinhua News Agency. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  111. ^ "Fiji's plastic bag ban to come into effect on New Year's Day". Radio NZ. 31 December 2019.
  112. ^ a b "Ditching Plastic Bags: A Lesson from Africa – Zero Waste Europe". 3 July 2017. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  113. ^ Robert, Aline (19 November 2015). "France postpones plastic bag ban for six months". EurActiv.fr. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  114. ^ "St-Pierre-et-Miquelon: A taste of French freedom for N.L.ers". The Telegram. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  115. ^ "Protection de l'environnement : création de l'écotaxe et interdiction des sacs plastiques / 2017 / Articles archivés / Autres dossiers archivés / Publications / Accueil – Les services de l'État à Wallis et Futuna". wallis-et-futuna.pref.gouv.fr. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  116. ^ "Le gouvernement annonce une interdiction des sacs plastiques en 2019". Tahiti Infos, les informations de Tahiti. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  117. ^ "La Nouvelle-Calédonie interdit les plastiques jetables". Euractiv (in French). 3 January 2019. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  118. ^ "Gabon to ban plastic bags, introduces biodegradable bags". panapress.com. 10 July 2023.
  119. ^ "Gambia: The Ban On Plastic Bag Use". allafrica.com.
  120. ^ "Armenia Fails to Ban Plastic Bags. Taxing Them Could Generate $215 Million for the Government – Hetq – News, Articles, Investigations". 20 December 2017. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  121. ^ "de24.news". www.de24.news.
  122. ^ "New legislation bans most single use plastic bags and makes washing down dog urine a legal obligation". GBC. 17 September 2019.
  123. ^ a b "Free plastic shopping bags banned from start of new year – Kathimerini". Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  124. ^ "Grenada bans single use plastics". Travel Weekly. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  125. ^ "Guatemala to ban plastic bags, straws, cups beginning 2021". AP. 20 September 2019.
  126. ^ "Alderney agrees ban on single-use plastic bags". guernseypress.com. 15 March 2020. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  127. ^ Warlow, Alex (28 December 2018). "'UK has left us behind on plastic bag charge'". guernseypress.com. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  128. ^ "Guinea-Bissau: retail hits back at plastic bag ban – Trendtype". 17 April 2017. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  129. ^ "The Impending Ban on Single-use Plastic Products (SUPP)". Environmental Protection Agency Guyana. Archived from the original on 10 May 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  130. ^ Lall, Rashmee Roshan (15 August 2013). "Haiti police raid warehouses in plastics ban crackdown". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  131. ^ "Roatan Bans Plastic Bags and Straws!". Honduras Travel. 24 January 2019.
  132. ^ "Plastic Shopping Bags Banned in Iceland". Iceland Monitor. 5 January 2021. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  133. ^ a b "plastic pollution: cow eating a plastic bag, near the Ganges River, Allahabad, India, 2007". Britannica. Retrieved 17 December 2012.
  134. ^ a b Sujadi Siswo (21 February 2016). "Indonesia launches campaign to reduce use of plastic bags". Archived from the original on 25 April 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  135. ^ "Indonesia: Plastic bag ban in Bali to go into effect June 2019". GardaWorld. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
  136. ^ "Jakarta to ban single-use plastic bags by June". The Jakarta Post. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  137. ^ Washington, Jessica. "Indonesia: Jakarta bans single-use plastic bags". www.aljazeera.com.
  138. ^ https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/35970-KRG-bans-plastic-bags-in-food-establishments
  139. ^ a b Summers, Chris (19 March 2012). "What should be done about plastic bags?". BBC News. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
  140. ^ a b c d Convery, Frank; McDonnell, Simon; Ferreira, Susana (26 July 2007). "The most popular tax in Europe? Lessons from the Irish plastic bags levy". Environmental and Resource Economics. 38 (1): 1–11. Bibcode:2007EnREc..38....1C. doi:10.1007/s10640-006-9059-2. S2CID 155059787.
  141. ^ "Manx government proposes ban on single-use plastics". BBC News. 24 July 2019.
  142. ^ "Plastic bags and straws to be banned on the Isle of Man in 2023". BBC News. 20 October 2022. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
  143. ^ "Isle of Man Government - Plastics".
  144. ^ a b Udasin, Sharon: "Knesset bills seeks to alleviate scourge of plastic shopping bags in Israel ", in The Jerusalem Post, 10 February 2014
  145. ^ "Italy Carries Out Plastic Bag Ban". Environmental Leader. 6 January 2011. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  146. ^ "Plastic bag protest in Ivory Coast". BBC News. 25 November 2014. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  147. ^ a b "Gov't ban on single use plastic bags, straws, Styrofoam starts January". Jamaica Observer. 17 September 2018. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
  148. ^ "Current Status of Plastic Bag Reduction Efforts in Japan|JFS Japan for Sustainability". JFS Japan for Sustainability.
  149. ^ "Can Japan end its love affair with plastic?". Japan Today. 25 March 2019. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  150. ^ "Japan retailers to charge for plastic bags from 2020". Phys. 1 November 2019.
  151. ^ "Single use plastic and paper bag guidance". Jersey Government. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  152. ^ "Single-use plastic carrier bag ban in Jersey begins". BBC News. 21 July 2022. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  153. ^ "Kazakhstan authorities decide to abolish plastic shopping bags". Tajikistan News Asia-Plus. Archived from the original on 27 December 2018. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  154. ^ a b Freytas-Tamura, Kimiko de (28 August 2017). "In Kenya, Selling or Importing Plastic Bags Will Cost You $19,000 — or Jail (Published 2017)". The New York Times.
