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California's attempt to cut down on plastic bags has unintended consequences, spurring new legislative action
In the decade following California's celebrated first-in-the-nation single-use plastic bag ban, plastic bag waste jumped by nearly 50%. What went wrong?
In short:
- California's ban on single-use plastic bags led to an increase in heavier, so-called "reusable" bags, causing a surge in plastic waste.
- The new legislation aims to close the loophole that allowed these thicker bags, with a focus on truly reducing plastic use.
- Other states have learned from California's experience, adopting more stringent measures to avoid similar pitfalls.
Key quote:
"Californians want less plastic, not more."
— Sen. Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica)
Why this matters:
Revisiting California's ban on single-use plastic bags spotlights the complexities of crafting effective environmental legislation and the importance of adaptability in policy-making. Competing interests have made the U.S. a laggard in the broader effort to combat plastic pollution.
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Credit: KeepCool Bags/Flickr
New Jersey's plastic consumption triples after plastic bag ban enacted, study shows
Jersey's plastic ban was meant to mitigate its plastic consumption, but one study found the replacement bags may have tripled its plastic consumption.
The Florida Legislature wants to expand the control over regulating plastics
More than 15 years ago, state lawmakers passed legislation to further control local governments from banning single-use plastics in Florida. Now, members of the GOP-controlled Legislature and the Florida business establishment want to go further.
Credit: Walmart/Flickr
1.5 billion fewer plastic bags used in Colorado thanks to fee, recycling center says
After a year of the statewide fee on single-use plastic bags, the Eco-Cycle recycling center estimates between 1.5 billion and 1.8 billion fewer plastic bags were used in Colorado in 2023.
Photo by roberta errani on Unsplash
Editorial: Goodbye to plastic bags in Pittsburgh
They have their uses and will not be easily replaced.
State budget provision stymies local plastic reduction efforts in NC.
Several municipalities were on the cusp of regulating plastic bags and styrofoam carryout containers. One budget item stalled the movement.
Governments and individuals debate: Are mandates needed to reach climate change targets?
Governments, organizations and businesses have set ambitious goals to combat climate change. But it is far from clear that those goals can be met without forcing people to do -- or not do -- certain things.
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