Case studies on Successful Plastic Ban

1. Africa:

According to John-Paul Iwuoha, a Huffington Post writer and African entrepreneur, “while
plastic shopping bags are popular around the world as a cheap and effective means of
transporting small items, my findings reveal – quite surprisingly – that Africa is making more
progress than others in getting rid of plastic shopping bags, and replacing them with more
sustainable and environment-friendly alternatives.”

He’s absolutely right. Africa is leading the pack on the plastic bag ban revolution, and handily
so. This is mainly due to their direct experience with the dark side of plastic bags, which pose a
grave threat to their livestock and wildlife while also contributing to increased pollution levels,
leading to clogged drainage systems, which later serve as birthing grounds for Malaria carrying
mosquitos.

Of Africa’s 55 recognised states, at least 7 – Rwanda (2004), Eritrea (2005), Tanzania (2006),
Mauritania (2013), Morocco (2015), Senegal (2016), and Kenya (2017) – have implemented a
complete and total ban on the usage of plastic bags, while over 15 countries from the land of
the Sahara apply either a partial ban and/or tax.

https://zerowasteeurope.eu/2017/07/ditching-plastic-bags-a-lesson-from-africa/

Africa takes the plastic bag problem very seriously; more than 15 countries on the continent
have either banned them completely or charge a tax on them. Before the first ban was
introduced in 2003, South Africa had actually declared plastic bags their 'national flower' due to
their overwhelming presence in trees and bushes. How sad! Here are some of the countries in
Africa that have bans or taxes in place:

 Kenya
 Mali
 Cameroon
 Tanzania
 Uganda
 Ethiopia
 Malawi
 Morocco
 South Africa
 Rwanda
 Botswana

Because there is a black market for plastic bags and people still use them illegally, concrete
statistics about the efficacy of bans and taxes in Africa are hard to nail down. Just after the ban,
plastic bag use in South Africa dropped 90%, though illegal use has increased gradually since
then.

Kenya:

In August 2017, in a notice that is considered one of the most stringent in the world on plastic
use — visitors flying from abroad had to leave plastic bags at the airport and fines are several
times the average national wage — the East African country banned a wide range of products.

This is Kenya’s third attempt in 10 years at a plastic ban. In Kenya, plastic manufacturers argued
against the ban, saying that 80,000 jobs will go.

Kenya’s government gave citizens a six-month window to adjust to the ban, to shift to other
products and to dispose of plastic in their possession. During this period, the country did not
enforce the fines and prison sentence on violators.

Kenya’s anti-plastic law was considered draconian, with imprisonment terms up to four years
and fines up to several times the national per capita income (Kenya’s average annual income
was around 1,500 US$ in 2016, according to the World Bank – India’s income is a little higher),
but the government ignored the criticism.

Kenya’s main environmental agency, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA)
has declared the ban a success, so much so that the country’s neighbours like Rwanda, Uganda,
South Sudan, Tanzania and Burundi are considering similar bans.

A senior NEMA official told a British newspaper that animals are ingesting less plastic. Abattoirs
used to find plastic bags in the bowels of three out of every 10 animals; the number is now one
in 10, the official said. Stray cattle and wild animals accidentally ingesting plastic is a concern in
India too. Fishermen on Kenya’s Indian Ocean coast and Lake Victoria are finding less plastic
bags entangled in their nets. A senior NEMA official was quoted by a British media agency as
saying that the opposition from plastic manufacturers has reduced. The companies are now
coming by themselves to offer solutions, the official said. The Kenyan government is planning a
detailed study to find out the impact of the ban.

The head of the United Nations Environment Programme has said that Kenya’s success should
encourage other countries to ban plastic bags and other single-use plastics.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/maharashtra-should-be-encouraged-by-
kenya-s-plastic-ban-success/story-pzxet2cwSqHnzABssNQB0H.html

Asia
Prior to the 2008 Olympic Games, China placed a ban on all thin plastic bags and began
requiring retailers to charge a tax on thicker bags. The Chinese government has said that this
has led to a two-thirds reduction in plastic bag use. Other countries in Asia that have bans or
taxes in place include Bangladesh, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and
Taiwan.