  155. ^ "Policy framework: Kiribati Integrated Environment Policy". Osaka Blue Ocean Vision. 27 August 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  156. ^ "Kyrgyzstan: Authorities impose plastic bag ban". Eurasianet. 11 August 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  157. ^ "Stores in Latvia will no longer provide plastic bags free of charge". 11 January 2018.
  158. ^ "How Latvian stores prepare for future ban on free plastic bags". LSM. 30 August 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  159. ^ "Lebanese mayor bans plastic bags: 'We need to start somewhere'". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  160. ^ "Government imposes plastic bag levy". News Day. 13 December 2022. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  161. ^ Rajaona, Antso. "Madagascar: Prohibition of the use of plastic bags as from May 1 2015". Archived from the original on 6 August 2020. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  162. ^ "Launching of No Free Plastic Bags Day at Tesco Sg Dua". Penang Government. 24 January 2011. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
  163. ^ Shaun Ho (3 January 2010). "Selangor implements 'No Plastic Day' every Saturday". The Star. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
  164. ^ "Maldives banning plastic bags, straws and other single-use items from June 2021". raajje.mv. 31 December 2020. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  165. ^ "Could 2013 spell the end for plastic bags?". France 24. 3 January 2013. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  166. ^ "Single-Use Plastics Will Be Banned In Malta By 2022". Lovin Malta. 14 October 2019.
  167. ^ a b "More Pacific islands step up battle against plastic". Radio New Zealand. 1 August 2017. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  168. ^ "Mauritania bans plastic bag use". BBC News. 3 January 2013. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  169. ^ "Mauritius bans the use of plastic bags". Government of Mauritius. 4 January 2016. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  170. ^ a b "Estos son los estados del país que prohíben el uso de plásticos". Excélsior. 4 January 2020.
  171. ^ "State of Chihuahua to ban plastic bags next month". KTSM 9 News. 28 July 2019. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  172. ^ "Jalisco plastic bag ban fines put on ice for next 12 months". theguadalajarareporter.net. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  173. ^ "Pacific Islands Moving Towards Banning Single Use Plastic". SPREP. 29 June 2018.
  174. ^ "Plastic Bag Ban coming April 2019 for Kosrae State". Kirma Kosrae. 4 December 2018.
  175. ^ "Chuuk State Clean Environment Act of 2018" (PDF). Chuuk State Senate. April 2018.
  176. ^ a b Dulgher, Maria (13 February 2020). "Plastic bags use and selling will be penalised in Moldova". moldova.org. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  177. ^ Staff Writer (8 January 2017). "Plastic bag restrictions continue in Monaco". Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  178. ^ "Mongolia decides to ban single-use plastic bags". Xinhua News Agency. Archived from the original on 20 June 2018. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
  179. ^ "Montenegro bans the Use of Plastic Bags, Fines of up to 40 Thousand Euros". SarajevoTimes. 20 October 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  180. ^ "Morocco enforcing nationwide ban on plastic bags". Africanews. 1 July 2016. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  181. ^ "Mozambique: Restrictions On Plastic Bags Take Effect On 5 February". AllAfrica. 29 January 2016.
  182. ^ "MOZAMBIQUE: Plastic bags to be banned by 2024". Afrik21. 16 June 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  183. ^ Aye Sapay Phyu; Juliet Shwe Gaung (2 May 2011). "Plastic bags get the toss from Yangon". The Myanmar Times. Archived from the original on 1 May 2022. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  184. ^ "Namibia officially bans plastic bags in protected areas". Xinhua News Agency. Archived from the original on 23 November 2018. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
  185. ^ "Ronlaw – Nauru's Online Legal Database – Environmental Management and Climate Change (Ban on Single Use Plastic Shopping Bags) Regulations 2021 in force". ronlaw.gov.nr.
  186. ^ "Ban on production and use of plastic bags comes into effect". 17 July 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  187. ^ a b Milieu, Ministerie van Infrastructuur en (26 August 2015). "Verbod op gratis plastic tassen – Afval – Rijksoverheid.nl". rijksoverheid.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  188. ^ "Curaçao enacts new law against plastic".
  189. ^ "Why Aruba Just Banned Plastic Bags". Caribbean Journal. 9 August 2016. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  190. ^ Insider, Susan Davis for The Bonaire (18 July 2019). "Single-Use Plastics Banned by Bonaire".
  191. ^ "Plastic carrier bags prohibited in Saba per January 1". www.curacaochronicle.com. 10 July 2023.
  192. ^ "Sint Maarten's Move To Prohibit Single-Use Plastics 'Focuses On Natural Processes, Emerging Green Technologies, Innovative Thinking'". 27 April 2021.
  193. ^ a b "Single-use plastic bags banned from July 1, Government confirms". Newshub. 18 December 2018. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
  194. ^ a b "Niue joins growing Pacific movement to ban plastics". Radio New Zealand. 11 July 2018. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  195. ^ "Niger: Govt. bans production, import, trade, use of plastic bags". panapress.com. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  196. ^ a b Opara, George (21 May 2019). "Reps pass bill banning plastic bags, prescribe fines against offenders". Daily Post. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  197. ^ "Supporting Niue on their plastic-free journey". dcceew.gov.au. Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. 18 April 2024. Archived from the original on 23 May 2024. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  198. ^ Saveski, Zdravko (5 August 2019). "Оние незабележливи пластични ќеси". Nezavisen (in Macedonian).
