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United States
San Francisco
In 2007, bans petroleum-based bags in large grocery and drug stores — the first law of its kind in the U.S. Before the ban, 180 million plastic shopping bags were distributed in San Francisco each year.
Alaska
30 villages have banned plastic bags.
Washington, D.C.
In 2010, customers will be charged 5 cent per plastic bag at grocery, drug, convenience and liquor stores.
Los Angeles
Beginning July 2010, there will be a 25 cent charge per plastic bag.
Hawaii
Ban on plastic bags to go into effect in Maui on January 2011.
North Carolina
The North Carolina Senate recently passed a ban on single use plastic and non-recyclable paper bags. The ban is scheduled to take effect in three coastal counties on September 1, 2011.
New York City
Is proposing a 5 cent fee for each bag used.
Connecticut
Is considering a 5 cent fee for both paper and plastic. The bill could raise as much as $10 million per year for the Environmental Protection Department.
Maryland
Pushing for a 5 cent fee that would pay for clean up efforts in the Chesapeake Bay and Anacostia River.
Seattle
Currently debating the issue of charging for plastic bags.
Colorado
First U.S. state to propose a state-wide tax on plastic bags.
Other cities debating the issue include Portland, Austin, Bakersfield, Boston, New Haven, Edmonds, Phoenix, Annapolis, Berkeley, Oakland, Baltimore, Santa Cruz, Santa Monica and Manhattan Beach.
International
2008 Australia
Announces plan to phase out distribution of free plastic bags by year’s end. Major retail chains had already voluntarily cut plastic bag use by 45 percent between 2003 and 2005.
2008 China
Bans production of ultra-thin bags and forbids stores to distribute plastic bags for free. Prior to the June ban which occurred 2 months prior to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the country used about 3 billion plastic bags each day.
2007 France
Paris bans plastic bags in large stores; a nationwide restriction is slated for 2010.
2007 Canada
Leaf Rapids became the first municipality in North America to adopt a law forbidding the use of plastic bags by shops.
2003 India
Cities of Mumbai and Delhi, along with Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, and Maharashtra states, each introduce total or partial bans to prevent flooding.
2003 South Africa
Bans ultra-thin plastic bags and taxes thicker ones. Subsequently, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda introduce their own total or partial bans.
2002 Bangladesh
Bans plastic bags in its capital, Dhaka, labeling them a culprit in recent floods.
2002 Ireland
The country introduces a consumer “PlasTax” of 15 cents per plastic bag. Consumption dropped by 94 percent; within a year, tax raises $9.6 million for environmental initiatives. In July 2007, Ireland raised the fee to 32 cents.
2001 Taiwan
Bans thin plastic bags and sees a 77 percent drop in use over three years.
1994 Denmark
Imposes tax on plastic bags and consumption declines 66 percent.
Germany
Stores provide consumers with the option of a plastic bag or a tote for a fee.
United Kingdom
Town of Modbury eliminates disposable plastic bags.
Sweden
The government is encouraging plastic bag producers to continually develop greener bags.
We urge you to follow their lead and advocate for change locally.
Please keep us updated on any progress in the fight against consumer waste at info@envicorp.com.
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