Australia

Australia as a whole doesn't have a ban on plastic bags; however, several states and territories
have begun to put bans in place, including the Northern Territory, South Australia, and
Tasmania.

Europe

Europe has been very active in its fight against plastic bags. In 1994, Denmark was the first
country to begin charging a tax on them. Following the introduction of the tax, usage dropped
from around 800 million to approximately 400 million bags per year. Ireland, who began
charging customers for plastic bags in 2002, saw a 90% reduction in usage and litter after the
tax was put into effect. Recently, the European Union has said that it wants to see an 80% drop
in plastic bag use by 2019, which means that all European countries will need to be on board.
Other countries that currently have measures in place include:

 England
 Italy
 Wales
 Scotland
 Germany

North America

Sadly, the United States has not yet put a ban on plastic bags into effect. However, Mexico and
some Canadian provinces and territories have measures in place. Also, an increasing number of
U.S. states and cities have taken matters into their own hands. For example, in 2014, California
became the first state to ban plastic bags and charge for paper bags. Other areas that are
fighting the use of plastic bags with either bans, taxes, or special recycling programs include:

 Hawaii
 District of Columbia
 Seattle
 Maine
 New York
 Rhode Island
 Puerto Rico
South America

Certain areas in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Colombia have taken measures to reduce plastic
bag use, such as using only biodegradable bags and implementing recycling programs. Again,
statistics showing how well measures work are hard to nail down since not everyone is
compliant.

https://study.com/blog/which-countries-have-banned-plastic-bags.html

Every time a city inundates in deluge, the primary reason seems to be the drains getting choked
with plastic. Low weight plastic carry bags that are of low recycling value end up on roadsides
or garbage dumps, causing water logs during unexpected rains. The health impacts of plastic
are numerous. All this together prompted the government to issue a draft notification on
plastic ban.

But can plastic be banned effectively? There are many cities in India that have banned plastic to
some extent. We studied Chikmagalur and Mangaluru examples to see the effectiveness of
plastic ban, and the practical hurdles in the implementation.

While the ban continues in Chikmagalur despite lack of clarity over its effectiveness, the same is
not the case with Mangaluru where the implementation went astray within a year. Perhaps,
these two examples give insights into the things to be considered while implementing the ban,
and the challenges ahead.

Plastic ban in Baba Budan Giri

In 2010, Chikmagaluru district administration banned the use of plastic carry bags. On a pilot
basis, the district administration and local city municipal council first implemented the ban in
Baba Budan Giri, a well-known pilgrimage centre. A check post was installed at the entrance of
the hill, where the municipal workers collected all types of plastic carry bags from pilgrims and
replaced it with cloth and other alternative bags.

As a first step, no penalty was imposed on those using plastic carry bags, but an attempt was
made to create awareness by collecting plastic bags from people and replacing it with other
bio-degradable bags.

In 2011, the district administration went a step further by imposing a strict ban on the use, sale
and storage of plastic carry bags, cups, plates and sheets. Though the ban was applicable
throughout Chikamagalur district, it was implemented only in the city limits due to lack of
monitoring mechanism in small towns of the district.

Nagabhushan, who was the Chikmagaluru City Municipal Council Commissioner till recently,
said that plastic ban has been satisfactorily implemented in Chikmagaluru. “We used to conduct
raids on shops selling banned plastic products once or twice a week. Penalty on those who
violate the rule ranges from Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000,” he says.

A journalist based in Chikmagaluru (who wanted to remain anonymous) told this reporter that
though plastic ban has not been implemented cent per cent in Chikmagalur city, the usage has
reduced to a great extent. “There is definitely an awareness among people to avoid the use of
plastic. Plastic carry bags are not thrown here and there and are not dumped by the roadside.
People largely depend on cloth bags as an alternative to plastic,” he observed.

