Phase-out of lightweight plastic bags

In various parts of the world, there has been a phase-out of lightweight plastic bags. Single-use plastic shopping bags are usually distributed (for free) to customers by stores when purchasing goods. It is a popular method that is practiced in many countries for being a strong, cheap, and hygienic way of transporting items. Lightweight bags are commonly made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic.
Problems associated with plastic bags include use of non-renewable resources (such as crude oil, gas and coal), disposal, and environmental impacts.
A car could drive about 11 metres on the amount of petroleum used to make a single plastic bag. In Australia alone 6 billion HDPE bags were used in 2002. Usage reduced to 5.6 billion in 2004, and 3.9 billion in 2007. 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 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’s 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. The term white pollution has been coined to describe the local and global effects of discarded plastic bags upon the environment.
Governments all over the world have taken action to either ban the sale of lightweight bags, charge customers for lightweight bags or generate taxes from the stores who sell them. Major countries such as Rwanda, China, Taiwan and Macedonia have a total ban on the bag. In the United States only cities and counties have outlawed their use; however in September 2014, California became the first state to pass a law imposing a ban.
== Issues ==
Plastic bags cause many minor and major issues in geographical terms. The most general issue with plastic bags is the amount of waste produced. Many plastic bags end up on streets and are aesthetically displeasing.
When disposed of properly, they take many years to decompose and break down generating large amounts of garbage over long periods of time. If not disposed of properly the bags can pollute waterways, clog sewers and have been found in oceans affecting the habitat of animals and marine creatures.
Lightweight plastic bags are also blown into trees and other plants and can be mistaken for flowers by animals affecting their diet. Plastic bags break down, but they never biodegrade. 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.
Research shows the average operating 'lifespan' of a plastic bag to be approximately 20 minutes. Plastic bags can last in landfill - an anaerobic environment - for up to 1000 years.
== Regional developments ==
=== Africa ===
==== Botswana ====
Botswana introduced a levy on plastic bags that became effective in 2007. This lead to many retailers charging a fee on plastic bags and consequently a reduction in plastic bag use.Johane Dikgang and Martine Visser: "Behavioral Response to Plastic Bag Legislation in Botswana", in Environment for Development Discussion Paper, May 2010
==== Eritrea ====
Eritrea banned plastic bags in 2005.Department of Environmental Protection Florida: "Retail Bags Report - List of Retail Bag Policies"
==== Kenya ====
Kenya banned the manufacture and import of plastic bags from January 2011 as a way to protect the environment. The 2007 ban intended for plastics below 30 microns failed after manufacturers and retail outlets threatened to pass on the cost of using other materials to consumers.
==== Mauritania ====
Mauritania banned the use, manufacture and import of plastic bags from January 2013 as a way to protect the environment, livestock, and marine species.
====Rwanda====
Rwanda prohibited shops from giving away plastic bags to their customers in 2004.
==== South Africa ====
Plastic bags were a major issue in South Africa before the bag levy was introduced in 2004. Although lightweight plastic bags were banned, this was never enforced and they remain heavily in circulation still today. The thicker plastic bags are taxed and although this move initially caused outrage for consumers, this inconvenience has long been forgotten and consumers use about 8 billion plastic shopping bags every year. http://www.econrsa.org/papers/p_papers/pp18.pdf 
====Tanzania====
The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar banned plastic bags in 2005. Tanzania introduced a nationwide ban on plastic bags in 2006.
====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, they have not been enforced and have failed to measurably reduce the use of plastic bags.
=== Asia ===
==== Bangladesh ====
A strict ban was introduced in Bangladesh in 2002 after the occurrence of floods from 1988 to 1998 that submerged two-thirds of the country in water. The cause was from littered plastic bags.
But plastic bags remains a big problem for sewerage system and waterways.
==== China ====
A total plastic bag ban on ultra thin plastic bags and a fee on plastic bags was introduced in China on June 1, 2008. This came into effect because of the problems with sewerage and general waste. The country now uses over 50% fewer plastic bags saving roughly 40 billion a year.
