How Banning Single-Use Plastic Bags Can Help Curb Plastic Pollution

Unlike organic materials, such as paper and glass, plastics don’t fully biodegrade.

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The world produces approximately 430 million metric tonnes of plastics every year, with the majority being single-use plastics. Shockingly, less than 10% of these plastics are recycled, leaving a massive volume to pollute the environment and pose serious health risks to humans and wildlife.

Unlike biodegradable materials such as paper and glass, plastics do not fully decompose. Over time, they break into microplastics, contaminating the air we breathe, water, soil, and even our food. Studies show that these microplastics, along with chemicals released from plastics, accumulate in body organs and can lead to significant health problems.

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Plastic bans are increasingly seen as a practical solution. In the United States, 12 states and numerous local governments have banned single-use plastic bags, while the European Union has prohibited items like plastic straws, cutlery, and earbuds. Many other countries have introduced similar legislation.

Research indicates that these bans have delivered measurable benefits. For example, plastic bag fees and bans in the U.S. have led to a 25–47% decline in plastic bag litter on shorelines, highlighting the effectiveness of policy interventions in reducing environmental pollution.

As global plastic production continues to rise, policymakers and environmental groups are calling for broader adoption of plastic bans and recycling initiatives to mitigate long-term ecological and health impacts.