A Bengalurean, Deepthi Suresh who had recently visited Chikmagaluru came back with a
positive note about the town. “The best thing about Chikmagaluru city is that nowhere can you
find plastic carry bags thrown here and other,” she observed.

Rekha Chari, a resident of Malleshwaram, was returning from a holiday trip via Chikmagalur.
She decided to buy spices from the city, and went to M G Road there. “As we went from shop
to shop, I pleasantly noticed that none of the shopkeepers were offering plastic covers for the
smallest of purchases. I got talking to them. They spoke to me about the plastic ban in the
town, which had been unanimously accepted by all merchant establishments,” she says.

Plastic manufacturing lobby wins in Mangaluru

The plastic ban in Chikmagalur was initiated during the tenure of IAS officer N S Channappa
Gowda who was then deputy commissioner of Chikmagaluru district. The same officer was
transferred to Dakshina Kannada district later, where he introduced plastic ban in 2012.

Unlike in Chikmagaluru, the plastic ban in Mangaluru met with strong resistance from plastic
manufacturers. Chikmagaluru does not have any plastic industry, whereas Mangaluru has
highest number of plastic manufacturers next to Bengaluru. Facing the threat of adverse effect
on their business, plastic manufacturers led by Canara Plastics Manufacturers and Traders’
Association approached the High Court and succeeded in bringing a stay.

In an order, the High Court Judge observed that the district administration can only prevent
manufacturers from selling plastic products less than 40 microns. This order was based on the
Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2011, that mandated plastic carry bags above 40 microns.
The order also mandated strict measurement of the thickness of plastic, by the administration
before imposing fine on any trader.

Finally the petition was disposed of by the High Court of Karnataka. As manufacturing plastic
carry bags above 40 microns is perfectly legal, there is no clarity over whether the blanket ‘ban’
on plastic bags of all categories will be legally justified and can stand in the court of law.

Analysing the challenges in implementing the ban on plastic use, Channappa Gowda, who is
now Secretary in the Department of Fisheries and Animal Husbandry, said that enforcing the
ban in a small city like Chikmagaluru was easier compared to Mangaluru. “It is going to be much
difficult to implement the ban in Bengaluru as it demands strict monitoring. The two factors
that should be considered while implementing the ban are, creating awareness and strict
enforcement. If not complete ban, at least we succeeded in reducing the public consumption of
plastic in day to day lives. The same could be done in other cities as well,” he told Citizen
Matters.

Speaking about addressing plastic issue in coordination with plastic manufacturers, he said:
“When we decided to ban plastic in Mangaluru, the manufacturers came forward with a
proposal to collect plastic waste from the city, but they never turned up even after repeated
requests.”

Even in Bengaluru, a few months ago plastic manufacturers assured the BBMP of co-operating
in imposing the ban on plastic below 40 microns and collecting the plastic back in fixed centres.
They demanded that the BBMP provide the required facilities to do it. Thereafter nothing has
moved forward.

How did the eight-month plastic ban in Mangaluru go?

Though the plastic ban was implemented in Mangaluru for a short span of less than a year (till
the HC’s interim order), the ban was implemented successfully, believe the officers who were
involved in it. Manjunath Shetty, who was the environment engineer of the Mangaluru City
Corporation during the ban period, said that the administration had teamed up with
homeguards, health and environment engineers to carry the raids on shops selling banned
plastic items.

“For eight months, the teams went on inspection twice a day. The first-time offenders were
warned, second time they were penalised and third time we published their names in
newspapers. It was embarrassing for the shop keepers to see their names appear in papers.
While small shop keepers were happy not to store plastic bags as customers used to bring
biodegradable bags with them, big shops started charging high price for paper bags. This is how
people started avoiding the use of plastic,” he said.

Recalling how people were open to the idea of plastic ban, he said there was a positive vibe
among public towards the initiative. “Generally people are in support of plastic ban as long as
we give them an alternative. The only resistance came from public is for banning the plastic
that is used to carry fish. That issue too was solved by introducing water proof cloth bags,” the
officer explained.