  199. ^ "Незабранетите забранети пластични кеси во Македонија" Archived 13 August 2022 at the Wayback Machine, Иницијатива за забрана на пластични кеси, 23.12.2020.
  200. ^ "Plastic bag charge carries to Norway". The Local Norway. 3 October 2017.
  201. ^ "Clarification issued on single-use plastic bag ban in Oman". Times of Oman. 8 January 2021. Archived from the original on 11 May 2023. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  202. ^ "Pakistan will become 128th country to ban use of plastic bags on 14th". The News. 5 August 2019. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  203. ^ "KP govt bans plastic bags". The News. 17 March 2019.
  204. ^ "In Pakistan's northern mountains, plastic bags face the bin". Quantara. 26 June 2019.
  205. ^ "AJK bans production, use of plastic shopping bags". Nation. 30 May 2019.
  206. ^ "Palau Moves To Ban Plastic Bags". Pacific Note. 9 November 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  207. ^ a b Moreno, Elida (20 July 2019). "Panama becomes first Central American nation to ban plastic bags". Reuters. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  208. ^ "PNG prepares for ban on non-biodegradable plastic bags". ABC News. 15 December 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2016.
  209. ^ "Ban on plastic bags begins in PNG". 28 January 2016. Retrieved 2 July 2016.
  210. ^ "Ley de plásticos: todo lo que debes saber sobre el cobro de bolsas en establecimientos". El Comercio (in Spanish). 7 May 2019.
  211. ^ "Peru to phase out throw-away plastic bags in three years". Reuters. 6 December 2018. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
  212. ^ Valisno, Jeffrey O. (2 March 2012). "To plastic or not to plastic, that is the question..." Business World Online. Archived from the original on 11 May 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  213. ^ "Quezon City plastic bag fee to go to 'green' projects". Rappler. 14 November 2014.
  214. ^ "Industry expects 50% downsizing if Manila bans plastic bags". GMA News Online. 12 July 2012.
  215. ^ a b "As ban on plastic bags spreads, Valenzuela stubbornly says 'no'". GMA News Online. 18 July 2013.
  216. ^ Melican, Nathaniel R. (30 May 2014). "Why Malabon continues to delay plastic ban". INQUIRER.net.
  217. ^ a b "Koniec z darmowymi reklamówkami. Jakie są ceny foliówek w supermarketach?". Wprost. 2 January 2018. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  218. ^ a b "Plastic bag use plummets a year after tax introduction". Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  219. ^ Korotchenko, Maxim (2 September 2021). "Russia Moves to Phase Out Plastic Bags in New Draft Law". The Moscow Times.
  220. ^ Clavel, Émilie (15 February 2014). "Think you can't live without plastic bags? Consider this: Rwanda did it". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
  221. ^ "St. Kitts And Nevis Checks Box For Ban Of Single-Use Plastics". The Kitts and Nevis Observer. 11 April 2024. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
  222. ^ "St Vincent and the Grenadines bans single-use plastic bags". WICNEWS. 29 November 2019. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  223. ^ "Samoa to ban plastics". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  224. ^ "La Repubblica di San Marino dice addio alla plastica monouso". San Marino Fixing (in Italian). 29 October 2020. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  225. ^ "SÃO TOMÉ E PRÍNCIPE - DIÁRIO DA REPÚBLICA N.º 61 – 21 de Setembro de 2020" (PDF). Nicolas Institute (in Portuguese). 21 September 2020.
  226. ^ Iwuoha, John-Paul (3 June 2016). "Plastic Shopping Bags Will Soon Be History Everywhere in Africa. Here's Why..." HuffPost. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  227. ^ a b "Serbia Throws Plastic Bags in Dustbin of History". Balkan Insight. 17 January 2012. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  228. ^ https://www.sllistbeograd.rs/pdf/2018/85-2018.pdf#view=Fit&page=1 [bare URL PDF]
  229. ^ "In another environmental push, Seychelles bans single-use plastic straws". seychellesnewsagency.com. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  230. ^ "STA: Govt bans free lightweight plastic bags as of 2019". english.sta.si. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  231. ^ https://solomons.gov.sb/regulation-to-ban-single-use-plastic-products-signed-and-gazetted/#:~:text=HONIARA%2C%20SOLOMON%20ISLANDS%20(4TH,on%201st%20September%202023.
  232. ^ "Somalia joins Kenya, Rwanda in banning single-use plastics". The East African. 2 February 2024.
  233. ^ a b Somaliland bans use of plastic bags, IRIN News, 1 March 2005. Accessed on 30 October 2017.
  234. ^ a b Somaliland still blighted by plastic bags, despite ban, IRIN News, 24 March 2005. Accessed on 30 October 2017.
  235. ^ a b Somaliland plastic ban: Enforcement teams formed for implementation Archived 7 November 2017 at the Wayback Machine, Somaliland Informer, 9 September 2016. Accessed on 30 October 2017.
  236. ^ a b Somaliland: Ban on Plastic Bags Imposed Archived 19 February 2017 at the Wayback Machine, Somaliland Sun, 14 April 2015. Accessed on 30 October 2017.
  237. ^ a b The Official text of the Presidential decree (in Somali) Archived 6 April 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Accessed on 30 October 2017.
