A Los Angeles Times editorial is asking for a "do over" in the plastic bag ban that actually led to more plastic waste, according to a recent report. In fact, the study finds, the total amount of trash from plastic bags that California sends to landfills has never been higher . A "loophole" allowed businesses to offer thicker "reusable" plastic bags at checkout for a small fee, but many consumers threw those out after a single use as well. In 2014, California tossed about 157,385 tons of plastic bag waste into the trash. The problem, they claim, was fueled by the pandemic, when the plastic bag ban was suspended because of sanitary concerns.

Source: Los Angeles Times August 07, 2024 01:17 UTC