We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
The paradox of plastic bag legislation: How bans and taxes affect PM2.5 air pollution in 208 countries
Summary
Researchers analyzed plastic bag regulations in 208 countries and found that outright bans generally reduce fine particle (PM2.5) air pollution, while plastic bag taxes unexpectedly increase it — likely because alternative bags require more energy-intensive production. The findings reveal that poorly designed plastic policies can create unintended environmental trade-offs.
Widespread use of plastic bags contributes to elevated air pollution levels worldwide, prompting various regulatory measures such as bans and taxes aimed at reducing plastic pollution. The objective of this study was to analyze the impact of these plastic bag bans and taxes on PM2.5 air quality across 208 countries from 1960 to 2021, using Fixed Effects, Driscoll and Kraay, and GMM models. Results indicate that bans generally reduce the population's exposure to PM2.5 above WHO guidelines, but increase exposure above the Interim Target-1, while reducing it above Interim Target-3 in some models. Conversely, taxes on plastic bags significantly increase both mean annual PM2.5 exposure and the proportion of the population exposed to levels surpassing all WHO targets. The combined effect shows a decrease in exposure due to bans, except for an increase above Interim Target-3, while taxes increase exposure across all measures. These findings highlight complex interactions between plastic bag policies and air pollution, emphasizing the need for careful policy design. While plastic bag bans effectively reduce PM2.5 exposure, taxes on plastic bags unexpectedly increase it, emphasizing the need for carefully designed policies to prevent unintended increases in air pollution.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Effectiveness of intervention on behaviour change against use of non-biodegradable plastic bags: a systematic review
Researchers systematically reviewed government policies aimed at reducing single-use plastic bag consumption, finding that outright bans and higher consumer taxes are significantly more effective than regulations based only on bag thickness. The results show that well-designed public policy can shift consumer behavior toward more sustainable choices, though the behavioral changes can fade without ongoing reinforcement.
Postmaterialism and Environmental Protection Revisited: Domestic Plastic Bag Regulations, 1992–2019
Researchers used a hazard model to analyze plastic bag regulations across 133 countries from 1992 to 2019, finding that Global South countries that imported plastic waste were more likely to adopt domestic plastic bag bans or fees, challenging the postmaterialism hypothesis that wealthy countries lead environmental regulation.
Developing Countries in the Lead—What Drives the Diffusion of Plastic Bag Policies?
Researchers analysed the diffusion patterns of plastic bag bans and taxes across both developed and developing nations, finding that developing countries have predominantly adopted outright bans — more stringent legislation than the taxes favoured in the Global North. In the Global South, visible national pollution pressure drove policy adoption, while global public pressure was the key driver in high-income countries.
Impact of Policy Design on Plastic Waste Reduction in Africa
This paper is not about microplastics; it analyzes the design and effectiveness of single-use plastic bag policies across 39 African countries, identifying policy gaps that allow plastic waste to persist despite widespread bans.
A proibição de distribuição de sacolas plásticas descartáveis: uma análise a partir da proteção ambiental e da liberdade econômica
Researchers examined the constitutional legality of Brazilian state and municipal laws banning disposable plastic bags, concluding that such bans are materially constitutional because environmental protection — including reducing microplastic pollution that has been detected in the human body — takes precedence over economic freedom claims.