All articles tagged with #plastic bags
Starting January 1, Washington state implements new laws including extended unemployment benefits for striking workers, increased taxes on large businesses and technology companies, higher transportation fees, a nicotine tax, and measures to reduce plastic waste, along with new options for including blood type on IDs and requirements for movie captioning.
California will implement a statewide ban on single-use plastic bags starting January 1, 2026, allowing only recycled paper bags at checkout, with further restrictions on bag materials in the following years, aiming to reduce plastic waste and promote reuse.
Montgomery County will implement a law on January 1 that bans most stores from providing plastic bags, requiring shoppers to pay a 10-cent fee for paper bags, with revenue supporting environmental initiatives. Violations will result in fines, and the law aims to reduce plastic waste and protect local waterways.
Montgomery County will ban plastic carryout bags starting January 1, 2026, and impose a 10-cent fee on paper bags to reduce plastic pollution, with extensive outreach efforts to inform residents and businesses.
A study suggests that plastic bag bans and fees in the US have significantly reduced their presence on shorelines, especially in areas with higher initial litter levels, though overall plastic pollution continues to grow. Policies are more effective at the state level and in regions with severe litter problems, highlighting the importance of regulation in combating plastic pollution, but broader solutions are needed to address the entire issue.
A study using crowdsourced data from shoreline cleanups across the U.S. found that areas with plastic bag bans or fees have significantly fewer plastic bags littering lakes, rivers, and beaches, indicating that such policies are effective in reducing shoreline pollution.
Aldi has eliminated plastic shopping bags from all 2,300 of its US grocery stores, aiming to promote sustainability and reduce plastic usage. The decision will prevent nearly 9 million pounds of plastic from entering circulation annually. The retailer offers cloth bags for purchase and plans to use natural refrigerants in all US stores by 2035. Other retailers like Walmart, Stop & Shop, and Wegmans have also taken steps to eliminate plastic bags and promote the use of reusable alternatives.
ALDI has eliminated plastic shopping bags from all of its 2,300 U.S. stores, saving nearly 4,400 tons of plastic from circulation each year. Cloth bags are available for purchase, and the retailer aims to use natural refrigerants in all its U.S. stores by 2035 to reduce carbon emissions. This move aligns with ALDI's commitment to environmental sustainability and cost reduction, reflecting its position as one of America's fastest-growing retailers.
Aldi has announced that it will no longer provide plastic shopping bags in its stores starting in January 2024, making it the first major U.S. retailer to do so. Customers will need to bring their own reusable bags or purchase them in the store. This move is part of Aldi's commitment to sustainability, with the goal of saving over 4,400 tons of plastic from circulation each year. Additionally, the grocery chain aims to transition to natural refrigerants across all U.S. stores by 2035 to further limit its environmental impact.
Aldi has eliminated plastic shopping bags in all 2,300 of its US grocery stores as part of its commitment to promoting sustainability. The decision aims to reduce the usage of plastic bags and encourage customers to bring their own reusable bags. This move is expected to prevent almost 4,400 tons of plastic from entering circulation annually. Aldi also plans to use natural refrigerants in all US stores by 2035 to support a healthier planet and keep products fresh. Other retailers like Walmart and Wegmans have also taken steps to eliminate plastic shopping bags and promote the use of reusable bags.
Aldi has achieved its goal of eliminating plastic bag sales at all of its 2,300 U.S. stores, making it the first major retailer in the country to do so. The move is expected to prevent over nine million pounds of plastic from entering circulation annually. While plastic bags are no longer available for purchase, Aldi will continue to offer paper bags and encourages customers to bring their own. Additionally, the company is transitioning to environmentally friendly refrigerants at all locations by 2035, with approximately 600 stores already using these systems, resulting in a 60% reduction in potential carbon emissions. CEO Jason Hart emphasized the company's commitment to sustainability and passing on cost savings to customers.
Aldi has become the first major U.S. retailer to eliminate plastic shopping bags from its 2,300 stores, aiming to save over 4,400 tons of plastic annually. Shoppers will need to bring their own reusable bags or purchase them at the checkout, with the goal of removing all plastic shopping bags by the end of 2023. Additionally, Aldi plans to switch to environmentally friendly refrigerants by 2035, emphasizing its commitment to sustainability and cost reduction passed on to customers.
The national online recycling directory for plastic bags and plastic films, known as the Film Drop-Off Directory, has been taken offline after 20 years of operation. The decision was made due to a lack of real commitment from the industry and a funding shortage to maintain credible information on the site. An ABC News investigation revealed that many plastic bags dropped off at Walmart and Target stores listed on the directory were sent to landfills and incinerators instead of being recycled. The investigation played a part in calling attention to the problems, but the decision to shut down the directory was also influenced by larger issues, including greenwashing. The American Chemistry Council's Wrap Recycling Action Program, which initially funded the directory, has also gone offline.
The national online recycling directory for plastic bags and plastic films, known as the Film Drop-Off Directory, has been taken offline after 20 years of operation. The decision was made due to a lack of funding and a perceived lack of commitment from the industry to address the supply and demand imbalance in plastic recycling. An ABC News investigation earlier this year revealed that many plastic bags dropped off at Walmart and Target stores listed on the directory were not being recycled. The directory, which was once promoted by the Environmental Protection Agency and funded by the American Chemistry Council, aimed to provide a resource for the public to find store drop-off locations for plastic bag and film recycling.
Lancaster Township in Pennsylvania's Lancaster County has passed an ordinance banning single-use plastic bags, which will take effect on January 1, 2024. The ban applies to grocery stores, pharmacies, corner stores, and all other retailers, who will be required to post warning signs 30 days prior to the ban. After the ban, retailers can charge for paper bags, and those still using plastic bags will face a daily fine of $500 for non-compliance. The township received minimal feedback from commercial businesses regarding the ordinance.