  238. ^ a b Dikgang, Johane; Leiman, Anthony; Visser, Martine (8 July 2010). "Analysis of the plastic-bag levy in South Africa" (PDF). Economic Research Southern Africa. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 August 2019. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
  239. ^ a b John Roach (4 April 2008). "Plastic-Bag Bans Gaining Momentum Around the World". National Geographic. Archived from the original on 6 April 2008. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
  240. ^ "South Korea bans disposable coffee cups, plastic bags". Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  241. ^ "Gov't bans plastic bags". 18 December 2017. Archived from the original on 31 March 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  242. ^ a b "Charging for carrier bags to be mandatory in Spain from 2018". thinkSPAIN. 16 February 2017.
  243. ^ Badcock, James (17 January 2018). "Balearic Islands to ban plastic by 2020 in bid to clean its beaches". The Telegraph. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  244. ^ "Sri Lanka bans plastic bags, other disposables after garbage crisis". The Straits Times. 1 September 2017. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
  245. ^ "Sudan: Khartoum State Bans Light Plastic Bags". Sudan News Agency (Khartoum). 21 September 2017. Retrieved 10 August 2018 – via AllAfrica.
  246. ^ "Sweden considers higher fees for plastic bags". 6 July 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  247. ^ a b c d (in French) Michel Guillaume, "L'économie suisse promet de verdir", Le temps, Monday 26 September 2016, page 4. Published on-line as "L'économie suisse promet de verdir malgré le rejet de l'initiative" Archived 21 April 2023 at the Wayback Machine on 25 September 2016 (page visited on 26 September 2016).
  248. ^ a b c (in French) Michael West, "Environnement. « Petits prix pour grands effets »", Migros Magazine, number 39, 29 September 2016, page 38-39.
  249. ^ a b c (in French) "Chez Coop et Migros, les sacs jetables vont désormais coûter 5 centimes", Radio télévision suisse, 22 September 2016 (page visited on 25 September 2016).
  250. ^ "Geneva set to ban single-use plastics". The Local. 23 April 2019.
  251. ^ http://en.centralasia.news/22953-tajikistan-bans-thin-polyethylene-bags.html#:~:text=Tajikistan%20will%20ban%20the%20import,force%20on%20January%201%2C%202025.
  252. ^ "Tanzania to ban single-use plastics by July – environment minister". 8 April 2019. Archived from the original on 8 April 2019. Retrieved 10 June 2019 – via af.reuters.com.
  253. ^ a b "Tanzania latest African nation to ban plastic bags". France 24. 31 May 2019. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  254. ^ "Major Thai stores to stop giving out plastic bags by 2020: minister". Reuters. 24 September 2019. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
  255. ^ "Thailand to ban single-use plastics in 2021". Coconuts Bangkok. 12 November 2019.
  256. ^ "Togo bans plastic bags amid growing global trend". Independent.co.uk. 19 January 2011. Archived from the original on 26 May 2022. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  257. ^ a b "Tunisia bans disposable plastic shopping bags". TreeHugger. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
  258. ^ "Plastic bags to be banned on Istanbul's Princes' Islands". Hürriyet Daily News. 19 February 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  259. ^ Hartmann, Jens. "TURKEY: Introduction of fees for retail plastic bags from January 2018 / Ban on thin plastic bags". plasteurope.com. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  260. ^ "North Cyprus introduces plastic bag charge – T-VINE". Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  261. ^ "Goodbye to single use plastic bags Ban to take effect from January 2019". Turks and Caicos Weekly News. 8 October 2018. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  262. ^ "Tuvalu: Ban on Single-Use Plastics Commences". Library of Congress. 19 August 2019. Archived from the original on 14 September 2019.
  263. ^ a b "East African ban on plastic bags". BBC. 14 June 2007. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
  264. ^ (in Ukrainian) "Goodbye, plastic": restrictions on plastic bags have come into force in Ukraine, Ekonomichna Pravda ("Economic Truth") (10 December 2021)
  265. ^ "President signed a law banning the use of plastic bags in Ukraine". Official website of the President of Ukraine.
  266. ^ "UAE to ban single-use plastic from 2024". The National. 10 January 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  267. ^ a b Howell, Dominic (30 July 2016). "The 5p plastic bag charge: All you need to know". BBC News. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  268. ^ "Higher plastic bag charge comes into force in England". BBC News. 20 May 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  269. ^ a b "NI Direct Bag Levy". Carrier bag Levy Northern Ireland. NI Direct. 20 November 2015.
  270. ^ "Carrier Bag Levy | Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs". DAERA. 2 November 2020. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  271. ^ a b c Natasha Culzac (20 October 2014). "Scotland's 5p carrier bag charge comes into effect". The Independent. Archived from the original on 26 May 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
  272. ^ "Single-use carrier bags charge (Scotland)". Zero Waste Scotland. 21 March 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  273. ^ a b "Retailers". Carrier bag charge Wales. Crown. July 2013. Archived from the original on 6 September 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
  274. ^ "Welsh Government Publishes Bill to Ban Single Use Plastic Bags | ACS Press Release". www.acs.org.uk. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  275. ^ a b "Ley N° 19655". www.impo.com.uy. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  276. ^ "Free distribution of plastic bags to be banned in Uzbekistan from 2019". UzDaily.com. Archived from the original on 6 August 2020. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  277. ^ "Plastic bag ban in Vanuatu from February". 3 January 2018. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  278. ^ "Vatican City State set to end sale of single-use plastics". The Tablet. 16 July 2019.
