Aug 11 - UK Report Shows Support for Plastic Bag Laws

Opponents of plastic bag laws often say that bans and fees are the wrong solution to decrease bag consumption and litter because they don't "change consumer behavior," but a UK study may indicate otherwise.

According to WRAP (Waste and Resource Action Programme), between 2006 and 2010, the use of plastic bags in the UK has dropped 40%. Not surprisingly, countries with bag bans or fees in place had a decreased consumption rate while countries without such regulation had higher rates.

An article in Resource Recycling states that the British Retail Consortium "described the findings as 'encouraging in the context of rising sales and changing shopping habits' and points to the overall decline of plastic bags as an example of consumers and grocers working together positively on the issue."

To read about plastic bag victories in California, and what we’re doing now on the issue, visit our website.