Plastic bags have lobbyists. They're winning.

[douglas9]

TRENTON, N.J. — The plastic shopping bag has long been hunted by state and local policymakers pushing for its extinction. But still it thrives, thanks to the deep-pocketed chemical industry that birthed it and the political influence of retailers and restaurants. Only eight states ban single-use plastic bags. Nearly twice as many have laws protecting them.

To take on a global and well-heeled industry, U.S. environmentalists have adopted a strategy of winning hyper-local grassroots victories to build momentum to ban the bag and other plastics. The approach helped California environmentalists win a referendum to uphold a bag ban in 2016, and, in 2019, legislation to phase out plastic hotel toiletry bottles.

Other states are attempting to follow suit. New York is implementing a bag ban passed in 2019, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants to do away with plastic foam. In New Jersey, at least 46 municipalities already limit plastic bag use, and the Legislature last week was on the verge of passing a statewide ban on bags and polystyrene food containers.

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Single-use plastics have also become a target in Canada, where Prince Edward Island in July became the first province to prohibit businesses from providing plastic bags to customers. Newfoundland and Nova Scotia will follow suit this year. In Montreal, a ban on single-use plastic bags took effect two years ago, and Vancouver will ban the bag starting in January 2021.


https://www.politico.com/news/2020/01/20/plastic-bags-have-lobbyists-winning-100587

[douglas9]

1. China to ban single-use plastic bags and straws

One of the world's biggest users of plastics is seriously rethinking its environment policy. Beijing hopes to cut plastic waste by 30% in five years, banning single use plastic bags and straws.

China, one of the world's biggest producers of plastic waste, is set to introduce a ban on all non-degradable plastic bags and single-use straws in major cities.

As part of a plan to drastically reduce plastic pollution, China's government said the production and sale of disposable foam and plastic tableware, often used for takeout, and single-use plastic straws used in the catering industry will be banned by the end of the year.

Disposable plastic products should not be "actively provided" by hotels by 2022.

The changes were outlined in a document released on Sunday by China's National Development and Reform Commission and the Environment Ministry. The changes are part of a move to achieve a 30% reduction in non-degradable, disposable tableware for takeout in major cities within five years.

https://www.dw.com/en/china-to-ban-single-use-plastic-bags-and-straws/a-52065123