Between 500 billion and one trillion plastic bags are used worldwide each year. A recently published report revealed that “the ink and dyes used in the bags contain toxic materials.” Even so, each year, 131,000 bags are thrown away after being used only once, which represents a waste equivalent to 12 million barrels of oil.
These facts have motivated the actions of governments that have promoted new laws to minimize the use of plastic bags.
United Kingdom
Since 2007, Modbury Council has banned the use of plastic bags. Instead, supermarkets offer cotton bags and shopping baskets with and without wheels. Despite this, the United Kingdom continues to be a major consumer of bags, with more than 1 billion delivered monthly by businesses.
USA
Although, at the moment, the ban only exists in San Francisco, it is being studied to extend the law to the entire state of California. Other towns in North Carolina, Oregon and Washington have also approved the measure.
Mexico
Mexico City recently approved the ban on plastic bags, a leading measure in a city of such caliber.
Rwanda
Some African countries have joined the cause, as in the case of Rwanda. After years of compliance with the law, this country is today considered one of the cleanest on the planet.
Europe
Most European countries have also tried to change bag consumption habits. In some countries such as Italy, Belgium and Ireland, the use of bags fell by 94% after the law was passed. Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands have chosen to apply a tariff to this type of product.
In all these countries, plastic baskets have been gaining ground over bags, since they offer the user and their stores an ecological and practical alternative.
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