  279. ^ "Vietnam aims to ban the use of all plastic bags by 2030". Packaging gateway. 16 May 2022. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  280. ^ "Kenya bans plastic bags". The Independent UK. 9 January 2011. Archived from the original on 26 May 2022. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
  281. ^ "Nairobi city to ban use of plastic bags". Africa Review Kenya. 3 April 2014. Archived from the original on 5 December 2020. Retrieved 5 May 2015.
  282. ^ "Government bans use of plastic bags". Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  283. ^ "Uhuru Kenyatta bans single-use plastic products in parks, beaches". Daily Nation. 28 June 2020. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  284. ^ Behuria, Pritish (December 2021). "Ban the (plastic) bag? Explaining variation in the implementation of plastic bag bans in Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda". Environment and Planning C: Politics and Space. 39 (8): 1791–1808. doi:10.1177/2399654421994836. ISSN 2399-6544. S2CID 233889198.
  285. ^ "Zanzibar islands ban plastic bags". BBC. 10 November 2006. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
  286. ^ Pflanz, Mike (4 April 2006). "Tanzania to ban all plastic bags". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
  287. ^ "Plastic bag ban delayed – Dar Post". Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  288. ^ "Tunisia bans plastic bags in supermarkets". The Arab Weekly. Retrieved 10 April 2017.
  289. ^ Tenywa, Gerald (11 January 2009). "Paper bag makers shift base as kaveera ghost hits with vengeance". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
  290. ^ "Makers of plastic bags get reprieve". Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  291. ^ Iechika, Ryoko (家近亮子) (2000). "日本の対中環境協力と中国の環境行政システム" [Japanese environmental cooperation for China and the system of environmental administration of China]. 环境情报研究8号 (in Japanese). 8: 95 (note 1). Retrieved 24 November 2021. The term 'white pollution' refers to the contamination caused by dumping of plastic products such as PET bottles and burning of styrofoam products such as disposable lunch boxes. In China, a mandate was handed down from the State Council to eliminate 'white pollution.' It was held in October 1999 that the production and use of disposable plastic returnable containers would be prohibited in 2000. China is the world's fourth largest plastic product producing country. Source: People's Daily International Edition, October 18, 1999.
  292. ^ "Chinese cities to curb 'white pollution'". People's Daily (English edition). 16 November 2000. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  293. ^ "爱山环保日活动挑战"白色污染" (Aishan Ecology Day activities set to battle 'white pollution')" (in Chinese). People's Daily. 16 March 2002. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  294. ^ Chen, Zhiyong (21 January 2006). "Finding solutions to 'white pollution'". People's Daily (English edition). Retrieved 24 November 2021. But despite their handiness, the plastic bags and foam plastic food containers have been associated with 'white pollution,' because they are non-degradable.
  295. ^ Harrell, Stevan; Hinckley, Thomas M.; Li, Xingxing; Ho, Joanne; Warren, Kayanna; Nadal, Ross T. "Historical ecological change in the upper Baiwu Valley (白乌溪流域的历代生态变迁)" (PDF). {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  296. ^ "Minimum Thickness of Plastic Carry Bags Increased from 40 to 50 Microns". Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
  297. ^ "India's first organic state". The Hindu. 14 January 2016.
  298. ^ "Sikkim Becomes the First Indian State to Ban Mineral Water Bottles in Govt Programmes". NDTV Food.
  299. ^ "Total plastic ban in Karnataka | Bengaluru News". The Times of India. 14 March 2016.
  300. ^ "HC refuses to stay plastic ban; asks plastic industry to go to Green Tribunal". 30 March 2016.
  301. ^ TNN (20 May 2013). "Plea to relax ban on plastic bags below 40 microns". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 29 June 2013. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
  302. ^ Press Trust of India (2 January 2010). "Mumbai to ban plastic bags; to amend law". Diligent Media Corporation Ltd. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
  303. ^ "Plastic Waste Management in Maharashtra". Maharashtra Pollution Control Board. 23 June 2018. Archived from the original on 21 August 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  304. ^ Thangavelu, Dharani (31 December 2018). "Tamil Nadu to usher in New Year on green note with ban on single-use plastic". mint.
  305. ^ Heyden, Dylan (24 January 2019). "Bali Institutes a Ban on Single-Use Plastics in 2019 With Aggressive Reduction Goals". The Inertia.
  306. ^ Dharmastuti, Hestiana (7 January 2020). "Sebelum Jakarta, Bali hingga Semarang Lebih Dulu Larang Kantong Plastik". detiknews (in Indonesian).
  307. ^ "Disposable plastic bag use falls very sharply – Globes English". Globes. 25 May 2017. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  308. ^ "This is why Philippines is world's third-largest ocean plastic polluter". South China Morning Post. 18 October 2018.
  309. ^ Melican, Nathaniel R. (24 June 2012). "First to ban plastics in NCR, Muntinlupa City takes campaign further". INQUIRER.net.
  310. ^ "BusinessWorld | To plastic or not to plastic, that is the question..." archives.bworldonline.com.
  311. ^ Inquirer, Philippine Daily (20 January 2021). "Parañaque City to ban single-use plastics". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  312. ^ "Press Release - Bawal ang plastic: Kiko". legacy.senate.gov.ph.
  313. ^ "Days of single-use plastic to end with approval of Pangilinan's Senate Bill 40".
