Plastic bag bans have proven to be effective in reducing plastic bag consumption and promoting more sustainable alternatives, according to Faye Park, president of the U.S. PIRG Education Fund. Plastic bags initially gained popularity due to their affordability and durability, but their impact on the environment became evident with the discovery of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. San Francisco paved the way for plastic bag bans in the U.S., and several other cities and states followed suit. The bans have resulted in the elimination of hundreds of plastic bags per person per year. While plastic bags are not solely responsible for marine pollution, they contribute significantly to the problem. Well-designed bans have successfully reduced plastic bag consumption and encouraged consumers to opt for more sustainable options. Policymakers are urged to implement these measures at the state and local levels. The goal is not to replace plastic bags with other single-use options, but to regulate their distribution and encourage the use of reusable bags. While paper bags are easier to recycle, they have their own drawbacks, such as higher energy consumption and waste generation during production. The report concludes that regulation is the best approach to address plastic waste and pollution. It recommends prohibiting the distribution of plastic film bags at checkout and implementing a minimum fee of 10 cents
https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/plastic-bans-work-billions-of-plastic-bags-were-avoided-in-the-us-alone/