Plastic bags are a major source of litter. Is it right to ban them?

We have been tracking the issue of plastic bags for some time. You might be interested in the view of the Association of Plastics Manufacturers in Europe (APME) on this topic.



Plastics packaging, including bags, provides a major contribution towards resource savings and has an important role to play in reducing packaging intensity.



When discarded without thought, plastic bags do indeed represent one of the most visible forms of litter. In addition to the aesthetic aspects, they have been associated with harming wildlife and blocking drains. In such circumstances one can be sympathetic to the calls for bans or taxes on such products to encourage the use of more ‘eco-friendly’ materials. However, the ubiquitous plastic bag, provided free by the supermarket or fast food outlet does represent a very efficient use of resources compared to most alternatives, as it serves its purpose with only a minimum of material. The challenge is to modify the public behaviour so as not to litter and encourage where possible re-use (eg as garbage bag) prior to either controlled disposal or – preferably- energy recovery. Other possibilities include encouraging the use of stronger re-usable bags which are replaced free of charge after the first purchase, thereby facilitating collection for mechanical recycling. Bans on plastic bags will not solve the general problem of litter. In addition, bans may lead to the introduction of other materials which have overall a more negative impact on the environment.

Littering is a social behaviour issue, which to varying degrees affects all regions, materials and sectors.

Littered lightweight plastic bags are highly visible in the environment and are a problem in many regions.

The use of economic instruments to address the litter issue requires careful consideration and stakeholder consultation.

The plastics industry is committed to supporting proactive schemes, and promoting best practices, which help to solve the littered bag problem and alleviate litter in general

Supporting information for general position



Resource savings – Plastic materials are champions of prevention and there are many examples of the resource savings, which accrue from the use of these highly cost-effective materials. In the packaging sector, innovation, leading to enhanced properties of plastics materials and design ingenuity, has led to a steady decrease in the unit weight of plastics packaging. In Europe today plastics packaging makes up less than one fifth of all packaging (by weight) and yet packages over half of the consumer goods.

When considering the contribution that a product or service makes towards sustainable development, it is important to take into account the impacts and benefits of a system throughout its total life cycle. The waste management or end-of-life phase, although important, usually only represents a very minor element in the overall life impact.

Carrier bags provide a valuable service and plastic bags have been successful owing to their excellent property profile and their resourceefficiency

Plastic carrier bags, often regarded as one-trip items, have multiple re-use opportunities.



Litter – All materials are an issue, to varying degrees according to region; – Although plastics bags represent less than one percent of litter they are a very visible contributory element and therefore the plastics industry is committed to working with involved parties to help provide solutions by involvement in appropriate initiatives; – awareness and education campaigns are of paramount importance; – legislation which targets offenders should be enforced; – improvements to municipal facilities and waste management systems are important aspects of the solution.

Economic instruments Where the use of economic instruments is considered, they should be based on a full understanding of the relevant facts. They never should be used to discriminate between sys