The bans on plastic bags have always been driven by sentiment (even superstition): the environmental awareness that they are wasteful.
A recent study conducted in California by researchers who support the ban on single-use plastic bags has revealed an alarming trend. Contrary to expectations, the state’s decade-old law has resulted in an increase in plastic consumption rather than a reduction.
In a stunning revelation, it has been discovered that the amount of discarded plastic bags in Cali has reached an all-time high since the passing of the law in 2014. The weight of these bags has increased by nearly 74,000 tons, serving as undeniable evidence of the detrimental impact of plastic waste on the environment.
A recent study in New Jersey has revealed that plastic consumption at checkouts has nearly tripled since the state’s ban on single-use plastic bags in 2020. This finding challenges the belief that banning plastic bags automatically leads to a significant reduction in plastic waste.
Shoppers were taken by surprise when they discovered that their convenient, lightweight plastic bags were being replaced with sturdier bags that they had to purchase at the checkout. What made matters worse was that these new bags were also made of plastic.
Many individuals chose to purchase these bags once and then dispose of them, similar to what they had done with the single-use bags, rather than keeping and reusing them or recycling them as the banners had hoped.
The thicker bags are responsible for using a significantly larger amount of plastic compared to their previous counterparts, which leads to an increased accumulation of plastic in landfills. This is particularly concerning considering that many consumers made an effort to be environmentally conscious.
It is a common struggle for many people to find adequate storage space for their growing collection of thick plastic totes. Additionally, even the most organized individuals often find it challenging to accurately estimate the number of grocery bags they will need for their shopping trips. This is especially true if they forget to bring their own bags or if the shopping trip is unplanned.
They continue to discard a significant number of the heavier bags.
Lawmakers in California are not willing to accept that their bright idea of banning single-use plastic bags has backfired. Instead, they want to take it a step further and make it illegal for stores to sell thicker plastic bags altogether. Despite the unintended consequences of their initial decision, they are determined to push forward with this new restriction.
In 2020, New York attempted to address the issue by implementing a ban on both single-use and reusable plastic bags. However, it appears that this measure has not been entirely effective, as thicker and more harmful bags are still being offered in grocery stores throughout the state.
Bad ideas seem to be the only thing that gets recycled.
Will politicians who engage in green posturing ignore all of this and continue to pass laws that do more harm than good?
It’s a done deal.
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