He also explained how the quantity of plastic in landfills dropped owing to plastic ban. “The ban
reflected how the landfill issue too could be solved with the reduction in plastic use. Though for
a short time we were able to succeed in banning plastic use, we had to succumb to the plastic
lobby. The success of enforcement of the ban also depended on officials who were in-charge of
the city administration. I don’t think it is impossible to legally fight in favour of plastic ban, if the
public sentiment on plastic ban is conveyed to the court effectively,” he noted.
A study of plastic ban in Delhi, Chandigarh and Sikkim

A Toxics Link study assessing the impact of complete ban on plastic carry bag in 2014, reveals
how the states and union territories have failed to effectively implement the ban on plastic
bags. The study cites the reasons for ineffective ban, ranging from slack enforcement by the
administration to lack of cost-effective alternatives. Toxics Link made a case study of three
states, namely: Delhi, Chandigarh and Sikkim.

In all the three states, the survey found that despite a blanket ban on use of plastic carry bags,
they were being used widely by both vendors and consumers. However, compared to Delhi and
Chandigarh, the ban has been implemented quite effectively in the capital city of Sikkim.

“Even while comparing 100 pieces of 9 x 12 plastic bags with 6 x 12 paper bags, plastic bags
would cost Rs 20 cheaper than the paper ones. Until this price gap is minimised, alternatives
may not be a very viable option for vendors, especially the smaller ones,” the report observed.

Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand too have restricted the use of plastic, however the
effectiveness is not known, as most of the plastic comes from the tourists who find it
convenient to carry the essential stuff.

Some of the observations made in Toxics Link report are:

 The ban was effective only in the early days of notification. But as the monitoring
reduced, the usage went up again. Fines or penalties were not being imposed, resulting
in weak implementation of the ban.
 Alternatives like paper were being used, but their durability was an issue.
 Jute and cloth bags were popular only in brand shops as their costs are high.
 The plastic bags were routinely disposed of along with other municipal waste, finally
ending up in dumpsites, roads, drains and landfills.
 Though the production of plastic bags has come down or stopped in these regions, the
bags are coming from neighbouring states.

Plastic ban in other countries

A Business Standard Report says that Ireland levied a tax on the use of plastic bags in 2002,
causing an over 90 per cent reduction in the use of plastic carry bags. China imposed a fee in
2008 on plastic bags, thereby restricting free distribution, which reportedly led to a curb in
demand by two-thirds.

Several other countries such as Australia, Bangladesh, South Africa, Thailand and some states in
the US, have taken similar measures with varying degrees of success.

A study conducted by research scholars at Delhi School of Economics, throws light on how the
countries like Denmark and Ireland brought down the plastic production and consumption by
introducing levy on consumers and tax on producers. Denmark was the first country to
introduce mandatory levies on plastic bag manufacturers in 1994. The policy was perceived as
largely successful since it reduced plastic bag use by 66 per cent.

The study makes some observations on policy implications:

 Enforce with credible information about penalties both for shop owners and consumers.
 Blanket ban may not be the best solution under weak institutional enforcement.
 A combination of standards and right incentives can bring down the use of plastic bags.
 Impart information highlighting environmental impacts of plastic products usage which
can significantly influence consumer behaviour.
 Subsidies in cash or kind (in the form of reusable bags) and explicit pricing could lead to
lower bag use.

With all these plastic ban cases before us, perhaps time is ripe for the government to take cue
from the success and failure stories, while implementing the much debated proposal.

http://bengaluru.citizenmatters.in/plastic-ban-bangalore-karnataka-problems-hurdles-7951

One of the most affected by the use of plastics is marine life. According to studies, our oceans
currently carry 19 billion pounds of plastic. What is even more surprising is that this number is
expected to double by as soon as 2025. The end result of this is the destruction of biodiversity
including the decimation of marine life and coral reefs. While a single plastic bag may seem
insignificant, it must be kept in mind that every single plastic counts when the health of our
planet is hanging in the balance.