==== Hong Kong ====
Hong Kong forbids retailers from giving plastic bags under a certain thickness and for free. The use of plastic bags dropped 90% after the introduction of the levy.
thumb|A sign proclaiming that polythene bags thinner than 30 µm are prohibited in Kasaragod, Kerala, India.
==== India ====
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. However, enforcement remains a problem.
The state of Goa has banned bags up to 40 µm thick, while the city of Mumbai bans bags below a minimum thickness to 50 µm.
==== Israel ====
In 2008 a bill imposing a charge on plastic bags passed through the first reading in the Knesset but did not become a law. The average use of plastic bags in Israel in 2014 was 275 per person per year.Udasin, Sharon: "Knesset bills seeks to alleviate scourge of plastic shopping bags in Israel ", in The Jerusalem Post, 10 February 2014
==== Malaysia ====
Malaysia enforce taxes on plastic bags on every Saturday since 2011 in state of Selangor.
However, in Penang, taxes on plastic bags applies everyday.
==== Myanmar ====
In 2009, plastic bag factories in Rangoon were ordered by local authorities to stop production by the end of November or face heavy punishment, as the Burmese government looked to ban plastic bags. Rangoon was thus following in the footsteps of central Burma's Mandalay and the new capital Naypyidaw, both of which had eliminated plastic bags.
==== Taiwan ====
In January 2003, Taiwan banned the free distribution of lightweight plastic bags. 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. In 2006, however, the administration decided to begin allowing free plastic bags to be offered by food service operators.http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2006/12/18/2003340889
=== Europe ===
==== European Union ====
In November 2013, the European Commission published a proposal aiming to reduce the consumption of lightweight (thickness below 50 microns) plastic carrier bags. Under the proposal, EU member states can choose the most appropriate measures to discourage the use of plastic bags.
On 16 April 2014 the European Parliament passed a directive to reduce plastic bag use by 50% by 2017 and 80% by 2019."Europe votes to slash plastic bag use", ABC News, 17 April 2014
==== Denmark ====
In 2003, Denmark introduced a tax to retails for 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. In 2004, a similar law was passed by the Inatsisartut in Greenland, which applied a recycling tax on plastic bags.http://www.ina.gl/demokratihome/publikationer.aspx?docgallery=10554 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.
==== Germany ====
All stores in Germany that provide plastic bags must pay a recycling tax.
==== Ireland ====
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. The tax was increased to €0.22 in 2007. The revenue is put into an Environment Fund.What should be done about plastic bags?
==== Italy ====
In January 2011, Italy banned the distribution of plastic bags that are not from biodegradable sources.
==== United Kingdom ====
Major supermarkets in the UK introduced "bags for life", reusable bags that customers are encouraged to use instead of disposable plastic bags. In 2010 research was published that showed the potential for such bags to be harmful to health if not cleaned regularly, with traces of E.coli and salmonella discovered by researchers from the University of Arizona.
=====Wales=====
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. July 2012 statistics released by the Welsh Government suggested that carrier bag use in Wales had reduced since the introduction of the charge.
=====Northern Ireland=====
Northern Ireland introduced a 5 pence levy on almost all single use bags on 8 April 2013. The levy will be extended to reusable carrier bags with a retail price of less than 20 pence from 19 January 2014 as data from a number of retailers indicate that reusable bag sales have 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%.
=====Scotland=====
A five pence minimum charge for single-use carrier bags came into force in Scotland on 20 October 2014. The proceeds of the charge can be used by the retailers as they see fit. VAT will be collected by the government on every bag sold. The charge applies to bags of all materials, including those which are biodegradable. Bags for drugs, aquatic animals or containing goods bought on board a ship, train, aircraft, coach or bus will be exempt from the charge.The Independent, 20 October 2014
=====England=====
England, where no such charge is currently imposed, experienced a rise in usage in 2012. A 5 pence minimum charge for single use plastic bags is due to be introduced in England in October 2015 but will only apply to retailers with more than 250 employees. Unlike the rest of the UK, the English charge will not apply to paper bags or bags made from other natural materials.
