Reducing waste is a shared goal for retailers and communities alike. Members of the American Retailers’ Plastic Bag Alliance (ARPBA) have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in recycling innovations and education to support a more sustainable future. Yet experience from across the country shows that even well-intentioned plastic bag bans can fall short – and sometimes backfire.
More Plastic, Not Less
While bag bans may seem like a straightforward solution, data tells a different story. After New Jersey’s 2022 ban on single-use plastic and paper bags, total bag units dropped over 60%. However, plastic use nearly tripled, as retailers switched to thicker polypropylene “reusable” bags. Similarly, Washington’s statewide ban has led to a 17% increase in plastic use by weight due to heavier alternative bags.
Minimal Impact on Litter and Waste
Plastic retail bags make up only 0.5% of U.S. municipal waste (EPA) and account for under 1–2% of litter. In California, one year after the statewide bag ban and fee, plastic bag litter fell by just 0.2% as a share of total litter. These numbers suggest that bans alone do little to meaningfully reduce waste or litter.
Life-Cycle Impacts Matter
Research from Recyc-Québec, the Danish EPA, the UK Environment Agency, and Clemson University shows that lightweight plastic bags often have lower overall environmental impacts than paper or most reusable alternatives, unless those alternatives are reused many times. When shoppers shift to paper or non-woven polypropylene bags that aren’t reused enough, communities can actually see higher material use, energy consumption, and emissions, undermining the environmental benefits policymakers hoped to achieve.
A Better Approach: Education and Recycling
Rather than relying solely on bans, community education and access to recycling solutions have proven more effective. Tools like the Plastic Film Recycling map help shoppers find drop-off centers for plastic bags and film, encouraging proper recycling and reuse.
Retailers remain committed to sustainability, but solutions must be practical, science-based, and effective. Thoughtful approaches that combine education, innovation, and responsible recycling can reduce waste without creating unintended environmental consequences.