  314. ^ "Large supermarkets to charge minimum 5 cents for each disposable carrier bag". CNA. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  315. ^ "Disposable Carrier Bag Charge". www.nea.gov.sg. Retrieved 23 July 2023. From 3 July 2023, larger supermarket operators with annual turnover of more than $100 million, will be required to charge at least five cents for each disposable carrier bag provided at their SFA-licensed supermarkets. The charge will apply to disposable carrier bags of all material types.
  316. ^ "Why plastic shopping bag bans and taxes don't work". Canadian Plastics Industry Association. Archived from the original (doc) on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
  317. ^ "Many support EPA ban on throw-away utensils". taipeitimes.com. 18 December 2006. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
  318. ^ Mangmeechai, Aweewan (26 July 2024). "Plastic bag ban policy in Thailand: A step into the 20-year roadmap for Plastic Waste Management". Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  319. ^ "EUROPA – Press release – Environment: Commission proposes to reduce the use of plastic bags". European Commission. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  320. ^ Cécile Barbière (29 April 2015). "EU to halve plastic bag use by 2019". Euractiv. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  321. ^ Directive 2015/720 of 29 April 2015 of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 94/62/EC as regards reducing the consumption of lightweight plastic carrier bags
  322. ^ "Learn About Global Efforts to Reduce Waste from Disposable Products". Reuse it. Archived from the original on 8 February 2013. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  323. ^ "Europe votes to slash plastic bag use", ABC News, 17 April 2014
  324. ^ "Germany: Changes to Germany's Packaging Laws – An Exporter's Guide". USDA Foreign Agricultural Service. 16 August 2019. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  325. ^ "Environmental Law and Practice in Germany: Overview". Practical Law. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  326. ^ "Germany: Lightweight Plastic Bag Ban to Take Effect January 1, 2022". Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  327. ^ Peppa, Sofia (September 2016). "Thinking outside the plastic bag". International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics – via Lund University Libraries.
  328. ^ "The European Union Hopes To Ban Single-Use Plastic By 2021". NPR.org. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  329. ^ "Plastic bags to cost 4 cents each in Greece after January 1 – CretePost.gr". chaniapost.eu. October 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  330. ^ "Transposition of the Single-use Plastics Directive, and its Impact on the Economy in Bosnia and Herzegovina | United Nations Development Programme". UNDP. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  331. ^ Pokojska, Agnieszka (19 December 2017). "Opłata recyklingowa w 2018 roku. Fiskus zarobi ćwierć miliarda złotych na sprzedaży foliówek". Gazeta Prawna. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  332. ^ a b Luís, Idalina Perestrelo; Spínola, Hélder (October 2010). "The influence of a voluntary fee in the consumption of plastic bags on supermarkets from Madeira Island (Portugal)". Journal of Environmental Planning and Management. 53 (7): 883–889. Bibcode:2010JEPM...53..883L. doi:10.1080/09640568.2010.490054. S2CID 154911538.
  333. ^ "Ecotaxa pe pungi şi sacoşe pentru cumpărături". 2 June 2011.
  334. ^ "Serbia set to ban plastic bags". Archived from the original on 10 August 2018. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  335. ^ "NAPLATA PLASTIČNE AMBALAŽE: Traže dva dinara za kesu" (in Serbian). Večernje novosti. 17 July 2018. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  336. ^ "Carrier bag charges compulsory from July this year". Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  337. ^ a b Sutherland, Nikki (19 October 2020). Plastic Bags – The single use carrier bag charge (Report). Contributing author: Louise Smith. House of Commons Library.
  338. ^ Jackson, Siba (7 May 2021). "Single-use plastic bags to cost 10p at all shops in England from 21 May". Sky News. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  339. ^ a b "Single-use plastic carrier bags charge: data for England 2021 to 2022". gov.uk. 29 July 2022. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  340. ^ Houlton, Cara (29 July 2022). "Retailers See 97% Fall In Plastic Bag Use Since 2015, Data Reveals". Grocery Gazette. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  341. ^ "List by country; 'bag charges, taxes and bans'. – Big Fat Bags". Big Fat Bags. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  342. ^ "NI Bag Levy Annual Statistics 2013/14" (PDF). Carrier bag Levy Northern Ireland Statistics. DOE NI. August 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 September 2015. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
  343. ^ Introductory Text to The Single Use Carrier Bags Charge (Scotland) Regulations 2014 [1]
  344. ^ "Home – Carrier Bag Charge Scotland". Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  345. ^ The Single Use Carrier Bags Charge (Scotland) Regulations 2014 (161, Schedule 1). 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  346. ^ "5p carrier bag fee 'will cost families £1.5 billion' over next 10 years". ITV News. 16 September 2015. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
  347. ^ Ritch, Elaine; Brennan, Carol; MacLeod, Calum (2009). "Plastic bag politics: Modifying consumer behaviour for sustainable development". International Journal of Consumer Studies. 33 (2): 168–174. doi:10.1111/j.1470-6431.2009.00749.x.
  348. ^ Howell, Dominic (30 July 2016). "The 5p plastic bag charge: All you need to know". BBC News. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
  349. ^ "Carrier bags: why there's a charge". Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. 3 November 2015. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  350. ^ Morelle, Rebecca (30 July 2016). "Plastic bag use plummets in England since 5p charge". BBC News. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
  351. ^ "Single-use plastic carrier bags charge: data in England for 2015 to 2016". Gov.uk. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  352. ^ "WRAP announces new carrier bag figures". WRAP UK. 22 July 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  353. ^ a b Thomas, Gregory Owen; Sautkina, Elena; Poortinga, Wouter; Wolstenholme, Emily; Whitmarsh, Lorraine (26 February 2019). "The English Plastic Bag Charge Changed Behavior and Increased Support for Other Charges to Reduce Plastic Waste". Frontiers in Psychology. 10: 266. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00266. PMC 6399129. PMID 30863332.