=== North America ===
==== United States ====
While the territory of American Samoa, and the state of California have banned bags, there is currently no national plastic bag fee or ban currently in effect in the United States. Over 100 counties and municipalities have enacted ordinances either imposing a fee on plastic bags or banning them outright. California passed a law prohibiting their use in September 2014. Other attempts at banning plastic shopping bags state-wide (for example in Massachusetts) have not succeeded mainly due to plastic industry lobbying. A few jurisdictions have chosen to implement a fee-only approach to bag reduction by imposing a tax or a fee, such as Washington, D.C. and adjacent Montgomery County, Maryland.
State/Territory 	Municipality 	Jurisdictions covered 	Passage date 	Effective date 	Effect
Alaska 	 	 	 	 	
Alaska 	City of Bethel 	Bethel 	July 2009 	September 2010 	Plastic bag ban
Alaska 	City of Homer 	Homer 	August 2012 	January 2013 	Plastic bag ban.
Alaska 	City of Hooper Bay 	Hooper Bay 	 	August 2010 	
American Samoa 	American Samoa 	American Samoa 	January 2010 	February 2011 	Plastic bag ban for all wholesale and retail businesses.
California (Local bans only)	 	 	 	 	
California (Local bans only)	Alameda County 	Alameda 	January 2012 	January 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	Alameda County 	Albany 	January 2012 	January 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	Alameda County 	Berkeley, California 	January 2012 	January 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	Alameda County 	Dublin 	January 2012 	January 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	Alameda County 	Emeryville 	January 2012 	January 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	Alameda County 	Fremont 	January 2012 	January 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	Alameda County 	Hayward 	January 2012 	January 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	Alameda County 	Livermore 	January 2012 	January 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	Alameda County 	Oakland 	January 2012 	January 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	Alameda County 	Piedmont 	January 2012 	January 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	Alameda County 	Pleasanton 	January 2012 	January 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	Alameda County 	San Leandro 	January 2012 	January 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	Alameda County 	Union City 	January 2012 	January 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	Alameda County 	Unincorporated territories	January 2012 	January 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	City of Arcata 	Arcata 	- 	February 2014 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	City of Beverly Hills 	Beverly Hills 	April 22, 2014 	July 1, 2014 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	City of Calabasas 	Calabasas 	February 2011 	July 2011 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	City of Capitola 	Capitola 	January 2013 	April 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 25 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	City of Carmel-by-the-Sea 	Carmel-by-the-Sea 	July 2012 	February 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	City of Carpinteria 	Carpinteria 	March 2012 	July 2012 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	City of Culver City 	Culver City 	May 2013 	December 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	City of Cupertino 	Cupertino 	March 2013 	October 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	City of Dana Point 	Dana Point 	March 2012 	April 2013 	Plastic bag ban.
California (Local bans only)	City of Davis 	Davis 	November 2013 	July 2014 	Plastic bag ban.
California (Local bans only)	City of Davis 	Davis 	November 2013 	July 2014 	Plastic bag ban.
California (Local bans only)	City of Desert Hot Springs 	Desert Hot Springs 	March 2014 	September 2014 	Plastic bag ban. Small fee for paper bag.
California (Local bans only)	City of Fairfax 	Fairfax 	August 2007 	November 2008 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	City of Fort Bragg 	Fort Bragg 	May 2012 	December 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	City of Glendale 	Glendale 	January 2013 	July 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	City of Huntington Beach 	Huntington Beach 	April 2013 	November 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	City of Laguna Beach 	Laguna Beach 	February 2012 	January 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	City of Long Beach 	Long Beach 	February 2012 	January 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	City of Los Angeles 	Los Angeles 	June 2013 	January 2014 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	Los Angeles County 	Unincorporated territories	November 2010 	January 2012 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent minimum charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	City of Malibu 	Malibu 	May 2008 	May 2009 	Plastic bag ban.
