Legislation is Supporting Reusable PP Shopping Bags

Countries, provinces, and states around the world are beginning to catch on to the fact that reusable shopping bags are a good decision both economically and environmentally. This realization is causing some to pass legislation that favors reusable bags over traditional paper or plastic bags. Some governments are going as far as outlawing the use of certain disposable bags in favor of the more sustainable ones. Reusable bag producers, consumers, business leaders, and politicians alike are beginning to further realize that the future of retail packaging is in the reusable bag.

In Mexico City, the capital of Mexico, leadership banned the distribution of plastic bag for stores in its city limits, according to CNN. They were upset about the amount of pollution in their city, and saw the ban of plastic bags as a way to improve conditions. Reusable shopping bag manufacturers produce much less pollution in creating their bag than plants that make plastic bags. This is just one of the many moves that Mexico City has made to improve living conditions.

In the United States, the entire state of California recently moved to ban plastic bags. This state is the most populated state in the U.S., and will result in 19 billion fewer plastic bags used per year, according to the NPR. However, they are not just stopping at that. Although paper bags will still be permissible, they will charge a $0.05 minimum fee per paper bag. That means that after just 10-20 shopping trips, it will be more cost efficient to use a reusable PP woven one. California typically leads environmental legislation trends in the U.S., so it would not be surprising to see other states follow with similar legislation shortly.

China, the world’s most populous country, is also working to reduce litter and phase out the use of plastic bags. They have several strict limits that encourage the use of reusable ones. According to the World Watch Institute, this could result in as many as 40 billion fewer plastic bags used per year.

Ireland has not banned any disposable bags, but they have still been able to incentivize the use of reusable shopping bags enough to cut disposable bag use by 90 percent, according to CNN. Instead of banning disposable bags, they have placed a surcharge on them, which makes it even more cost effective to use a PP shopping bag.

Prominent cities in India, Australia, Italy, South Africa, and Taiwan have also banned the use of plastic bags, while many other cities and countries are looking at imposing fees for the use of disposable bags. Other countries are looking at subsidizing purchases made from reusable shopping bag manufacturers in order to encourage the use of reusable bags.

Just like many other environmental reform laws, these laws favoring reusable bags are spreading the world at a rapid pace. Even if your region does not have any of these laws enacted, however, it is best for the global environment and economy to switch over to the sustainable reusable bags for everyday use.