Plastic bags are ubiquitous. Each year the world goes through some 500 Billion plastic bags. Of that, WorldWatch Institute estimates that about 100 Billion are used and discarded in the US alone, at the cost of 12 million barrels of oil.

Only about 2% of these bags are recycled. Most have a short lifetime with a consumer — they are used for the few minutes it takes to get from the store to home and then they’re thrown away. Plastic shopping bags can last up to a thousand years in a landfill. In the environment, they break down into tiny, toxic particles that become part of the soil and water. They contribute to the plastic debris in the ocean that  kill an estimated 1 million sea creatures each year.

Eliminating the use of disposable plastic bags is about more than just the environment, it is about health, sustainability, economics and ultimately, the quality of our life.

Plastic Bags Bans Around The World

United States

Alaska – As of 1998, 30 villages; California | Fairfax; Malibu; Manhattan Beach (In lawsuit), Oakland – voluntary ban; Palo Alto; San Francisco; Edmonds, WA;  Iowa | Marshall County; Hawaii | Maui County; Paia; Kauai County; North Carolina (Outer Banks) ; New York | Suffolk County; Connecticut | Westport ;

Rest of the World
Bangladesh-2002; Bhutan-2007; Botswana-2007; Brazi-2007; Buenos Aires, Argentina – 2008; China-2008; Coles Bay, Tasmania -2003; Egypt (partial) – 2009 ; Eritrea –2005; France – Phase out completely by 2010; Corsica –1999; Paris, France – Full ban adopted January 2007; India – In 2002,  a thickness rule on plastic bags; Delhi, India – Full ban 2009; Chandigarh, India – 2008; Himachal Pradesh, India—Full ban 2003; Maharashtra, India—Full ban 2005; Italy – Effective 2010.  Karachi, Pakistan — 2008; Kenya –2007; Loddon Shire, Victoria (Australia) –  2005; Macedonia – 2009; Manitoba, Canada Coldwell – 2008; Eriksdale – 2008; Leaf Rapids –2007; Mexico City, Mexico – 2009; New South Wales (Australia); Kangaroo Valley – 2003; Mogo – 2003; Nova Scotia, Canada – 2008; Papua New Guinea — 2004; Quebec, Canada – 2009; Huntingdon –  2008; Amqui, Quebec – 2008; Rwanda—2005; Somalia—Adopted in 2005; Somaliland – 2005; South Africa–  2003; South Australia – 2008; Spain – Mandatory phase out of 50% by end of 2009; Taiwan – 2007; Tanzania – 2006; Zanzibar, Tanzania – Ban in 2006; Uganda–2007; Ulanbaatar, Mongolia – 2008; United Arab Emirates – 2013
United Kingdom: Aylsham, England – 2008; Banchory, Scotland – 2008; Girton –  2008; Hay-On-Wye, Wales –  2007; Hebden Bridge, England – 2007; Henfield, England – 2008; Kew, England – 2008; Llandysilio, Wales – 2007; Modbury, England – May 1, 2007
Overton, England – 2007; Selkirk, Scotland –2008; Tisbury, England –  2008

News


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