California (Local bans only)	City of Manhattan Beach 	Manhattan Beach 	July 2008 	July 2011 	Plastic bag ban.
California (Local bans only)	Marin County 	Unincorporated territories	January 2011 	January 2012 	Plastic bag ban.
California (Local bans only)	City of Martinez 	Martinez 	- 	2014 	Plastic bag ban.
California (Local bans only)	Mendocino County 	Unincorporated territories	June 2012 	January 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	City of Millbrae 	Millbrae 	February 2012 	September 2012 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	City of Mill Valley 	Mill Valley 	October 21, 2013 	November 21, 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 5 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	City of Monterey 	Monterey 	December 2011 	June 2012 	Plastic bag ban; 25 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	City of Morgan Hill 	Morgan Hill 	October 2013 	April 2014 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	City of Ojai 	Ojai 	April 2012 	July 2012 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	City of Palo Alto 	Palo Alto 	 	September 2009 	Paper bags required as check-out option. Large retailers banned from distributing plastic bags.
California (Local bans only)	City of Palo Alto 	Palo Alto 	May 2013 	July 2013 	Full plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	City of Pasadena 	Pasadena 	November 2011 	July 2012 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	City of Pittsburg 	Pittsburg 	October 2013 	January 2014 	Plastic bag ban; phased charge for paper bags until 25 cents in the third year.
California (Local bans only)	City of Richmond 	Richmond 	July 2013 	January 2014 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	San Francisco City and County 	San Francisco 	April 2007 	 	Limited plastic bag ban.
California (Local bans only)	San Francisco City and County 	San Francisco 	February 2012 	October 2012 	Expansion of ban to cover all retail stores in 2012 and all restaurants in 2013. 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	City of San Jose 	San Jose 	January 2011 	January 2012 	Plastic bag ban; 25 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	San Luis Obispo County 	Arroyo Grande 	January 2012 	October 2012 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	San Luis Obispo County 	Atascadero 	January 2012 	October 2012 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	San Luis Obispo County 	Grover Beach 	January 2012 	October 2012 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	San Luis Obispo County 	Morro Bay 	January 2012 	October 2012 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	San Luis Obispo County 	Paso Robles 	January 2012 	October 2012 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	San Luis Obispo County 	Pismo Beach 	January 2012 	October 2012 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	San Luis Obispo County 	San Luis Obispo 	January 2012 	October 2012 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	San Luis Obispo County 	Unincorporated territories	January 2012 	October 2012 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	City of San Mateo 	San Mateo 	May 2013 	June 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	San Mateo County 	Belmont 	January 2013 	April 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	San Mateo County 	Brisbane 	March 2013 	April 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	San Mateo County 	Burlingame 	March 2013 	April 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	San Mateo County 	Campbell 	July 2013 	January 2014 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	San Mateo County 	Colma 	January 2013 	April 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	San Mateo County 	Daly City 	January 2013 	April 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	San Mateo County 	East Palo Alto 	April 2013 	October 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	San Mateo County 	Half Moon Bay 	March 2013 	April 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	San Mateo County 	Los Altos 	March 2013 	July 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	San Mateo County 	Los Gatos 	September 2013 	February 2014 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	San Mateo County 	Menlo Park 	January 2013 	April 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	San Mateo County 	Mountain View 	December 2012 	April 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	San Mateo County 	Pacifica 	December 2012 	April 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	San Mateo County 	Portola Valley 	January 2013 	April 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	San Mateo County 	Redwood City 	March 2013 	October 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	San Mateo County 	San Bruno 	January 2013 	April 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	San Mateo County 	San Carlos 	March 2013 	July 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	San Mateo County 	South San Francisco 	December 2012 	April 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	San Mateo County 	Unincorporated territories	November 2012 	April 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	City of San Pablo 	San Pablo 	October 2013 	January 2014 	Plastic bag ban. Ten cent fee for paper bag.
