Americans use 102 billion plastic bags annually, with less than 1% recycled. Plastic bags are the second dirtiest item and contribute to the 10% of plastic waste in the US. They are not biodegradable and pose a risk to soil and water. Ireland’s plastic bag use dropped by 90% after implementing a charge.
Americans use about 102 billion plastic bags each year, yet less than 1% of them are recycled. Plastic bags are the second dirtiest item after plastic bottles, according to research. The amount of plastic waste in the United States has increased from less than 1% of municipal waste in 1960 to more than 10% at the turn of the 21st century. Plastic bags aren’t biodegradable, so they’re at a high risk of causing soil or water problems if left in landfills, because more than three-quarters of all landfills are thought to have at least one leak.
More information on waste:
If all the paper and plastic cups and cutlery disposed of each year in the United States were placed back-to-back, it would go around the equator about 300 times.
California spends approximately $8.5 million US dollars (USD) annually to clean plastic bags off the streets.
After Ireland started charging for plastic bags in 2002, their use dropped by 90%. The average Irishman uses less than 30 bags a year.
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