• While close to 40 countries have imposed a ban on the use, manufacture, and importation
of single-use plastic bags, Kenya has been known to have successfully imposed the most rigid
ban. As per a law put into effect on August 28, 2017, anyone caught creating or importing
plastic bags will be subjected to four years in prison or will be liable to pay a fine between
$19,000 and $38,000.

• The country of Rwanda in a welcome effort to expand the reach of its plastic bag ban, not
only gave tax breaks to companies which chose to recycle instead of producing plastic bags, but
it also created a whole new market for biodegradable plastic bags.

• After an agreement was signed between the Ministry of Local Affairs and big supermarket
chains on March 1, 2017, Tunisian activists in large numbers introduced campaigns to spread
awareness regarding greener policies. The campaigns have paid off and the plastic ban in
Tunisia has received phenomenal response from the general population.

• Hong Kong has been able to reduce its plastic footprint considerably ever since it started
levying a 50 per cent plastic bag charge from April 1, 2015. Some reports even claim that the
use of plastic bags in the country has dropped by 90 per cent since the ban.
• From an average usage of 275 plastic bags per person each year, the use of plastic bags in
Israel have reduced dramatically ever since the imposition of a widely followed ban on plastic
products in January of 2017. As per the law, retailers in the country have been asked to charge
consumers NIS 0.10 for each plastic bag with handles. Some reports indicate that the charges
levied were able to bring down the consumption of plastic bags by 80 per cent within the first
four months.

• Cracking down on the manufacturing of plastic bags, Rangoon in 2009 directed local
authorities to stop production by end of the year. All manufacturers were warned that failure
to comply would result in significant prison time.

• Taiwan while imposing a ban on lightweight plastic bags in January of 2003, introduced an
interesting alternative. The country advised retailers and departmental stores to replace plastic
bags with recycled paper boxes.

• In a move that brought about significant change in the country's plastic footprint, Germany's
'Green Dot' program has proven efficient. As per the program, stores in Germany providing
plastic bags are liable to pay a recycling tax the proceeds of which are used for environmental-
awareness programs.

• Levied on consumers at the point of sale, Ireland's tax on plastic bags has resulted in a
reported 90 per cent of consumers using a single bag for their needs, within a year of
imposition.

• The "Zero Waste" program in Australia has led to significant reduction in the use of plastic
bags in the continent. While the nation has not banned lightweight plastic bags, a number of
states have banned the use of plastic. An estimated 400 million plastic bags are saved each
year, indicate reports.

https://www.timesnownews.com/mirror-now/in-focus/article/maharashtra-plastic-ban-other-
countries-plastic-bag-use/242635

Plastic Bag Bans in Various Countries

There are a lot of problem associated with plastic bags, which is why bans or fees are in place in
many countries. The oldest is in Denmark, which started in 1993, whereby charges are levied
for the use of plastic bags. This made use drop by 60% quite quickly.

Ireland has perhaps the best known measure, which is the 2002 ‘bag tax’. Consumers would
have to actually purchase bags. This resulted in a 90% drop in bag usage and a great reduction
in litter. By 2007, usage was rising again, which led to an increase in the price of bags.

Ireland and Denmark are just two successful examples and many other countries across the
world are following suit. The European Union will require an 80% reduction of plastic bags by
2019. This means virtually every European country is now considering ways to bring about
reductions.

The main driver behind bag bans is to lower how much plastic finds its way into the marine
world. About 94% of all birds have plastic in their stomachs, which is also found in the stomachs
of many endangered species. At least 267 different species of animals have suffered as a result
of ingestion of or entanglement with plastic. In fact, these results caused Australia to ban bags
locally in 2003, in an effort to protect the migrating whales in Tasmania.

There are other reasons to ban bags as well. In Kenya, for instance, it is done to stop the spread
of Malaria. In Bangladesh, the Philippines and Cameroon, it protects the sewage systems and
avoids floods. In Texas and Indian communities, it is done to protect the cow. In Mauritania, for
instance, 70% of sheep and cattle deaths are related to plastic ingestion. The same concern
exists for camels in the United Arab Emirates.