California (Local bans only)	City of San Rafael 	San Rafael 	March 2014 	September 2014 	Plastic bag ban. Ten cent fee for paper bag.
California (Local bans only)	City of Santa Barbara 	Santa Barbara 	October 2013 	December 2014 	Plastic bag ban. Ten cent fee for paper bag.
California (Local bans only)	Santa Clara County 	Unincorporated territories	April 2011 	January 2012 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	City of Santa Cruz 	Santa Cruz 	July 2012 	April 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	Santa Cruz County 	Unincorporated territories	September 2011 	March 2012 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	Santa Cruz County 	Unincorporated territories	October 2012 	April 2013 	Expansion of ban to restaurants.
California (Local bans only)	City of Santa Monica 	Santa Monica 	February 2011 	September 2011 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent minimum charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	City of Solana Beach 	Solana Beach 	May 2012 	June 2012 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	Sonoma County 	Cloverdale 	February 2014 	September 2014 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	Sonoma County 	Cotati 	February 2014 	September 2014 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	Sonoma County 	Healdsburg 	February 2014 	September 2014 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	Sonoma County 	Petaluma 	February 2014 	September 2014 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	Sonoma County 	Rohnert Park 	February 2014 	September 2014 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	Sonoma County 	Sebastopol 	February 2014 	September 2014 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	Sonoma County 	Windsor 	February 2014 	September 2014 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	Sonoma County 	Sonoma 	February 2014 	September 2014 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	City of South Lake Tahoe 	South Lake Tahoe 	October 2013 	February 2014 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	City of Sunnyvale 	Sunnyvale 	December 2011 	June 2012 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	City of Truckee 	Truckee 	November 2013 	June 2014 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	City of Ukiah 	Ukiah 	May 2012 	February 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	City of Watsonville 	Watsonville 	May 2012 	June 2012 	Plastic bag ban; 25 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	City of Walnut Creek 	Walnut Creek 	March 2014 	September 2014 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
California (Local bans only)	City of West Hollywood 	West Hollywood 	August 2012 	February 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
Colorado 	 	 	 	 	
Colorado 	City of Aspen 	Aspen 	October 2011 	May 2012 	Plastic bag ban for large retailers; 20 cent charge for paper bags.
Colorado 	City of Boulder 	Boulder 	November 2012 	July 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
Colorado 	City of Carbondale 	Carbondale 	October 2011 	May 2012 	Plastic bag ban for large retailers; 20 cent charge for paper bags.
Colorado 	Town of Telluride 	Telluride 	October 2010 	March 2011 	Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
Connecticut 	Town of Westport 	Westport 	September 2008 	March 2009 	Plastic bag ban. Defines acceptable "recyclable paper bag" alternatives.
District of Columbia 	Washington, D.C. 	Washington, D.C. 	June 2009 	August 2009 	Minimum 5 cent fee for plastic bags.
Hawaii 	 	 	 	 	
Hawaii 	Hawaii County 	Unincorporated territories	December 2011 	January 2013 	Ban on compostable and non-compostable plastic checkout bags. Allows plastic bags at least 3 mils.
Hawaii 	Honolulu City and County 	Honolulu 	2014 	July 2015 	Bill 10 in 2010 banned some plastic checkout bags but allowed biodegradable bags. Bill 38 in 2014 banned biodegradable plastic checkout bags but allowed compostable plastic bags. Plastic bags still allowed for carrying food and drinks, plastic bags at least 2.25 mils allowed.
Hawaii 	Kauai County 	Unincorporated territories	October 2009 	January 2011 	Ban on plastic checkout bags made with fossil fuels. Biodegradable bags allowed.
Hawaii 	Maui County 	Unincorporated territories	August 2008 	January 2011 	Ban on compostable and non-compostable plastic checkout bags. Allows plastic bags at least 3 mils.
Illinois 	 	 	 	 	
Illinois 	Chicago 	Chicago 	April 30, 2014 	August 1, 2015 (larger stores), August 1, 2016 (all stores)	Ban affects only chains and franchise stores. Reusable bags must be at least 2.25 mils.
