California’s 2014 ban on plastic grocery bags, intended to reduce plastic waste, has ironically led to an increase in plastic bag waste in the state, according to findings reported by The Wall Street Journal.
A study by environmental and public interest groups titled “Plastic Bag Bans Work” admitted that the weight of plastic bag waste per capita in California rose after the ban was enacted. The study revealed that from 2014 to 2021, the amount of plastic bags discarded per 1,000 Californians actually increased.
This rise is attributed to the ban on thin, single-use plastic bags, which left consumers choosing between paper bags or heavier, multi-use plastic bags. However, a large number of people did not reuse these thicker plastic bags as anticipated, resulting in an overall increase in plastic waste.
In response, the California State Assembly and Senate are now considering legislation to address the issue by cracking down on these multi-use plastic carryout bags as well. However, the legislation does not address reusable bags made of non-woven polypropylene (NWPP), a plastic material that feels like canvas. Grocers have been selling these bags for about one to two dollars each.
The report also cited New Jersey’s experience with a similar plastic bag ban, which led to an increase in plastic consumption as NWPP bags ended up in the trash as well.
The plastic bag ban is one of many laws that has been passed by the state in recent years that crack down on the actions of everyday Califonrians in the name of environmentalism. California has also continued to push back on gas-powered vehicles, mandating that by 2035, the sale of all gas-power vehicles will be banned in the state.