  354. ^ "Plastic bags: Government response – News from Parliament". UK Parliament. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  355. ^ DEFRA, War on plastic waste stepped up with extension of plastic bag charge, published 31 August 2020,accessed 29 September 2021
  356. ^ Ambrose, Kristal K.; Box, Carolynn; Boxall, James; Brooks, Annabelle; Eriksen, Marcus; Fabres, Joan; Fylakis, Georgios; Walker, Tony R. (May 2019). "Spatial trends and drivers of marine debris accumulation on shorelines in South Eleuthera, the Bahamas using citizen science". Marine Pollution Bulletin. 142: 145–154. Bibcode:2019MarPB.142..145A. doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.03.036. PMID 31232287. S2CID 109287477.
  357. ^ "Plastic bags officially banned in Manitoba town". Bell Media. 2 April 2007. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  358. ^ "Toronto bans plastic bags by the start of 2013". The Toronto Sun. 6 June 2012. Retrieved 8 November 2012.
  359. ^ "Toronto plastic bag ban: Bylaw ready to go for a Jan. 1 soft launch". The Toronto Star. 7 November 2012. Retrieved 8 November 2012.
  360. ^ "Bag ban overturned, shopping bylaw unchanged". CP24. 28 November 2012. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
  361. ^ Hannah, Thibedeau (9 June 2019). "Government to ban single-use plastics as early as 2021". CBC News. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
  362. ^ Molloy, Shen; Medeiros, Andrew S.; Walker, Tony R.; Saunders, Sarah J. (January 2022). "Public Perceptions of Legislative Action to Reduce Plastic Pollution: A Case Study of Atlantic Canada". Sustainability. 14 (3): 1852. doi:10.3390/su14031852. ISSN 2071-1050.
  363. ^ "BYLAW NO. 12/007" (PDF). Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  364. ^ "Plastic bags no more: Victoria to implement ban July 1". CBC News. 17 December 2017. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  365. ^ "Leaf Rapids Green Initiatives". Leaf Rapids, Manitoba, Canada. Town of Leaf Rapids. Archived from the original on 19 July 2012. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  366. ^ "Single Use Plastic Bag By-law". City of Thompson. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  367. ^ a b c "City of Moncton passes bylaw banning some plastic and placing fee on paper checkout bags – Dieppe and Riverview introduce bylaws identical to Moncton Bylaw". Retail Council. 4 July 2019. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  368. ^ a b c "Moncton-area municipalities delay single-use plastic bag bylaw restrictions". CBC News.
  369. ^ "N.S. passes legislation banning single-use plastic bags". CBC. 10 April 2019. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  370. ^ "Plastic-free amid a pandemic? It might not be possible, but it's worth a try". CBC News.
  371. ^ "FAQ – Single-use Retail Bag Program". Northwest Territories Government. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  372. ^ "N.S. passes legislation banning single-use plastic bags". CBC. 30 October 2019. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  373. ^ "Baker Lake bans single-use plastic bags". Nunavut News. 18 June 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  374. ^ "Plastic bag ban a relief for Island Waste Management". CBC. 11 June 2018. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
  375. ^ "Brossard bans plastic bags in stores for fall 2016". CBC. 17 February 2016. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  376. ^ "Sacs d'emplettes" (in French). Ville de Brossard. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  377. ^ a b Bruemmer, René (7 November 2014). "Can Montreal's proposed ban on plastic bags work?". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  378. ^ Evans, Lacey (8 September 2016). "Montreal is largest Canadian city to ban plastic bags".
  379. ^ "Plastic bags soon to be banned in Regina". CKRM. 31 May 2020.
  380. ^ "Ban on single-use shopping bags coming to the Yukon". Yukon News. 1 October 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  381. ^ "No more single-use plastic bags in Carmacks". Yukon News. 7 August 2019. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  382. ^ "To Help Conserve Lake Atitlán, Town Bans Plastic Bags". 4 May 2017. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  383. ^ "Acatenango prohíbe el uso de bolsas plásticas, pajillas y duroport" (in Spanish). Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  384. ^ "Municipalidad de Villa Canales prohíbe el uso de bolsas plásticas y otros artículos no reusables". elPeriodico. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  385. ^ "San Miguel Petapa se une a la prohibición de bolsas plásticas". Prensa Libre. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  386. ^ KM169, Prensa Comunitaria (5 June 2018). "Totonicapán dice NO al uso del plástico". Prensa Comunitaria KM169. Retrieved 30 June 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  387. ^ Clayton, C. Andrea Bruce (25 October 2021). "Building Collective Ownership of Single-Use Plastic Waste in Youth Communities: A Jamaican Case Study". Social Sciences. 10 (11): 3. doi:10.3390/socsci10110412.