Illinois 	City of Evanston 	Evanston 	July 28, 2014 	August 1, 2015 	Bans plastic bags less than 2.25 mils at chain and franchise stores over 10,000 square feet. Biodegradable bags allowed.
Maine 	Portland''' 	Portland 	June 2014 	April 15, 2015 	5-cent fee for single-use plastic (and paper) bags at pharmacies, and food and convenience stores, which is kept by the store.
Maryland 	 	 	 	 	
Maryland 	Town of Chestertown 	Chestertown 	April 4, 2011 	January 2012 	Plastic bag ban. Reusable bags must be at least 2.25 mils.
Maryland 	Montgomery County 	Unincorporated territories	May 2011 	January 2012 	Minimum 5 cent fee for plastic bags.
Massachusetts 	 	 	 	 	
Massachusetts 	Town of Brookline 	Brookline 	November 2012 	December 2013 	Plastic bag ban for larger stores (basically 2500 square feet). Reusable bags must be at least 2.25 mils.
Massachusetts 	City of Cambridge 	Cambridge 	Mar 30, 2015 	Mar 2016 	Plastic bag ban. Reusable bags must be at least 3 mils.
Massachusetts 	Town of Concord 	Concord 	Apr., 2015 	Jan. 1, 2016 	Plastic bag ban. Reusable bags must be at least 2.5 mils.
Massachusetts 	Town of Falmouth 	Falmouth 	Nov. 2014 	May 2016 	Plastic bag ban. Reusable bags must be at least 2.5 mils.
Massachusetts 	Town of Great Barrington 	Great Barrington 	May 2013 	2013 	Plastic bag ban. Reusable bags must be at least 2.5 mils.
Massachusetts 	Town of Harwich 	Harwich 	May 4, 2015 	May, 2016 	Plastic bag ban. Reusable bags must be at least 2.5 mils.
Massachusetts 	Town of Manchester-by-the-Sea 	Manchester-by-the-Sea 	April 2013 	January 2014 	Plastic bag ban. Reusable plastic bags must be greater than 2.5 mils.
Massachusetts 	Town of Marblehead 	Marblehead 	May 5, 2014 	May 2015 	Plastic bag ban. Reusable bags must be at least 3 mils.
Massachusetts 	City of Newburyport 	Newburyport 	Sep. 8, 2014 	Mar. 29, 2015 	Plastic bag ban. Reusable bags must be at least 3 mils.
Massachusetts 	City of Newton 	Newton 	Jan. 20, 2015 	July 2015 	Plastic bag ban for larger stores (basically 3500 square feet). Reusable bags must be at least 3 mils.
Massachusetts 	City of Northampton 	Northampton 	May, 2015 	Jan. 1, 2016 	Plastic bag ban. Reusable bags must be more than 3 mils.
Massachusetts 	Town of Provincetown 	Provincetown 	Oct 27, 2014 	April 15, 2015 	Plastic bag ban. Reusable bags must be at least 1.5 mils.
Massachusetts 	Town of Wellfleet 	Wellfleet 	April, 2015 	Jan. 1, 2016 	Plastic bag ban. Reusable bags must be at least 3.5 mils.
Massachusetts 	Town of Williamstown 	Williamstown 	May 19, 2015 	Nov., 2015 	Plastic bag ban including produce bags and dry cleaning bags. Reusable shopping bags must be at least 4 mils.
New Mexico 	City of Santa Fe 	Santa Fe 	August 2013 	January 2014 	Plastic bag ban thinner than 2.25 mm.
New York 	 	 	 	 	
New York 	East Hampton Village 	East Hampton Village 	August 2011 	February 2012 	Plastic bag ban.
New York 	Village of Mamaroneck 	Mamaroneck 	July 2012 	January 2013 	Plastic bag ban.
New York 	City of Rye 	Rye 	December 2011 	May 2012 	Plastic bag ban.
