A topline summary

2002 marked the 25th anniversary of the plastic shopping bag. In this short period of time worldwide consumption has reached an estimated 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags per year. This enormous consumption has created several problems including: large volumes of pollution and wind-blown litter, significant resource consumption (primarily oil), high cost to retail industry (estimated at $30 billion annually) passed along to consumer in the form of higher prices. Ultimately, all these "free" bags cost both consumers and the environment plenty.

Around the world governments and consumers are uniting in a growing backlash aimed at substantially reducing the use plastic bags. From restricting their use through intelligent taxes where consumers are charged at the checkout counter for each bag consumed (Ireland, South Africa, Denmark, Germany, parts of Japan) to banning outright (Bangladesh, Taiwan) - the movements are snowballing.

Introduced in 2002, Ireland's PlasTax was extremely successful and has reduced Ireland's plastic bag consumption by 90+%. It has been widely accepted by both consumers and retailers as a smart way to address problems surrounding plastic bags. As a result, several other regions, including Great Britain, Australia and San Francisco, are looking into implementing similar programs.

To learn more visit our Top Facts and Newsroom