Due to a 5 cent tax imposed on plastic bags by Washington DC from January this year, the number of plastic bags handed out by supermarkets and other convenience stores has reduced by a huge amount. Compared to a previous monthly average of 22 .5 million, the usage in January was only 3 million. This scheme has not only reduced plastic landfills by a huge amount, but also the $150,000 revenue collected will be used to clean the Anacostia River. This law states that any bakeries, drugstores, convenience stores, and any kind of stores that sell foodstuffs have to charge the tax on paper or plastic bags. This law has already been very effective in restricting the use of plastic bags and making people aware of their disadvantages.
The revenue which will be generated from this scheme is supposed to be used for environmental schemes. This law should inspire other countries to implement such policies to reduce the growing amount of plastic waste.
[treehugger]