New York 	Village of Southampton 	Village of Southampton 	April 2011 	November 2011 	Plastic bag ban.
New York 	Village of Hastings on Hudson, Town of Greenburgh	Hastings on Hudson 	November 2014 	February 2015 	Plastic bag ban.
North Carolina 	 	 	 	 	
North Carolina 	Outer Banks 	Duck 	June 2009 	October 1, 2010 	Plastic bag ban. Reusable bags must be at least 2.25 mils. Paper bags must be at least 40% recycled.
North Carolina 	Outer Banks 	Kill Devil Hills 	June 2009 	October 1, 2010 	Plastic bag ban. Reusable bags must be at least 2.25 mils. Paper bags must be at least 40% recycled.
North Carolina 	Outer Banks 	Kitty Hawk 	June 2009 	October 1, 2010 	Plastic bag ban. Reusable bags must be at least 2.25 mils. Paper bags must be at least 40% recycled.
North Carolina 	Outer Banks 	Manteo 	June 2009 	October 1, 2010 	Plastic bag ban. Reusable bags must be at least 2.25 mils. Paper bags must be at least 40% recycled.
North Carolina 	Outer Banks 	Nag's Head 	June 2009 	October 1, 2010 	Plastic bag ban. Reusable bags must be at least 2.25 mils. Paper bags must be at least 40% recycled.
North Carolina 	Outer Banks 	Southern Shores 	June 2009 	October 1, 2010 	Plastic bag ban. Reusable bags must be at least 2.25 mils. Paper bags must be at least 40% recycled.
North Carolina 	Outer Banks 	Unincorporated territories	June 2009 	October 1, 2010 	Plastic bag ban. Reusable bags must be at least 2.25 mils. Paper bags must be at least 40% recycled.
Oregon 	Outer Banks 	 	June 2009 	October 1, 2010 	Plastic bag ban. Reusable bags must be at least 2.25 mils. Paper bags must be at least 40% recycled.
Oregon 	City of Corvallis 	Corvallis 	July 2012 	 	Plastic bag ban; 5 cent charge for paper bags.
Oregon 	City of Eugene 	Eugene 	October 2012 	May 1, 2013 	Plastic bag ban; 5 cent charge for paper bags. Reusable bags must be at least 4 mils.
Oregon 	City of Portland 	Portland 	July 2011 	October 2011 	Plastic bag ban. Reusable bags must be at least 4 mils.
Rhode Island 	Town of Barrington 	Barrington 	October 2012 	January 2013 	Plastic bag ban. Reusable bags must be at least 2.25 mils.
Texas 	 	 	 	 	
Texas 	City of Austin 	Austin 	March 2012 	March 2013 	Plastic bag and paper bag ban. Reusable plastic bags must be at least 4 mils.
Texas 	City of Brownsville 	Brownsville 	December 15, 2009	January 5, 2011 	Single-use bag ban. $1 charge per transaction for any number of single-use plastic or paper bags. Reusable bags must be at least 4 mils if plastic or 65# if paper.
Texas 	City of Dallas 	Dallas 	March 2014 	Jan. 2015 	5¢ fee for single-use plastic and paper bags. (Ban on all single-use bags on city property or city events.) Reusable plastic bags must be at least 4 mils.
Texas 	City of Fort Stockton 	Fort Stockton 	 	September 2011 	Plastic bag ban.
Texas 	City of South Padre Island 	South Padre Island 	January 2011 	January 2012 	Plastic bag ban.
Washington 	 	 	 	 	
Washington 	City of Bainbridge Island 	Bainbridge Island 	April 2012 	November 2012 	Plastic bag ban. 5 cent charge for paper bags.
Washington 	City of Bellingham 	Bellingham 	July 2011 	July 2012 	Plastic bag ban. 5 cent minimum charge for paper bags.
Washington 	City of Edmonds 	Edmonds 	 	July 2009 	Plastic bag ban.