Rwanda perhaps has the strictest strategy. Their ban started in 2008, and passengers often
have to hand over all their plastic bags. Unfortunately, no statistics exist on the effectiveness of
this ban. South Africa recognizes bags in trees and bushes as their national flower. They banned
certain bags by 2003 and taxed thicker ones. Botswana put up a fee in 2007 and retailers have
reported a 50% drop in bag usage. Some 16 countries on the African continent have bag bans
and taxes in place.

China, not known for its environmental concerns, actually started to limit the use of plastic bags
in the 1990s, albeit not successfully. By 2008, a law went into effect in line with the Olympic
Games, which banned the thinnest bags and started a fee for thicker ones. Compliance is still
not very good. Other Southeast Asian countries have also come up with reduction legislation.

In this country, there are 133 different anti-bag regulations, city and county wide. Some 30% of
Californians are covered by this, as are almost all Hawaiians. Chicago banned bags in 2014.
Washington, DC and Dallas charge for bags, paper and plastic. This was due to bags finding their
way into the rivers. Canada has voluntary anti-bag actions and incentives for stores and
consumers have dropped bag usage by some 50%. Plastic bags are no longer used in Nova
Scotia, Quebec and Manitoba.

Certain cities in Chile and certain parts of Argentina and Brazil only use biodegradable bags. Sao
Paulo banned single use bags in 2012 and charged for biodegradable bags. Unfortunately, this
measure was removed. Mexico City banned bags in 2009. However, plastic manufacturers
heavily protested this and the measure was repealed before it was actually enforced. Instead, a
recycling initiative was instated, which is something plastic industry groups use regularly to
avoid fees and bans.

It is no secret that plastic bags cost our world a lot, and that we are still paying for the many
years of plastic bag usage. People should commit to reducing how many bags they use, taking
their own bags when they go shopping, for instance. While governments do work towards
helping us with that, we do also have to accept some personal responsibility towards saving the
planet ourselves.

https://www.reusethisbag.com/articles/plastic-bag-bans-worldwide/

France

Policy: In July 2016, France banned free distribution of thin single-use plastic bags typically
distributed at grocery stores. A ban of thin green bags used for produce followed in January
2017. The bans aim to reduce an estimated five billion plastic grocery bags, and 12 billion
produce bags. The French Minister of Sustainable Development noted the importance of
reducing plastic pollution to reduce its disastrous effects on marine environments.
Impact: Like most bans on plastics, it has received backlash from the plastic industry. Bio-
sourced and biodegradable bags made from a cornstarch and plastic blend have been proposed
as a solution to potential negative economic impacts of the ban. In 2016, the French
Environment Minister estimated more than 3,000 jobs would result from production of a
greener alternative to traditional, single-use grocery bags. The newest addition to the Energy
Transition for Green Growth Act proposes a ban on plastic plates and utensils, to be further
discussed in 2020.

Mexico

Policy: Although Mexico does not have a federal ban on plastic bags, many cities and states are
taking action to reduce plastic pollution. In 2009, Mexico City introduced legislation to prohibit
retailers from distributing single-use non-biodegradable plastic bags. Industrial hub Queretaro
became the first municipality in Mexico to ban plastic bags, in April 2018. Cancun, a center for
tourism, has proposed a plan to eliminate plastic bags, straws, and water bottles, initially
through voluntary action.
Impact: Queretaro intends to strictly enforce the ban by confiscating illicit bags, and denying
business license renewal for offenders. Mexico City’s plan was met with pushback from the
plastic industry, but the city has persevered in its mission to reduce plastic pollution with a
recycling initiative. Officials expect Cancun’s plan to be implemented over the next three years,
with intentions to enact a full ban within this time frame.