  388. ^ "Jamaica: plastics ban creates new opportunities". UNEP. 25 January 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
  389. ^ "Plastic Bags Banned in Panama – THE PANAMA PERSPECTIVE". 16 August 2017. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  390. ^ Luna, Taryn (10 November 2016). "Californians say farewell to the plastic bag". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  391. ^ "Maine halts plastic bag ban as part of plan to mitigate coronavirus spread". Plastics News. 18 March 2020. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  392. ^ Rosengren, Cole (4 November 2020). "New Jersey governor signs sweeping bill limiting carryout bags, polystyrene foam and straws". Waste Dive. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  393. ^ Nace April, Trevor (23 April 2019). "New York Officially Bans Plastic Bags". Forbes. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
  394. ^ "Vermont adopts the most comprehensive plastics ban in U.S." National Geographic. 18 June 2019. Archived from the original on 20 June 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  395. ^ KREM Staff (25 March 2020). "WaBagBan". KREM. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  396. ^ Coto, Danica (30 October 2015). "Puerto Rico to ban use of plastic bags through executive order after legislators opposed bill". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  397. ^ Nace, Trevor. "Here's A List Of Every City In The US To Ban Plastic Bags, Will Your City Be Next?". Forbes.
  398. ^ Llanos, Miguel (16 May 2012). "Hawaii first state to ban plastic bags at checkout". NBC News. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
  399. ^ "Massachusetts plastic bag ban is now tied up in Beacon Hill". BostonGlobe.com.
  400. ^ "Plastic Bag Legislation". MassGreen.Org.
  401. ^ "This time, pass California ban on plastic bags: Editorial". Los Angeles Daily News. 18 April 2013. Retrieved 23 April 2013. [permanent dead link]
  402. ^ Verespej, Nike (16 November 2012). "Massachusetts town bans plastic bags". Waste & Recycling News. Retrieved 29 November 2012. [permanent dead link]
  403. ^ Frazier, Ian. "The Bag Bill". The New Yorker. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  404. ^ a b "SB 1053: Solid waste: Reusable grocery bags: Standards: Plastic film prohibition". CalMatters.org. 26 July 2024. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  405. ^ Jacobson, Eva. "CALIFORNIA'S LAW BANNING PLASTIC BAGS". Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  406. ^ "California's Gavin Newsom signs law banning all plastic bags at grocery stores". The Guardian. 23 September 2024. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  407. ^ "Tasmania carries eco-fight, bans plastic bags". Mail & Guardian. 29 April 2003. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  408. ^ "Plastic Bag Ban". Zero Waste South Australia. 28 February 2011. Retrieved 2 July 2012. [permanent dead link]
  409. ^ "BAG BANS ACROSS AUSTRALIA". bagban.com.au. 26 July 2024.
  410. ^ Lorraine Chow, Lorraine (3 December 2018). "Australia Cuts 80% of Plastic Bag Use in 3 Short Months". Ecowatch. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
  411. ^ "Government pledges mandatory phase-out of plastic bags". 9 August 2018. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  412. ^ Lyons, Kate (10 August 2018). "Jacinda Ardern says New Zealand will ban plastic bags". The Guardian.
  413. ^ "Phasing out hard-to-recycle and single-use plastics". Ministry for the Environment. 1 July 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  414. ^ "El gobierno porteño anunció que desde 2017 se prohibirán bolsas plásticas en los súper". Retrieved 22 December 2016.
  415. ^ "Adiós a un clásico: desde 2017, no habrá más bolsas de plástico en los súper porteños". Clarin. 3 September 2016. Retrieved 22 December 2016.
  416. ^ "Polémica por la prohibición de bolsas en los comercios porteños". La Nacion. 3 September 2016. Archived from the original on 15 December 2018. Retrieved 22 December 2016.
  417. ^ "Ley 13868 PBA". Retrieved 22 December 2016.
  418. ^ "Prohibición del uso de bolsas plasticas en supermercados, hipermercados y minimercados de la Provincia de Buenos Aires". Retrieved 22 December 2016.
  419. ^ "SE REGLAMENTÓ LA LEY DE SUSTITUCIÓN DE BOLSAS PLÁSTICAS". Archived from the original on 23 December 2016. Retrieved 22 December 2016.
  420. ^ Bonnefoy, Pascale (1 June 2018). "Chile Bans Plastic Bags at Retail Businesses". The New York Times. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  421. ^ "Chile adopts new law to ban the use of plastic bags". ClimateActionProgramme.org. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  422. ^ Chow, Lorraine (31 May 2018). "Chile to Become First Country in the Americas to Ban Plastic Bags". EcoWatch. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  423. ^ "Chile set to become first American country to ban plastic bags – The Santiago Times". santiagotimes.cl. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  424. ^ "Chile bans supermarket plastic bags". BBC News. 3 August 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  425. ^ El Tiempo, Casa Editorial (3 August 2020). "El primer país de Latinoamérica que se despide de las bolsas plásticas". El Tiempo (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  426. ^ "Chile to ban plastic bags in coastal regions". Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  427. ^ Espectador, El (27 November 2015). "Colombia apunta a la eliminación completa del uso de bolsas plásticas en 2025". Elespectador.com.
  428. ^ Tiempo, Casa Editorial El (12 April 2016). "Las bolsas plásticas pequeñas tienen los días contados en Colombia – Sectores – El Tiempo".
  429. ^ Tiempo, Casa Editorial El (1 August 2020). "Plástico de un solo uso: protege del virus pero amenaza al planeta". El Tiempo (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  430. ^ "Bajó 80% el uso de bolsas plásticas desde el pasado 1o de abril". LARED21 (in Spanish). 25 April 2019. Retrieved 1 July 2019.

Further reading

[edit]