Washington 	City of Issaquah 	Issaquah 	June 2012 	March 2013 	Plastic bag ban.
Washington 	City of Mukilteo 	Mukilteo 	December 2011 	January 2013 	Plastic bag ban.
Washington 	City of Olympia 	Olympia 	October 2013 	July 2014 	Plastic bag ban. 5 cent charge for paper bags.
Washington 	City of Port Townsend 	Port Townsend 	July 2012 	November 2012 	Plastic bag ban. 5 cent charge for paper bags.
Washington 	City of Seattle 	Seattle 	December 2011 	July 2012 	Plastic bag ban. Minimum 5 cent charge for paper bags.
Washington 	City of Shoreline 	Shoreline 	April 2013 	February 2014 	Plastic bag ban. 5 cent charge for paper bags.
Washington 	Thurston County 	Unincorporated territories	September 2013 	July 2014 	Plastic bag ban. 5 cent charge for paper bags.
Washington 	City of Tumwater 	Tumwater 	September 2013 	July 2014 	Plastic bag ban. 5 cent charge for paper bags.
Notes:
* The San Mateo County Environmental Impact Report also studied six cities in neighboring Santa Clara County. Campbell, Los Altos, Los gatos, and Mountain View opted to join San Mateo County's ordinance because of this.
* The City of Fort Collins, Colorado passed a 5¢ fee on single-use bags on August 19, 2014, and repealed it on October 21, 2014.
* Although the state of Hawaii does not ban plastic bags, all of its local jurisdictions do, effectively banning them statewide.
==== Canada ====
In Canada, the Toronto City Council voted to ban plastic bags, beginning January 1, 2013. Toronto city council voted on June 6, 2012, to ban plastic bags effective January 1, 2013, and to scrap the city's five-cent bag fee starting July 1, 2012. Industry groups have convinced city officials to include a grace period between January 1, 2013, and June 30, 2013, when no fines, only warnings, can be issued. The bag ban and five cent fee (six cents with HST) have both been overturned as of November 28, 2012 and it's up to individual retailers if they want to charge for plastic bags. Most stores, with the exception of a few national retailers do not charge.
State/Territory	Municipality 	Passage date	Effective date	Effect
Quebec 	 	 	 	
Quebec 	Deux-Montagnes	2009 	 	Plastic bag ban
Quebec 	Huntingdon 	2008 	 	Plastic bag ban including bags used for newspapers and flyers
==== Mexico ====
Mexico approved legislation to ban and fine plastic bags in August 2010. However, the legislation is not observed. Plastic bags are one of Mexico's biggest pollution problems.
=== Oceania ===
==== Australia ====
Although the nation does not ban lightweight bags, the states of South Australia, Tasmania, and the ACT and Northern Territory, along with some cities have independently banned the bag. Coles Bay, Tasmania was the first location in Australia to ban the bag. 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.
==== New Zealand ====
The government has not implemented measures to significantly lower the amount of bags, but some independent retailers have taken the approach to charge for plastic bags. In Christchurch, a kerbside program has been established to collect bags on roads and parklands to be recycled. As of 2011, Our Seas Our Future in Dunedin was campaigning to ban single use plastic bags.Ban Plastic Bags New Zealand
== Alternatives ==
Most lightweight bags are made from high density polyethylene (HDPE). A reusable but generally short-lived alternative is bags made from thicker low density polyethylene (LDPE), which are more expensive to produce. Bags can also be made from biodegradable materials that will generally break down quicker than HDPE. A common material is cornstarch.
Non-disposable alternatives include traditional shopping bags such as the string bag, shopping trolleys (not supermarket trolleys, but a soft bag mounted on a frame with wheels and a handle), and rucksacks.
==See also==
* Biodegradable bags
*Phase-out of incandescent light bulbs
* Sustainability
* Waste management
== References ==
== External links ==
* COAG Standing Council on Environment and Water
* EPHC on Plastic Bags
* Plastic Bag Ban Report | Plastic Bags, Ocean Debris & Environment