Canada

Policy: Montreal implemented a ban on plastic bags with thickness less than 50 microns in
January of 2018. Several other municipalities in Canada have followed suit. Victoria intends to
ban plastic bags in July of 2018, and Vancouver has also expressed interest in reducing their
plastic consumption with a tax or ban. Edmonton has asked businesses to charge for plastic
bags, and is reevaluating a ban proposed in 2012.
Impact: The bans on plastic in Canada are relatively new, or still in the process of
implementation. Canadian governments have allowed for a six-month grace period for
businesses to come into compliance with the new legislation before strictly enforcing the ban.
The plans hope to reduce the billions of plastic bags used in Canada every year.

Rwanda

Policy: Rwanda implemented a strict plastic bag ban in 2008. Previously, plastic bags were
primarily disposed of by incineration, negatively impacting Rwandan air quality. Bags that were
not incinerated clogged streets and waterways.
Impact: The bag ban has been strictly enforced due to challenges posed by smugglers and
tourists entering the country. Illegal use of plastic bags can result in fines or jail time. Strict
enforcement has had positive impacts on the environment, reducing flooding, harm to wildlife,
and erosion.

Ireland

Policy: Ireland was the first country to place a significant tax on plastic bags — now 22 euro
cents — at checkout in 2002. For the few bags that are used, the government has ensured that
the revenue from the tax goes into different programs aimed at environmental protection.
Impact: The country saw a significant impact almost instantly, with plastic bag consumption
dropping by 94%, making the practice of using plastic bags unacceptable by the end of the year.
Having inspired other countries to address this issue, Ireland is one of the leading countries
tackling plastic bag consumption.

Morocco

Policy: After a partial ban in 2009, Morocco’s law fully banning plastic bags came into effect in
July 2016. In the attempt to make plastic bag pollution nearly impossible, this law does not only
cover the distribution of plastic bags, but also the import and production of them. To effectively
enforce the ban, there are fines ranging from $20,000 to more than $100,000 USD placed on
manufacturers and distributors who break the law.
Impact: As the second largest consuming country of plastic bags, it’s no surprise that adhering
to the ambitious law has taken time. The government is responding to the challenges the
plastic bag ban poses by ensuring that plastic bag alternatives are easily accessible.

European Union

Policy: On January 16, 2018 the European Commission adopted the first-ever European
Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy. The plan seeks to eliminate plastic pollution and
change the way plastics are produced and consumed in the EU, with a focus on plastic bags,
other single-use plastics, and fishing materials. The plan also seeks to improve the economic
benefit of recycling, to create jobs through engaging businesses and producers, and to invest in
innovation.
Impact: The European Commission will begin to introduce regulations and measures to the
European Parliament in 2018 and 2019, including a proposal on the regulation of single-use
plastics, packaging waste, and port waste management. The Strategy for Plastics in a Circular
Economy will play an important role in the EU achieving its 2030 Sustainable Development
Goals and commitments to the Paris Agreement. By 2030 all plastic packaging produced and
sold in Europe should be reusable or recyclable. Other 2030 targets include 65% recycling of
municipal waste, 75% recycling of packaging waste, and a binding agreement to reduce landfill
waste to a maximum of 10% of municipal waste.

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

#CleanSeas Campaign: UNEP launched the CleanSeas campaign in 2017 to engage stakeholders
from all sectors to fight pollution of plastics in the ocean. Plastic pollution has now reached the
deepest parts of the oceans and pieces of plastic are expected to outnumber fish by 2050. The
goal is to address the root causes of plastic pollution, primarily the production and
consumption of single use plastics. To date, more than 40 countries have signed on to the
campaign.
#BeatPlasticPollution Campaign: The #BeatPlasticPollution campaign is the focus of the 2018
World Environment Day organized by the UN. Beat Plastic Pollution, which overlaps with the
CleanSeas campaign, also targets single-use plastics and pushes consumers to follow the motto:
“If you can’t reuse it, refuse it.”

https://www.earthday.org/2018/04/20/lessons-from-the-countries-fighting-to-kick-the-plastic-
bag-addiction/