Q&A: The Latest in the Battle Over Plastic Bag Bans
A decade ago, California became the first U.S. state to ban single-use plastic bags, and eleven states as well as some territories followed suit. But some 18 other states have gone in the opposite direction and even blocked local cities and towns from prohibiting single use plastic bags. Judith Enck, former EPA Regional Administrator and president of Beyond Plastics, spoke with Living on Earth about the battle over bag bans—and how to get them right.
Why Walmart Is Eliminating Single-Use Bags in Some States but Not Others
Walmart will eliminate single-use paper and plastic carryout bags at the register from stores in New York, Connecticut and Colorado this month. The company previously stopped giving out single-use plastic bags in New York and Connecticut and in some areas in Colorado. Walmart offers reusable shopping bags starting at 74 cents for customers without their own bags.
‘Astounding’ Results From NJ’s Plastic Bag Ban, 6 Months In
Just six months into a statewide ban on single-use paper and plastic bags, billions of these bags have avoided circulation in New Jersey, advocates say. By the middle of next year, it's estimated that the state's law will have saved more than 8 billion bags, at food stores alone, from entering the cycle, and eventually waterways and landfills.
California Expands Plastic Producer Probe Into Bag Manufacturers
California's attorney general on Wednesday sent letters to top plastic bag manufacturers requesting information about their claims that the bags they produce are recyclable, the latest move by the state to scrutinize the plastics industry and their role in the global plastic pollution crisis.
Plastic Bags Are Supposed to Be Recyclable in California. The Attorney General Suspects They Are Not.
Nearly a decade ago, a California law required manufacturers of plastic bags to make their bags recyclable. The state’s top cop says this doesn’t appear to be happening. On Wednesday, Attorney General Rob Bonta sent letters to seven plastic bag producers that supply the bulk of California’s grocery stories, demanding they provide proof that their bags can really be recycled.
New York Banned Plastic Bags Two Years Ago. Why Are They Still Everywhere?
Once ubiquitous, they’re now nowhere to be seen. Or at least, that’s what was supposed to happen when New York banned plastic bags for most uses in 2020. Yet two years later, many New York City supermarkets — not to mention smaller markets and bodegas — continue to distribute plastic bags as they always have.
Plastic Bag Ban Violators Getting Away with Breaking Law as Enforcers Check Out
State regulators charged with overseeing the ban on single-use plastic shopping bags are overwhelmed by complaints, with more than 300 reported violators yet to be checked on, data obtained by THE CITY shows.
Plastic bag ban isn't turning out as lawmakers envisioned
Democratic lawmakers in Delaware are complaining that grocery stores and other retailers are exploiting a "loophole" in a new law prohibiting the use of certain plastic bags when the businesses are actually doing exactly what the law requires.
A year into ban, plastic bags still an issue
It’s been just about a year since lawmakers banned reusable plastic bags, but the battle continues.
DEC bungled plastic bag ban so badly state must pay plaintiffs' court costs, judge rules
New York’s rollout of its plastic bag ban last year was so muddled and confusing that a judge awarded court fees to the plaintiffs who had sued over the prohibition.
Walmart to go 'bagless' February 15
Walmart is converting all Vermont stores to bagless, effective February 15.
Plastic bags banned in N.J. as Murphy signs new law
Gov. Phil Murphy on Wednesday signed a new law banning businesses from handing out single-use plastic bags, polystyrene food containers, plastic straws and paper bags in New Jersey.
New Jersey Legislature Passes ‘Most Comprehensive’ Plastics Ban in the Nation
New Jersey is one step closer to passing what environmental advocates say is the strongest anti-plastic legislation in the nation.
New York to begin enforcing plastic bag ban on Oct. 19, 2020
New York state’s environmental agency will begin enforcing a ban on single-use plastic bags at grocery stores and other retailers on Oct. 19, more than seven months after the law took effect.
NJ Legislature passes nation's toughest ban on plastic and paper bags. Here's what it does
The state Legislature passed a sweeping measure Thursday that would ban plastic bags from stores and restaurants and single-use food and drink containers made from polystyrene foam, The New York Times reported.
New Jersey Moves Closer to Restricting Single-Use Plastics
The New Jersey legislature has joined a handful of state legislatures enacting restrictions on plastic bags and polystyrene foam containers to cut back on plastic waste.
Will Coronavirus Be the Death or Salvation of Big Plastic?
How the coronavirus pandemic has impacted the projections for plastic production.
Breaking down the Danish study on the environmental impacts of grocery carrier bags
In this article, I am going to break down this scientific paper for you in a digestible way so that you are better informed about the study. Additionally, I will also point out issues which the online articles failed to capture, and where the research authors could have engaged in further discussion in order to clarify the assessment result of the organic cotton bag.