The value of plastic bag bansThe value of plastic bag bans

Plastic bag bans and taxes are sweeping the U.S. and Europe. The goal: Steer shoppers away from one-and-done bags made from fossil fuels. The result: energy savings and less litter. Opponents, however, fear bag bans and taxes will hurt retail sales and eliminate manufacturing jobs. So are they effective? Here’s what the numbers show.

79
Number of California cities and counties that have passed plastic bag bans or taxes as of August

95%
Reduction in single-use bag
consumption in Los Angeles County since banning plastic bags in 2012

3.3%
Average sales decline at stores located in Los Angeles County’s bag-ban zones; sales at stores outside the ban’s jurisdiction jumped 3.4 percent

60%
Reduction in plastic bags found in San Jose, Calif., streams since the city’s 2011 Bring Your Own Bag ordinance

30,000
American manufacturing jobs threatened by proposed plastic bag bans and taxes