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Ananalysisoftheeffectiveness

ofplasticbagbans

WrittenbyKatherineMaloneyforeCoexist

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Contents

Introduction.............................................................................................................................................3

Examplesofsuccessfulplasticbagbans...................................................................................................4

California..............................................................................................................................................4

AustralianCapitalTerritory(ACT).........................................................................................................7

Sikkim...................................................................................................................................................9

Examplesofunsuccessfulplasticbagbans............................................................................................11

Delhi..................................................................................................................................................11

Kenya..................................................................................................................................................12

Michigan.............................................................................................................................................15

Generalissueswithexistingbanswithsuggestions...............................................................................17

1. Enforcement...............................................................................................................................17

2. Alternatives................................................................................................................................19

3. Blackmarketactivity..................................................................................................................22

4. Loopholes..................................................................................................................................23

5. Collectionanddisposal...............................................................................................................24

Benefitsofplasticbagbans....................................................................................................................25

ConclusionofConsiderationsforPune..................................................................................................26

Casestudies............................................................................................................................................28

Casestudy1–Reusablebagsandhygiene........................................................................................28

Casestudy2-SagasMitraAbihyan,Pune..........................................................................................31

CaseStudy3:Umuganda,Rwanda.....................................................................................................32

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IntroductionSingleuseplasticbagsareofgrowingconcernworldwide.Manycountriesaroundtheworldhaveimplementedtotalbans,partialbansorleviestoreducetheuseofsingleuseplasticbags.

[]Plasticbagsbanned[]Ataxonsomeplasticbags

[]Voluntarytaxagreement[]Partialtaxorban(regionallevels)

Figure1:Mapshowingthephaseoutoflightweightplasticbagsaroundtheworld1InIndiatheMinistryofEnvironment,ForestsandClimateChangeintroduceacountrywidebanonthemanufactureanduseofplasticcarrybagslessthan8inchesx12inchesinsizeand40microninwidth.Stategovernmentsarealsorequiredtoregisterallplasticmanufacturingunits,sothatthesecanberegulated.ManyIndianstateshaveindependentlyplacedfurtherrestrictionsonplasticbags.ForexamplethestatesandcitiesofMaharashtra,Punjab,Rajasthan,HimachalPradesh,Delhi,GoaandWestBengalamongothers,havebannedtheuseofplasticbags.Theextentofthesebansvariesbetweenregionsfromi)partialbanstoii)completebans.

i. ForexampleinHimachalPradeshin2003bagswiththefollowingpropertieswerebanned:o Asizelessthan18x12inchesandathicknessoflessthan70micronso Composedofnonbiodegradablematerials

ii. AlternativelyintheunionterritoryChandigarhtherehasbeencompletebanontheuse,storage,manufactureandsaleofplasticbagssince2008.2

InmostregionsinIndiawherebansareinplacetheyhavebeenineffective,thebiggestissuesare;thelackofenforcementandunavailabilityofviablealternativestoplastic.TheseproblemsarenotlimitedtoIndia,theyaresharedglobally.Therearemanycountriesworldwidewhohaveimplementedplasticbagsbans,manyofwhichhaveexperiencedchallenges.Thisreportwillassesstheeffectivenessofanumberofexistingbans.ThroughanalyzingthesecasestudieseCoexistaimstoidentifythemainissuesbansencounterandprovidesolutionstotacklethese.

1https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phase-out_of_lightweight_plastic_bags2http://toxicslink.org/docs/Full-Report-Plastic-and-the-Environment.pdf

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Examplesofsuccessfulplasticbagbans

CaliforniaIn2015CaliforniabecamethefirstUSstatetobansingleuseplasticbags.Beforethismorethan150municipalitiesinCaliforniapassedlocalbagbans,includingthecitiesofSanDiego,SolanaBeach,SanJose,DelMarandOceanside.AseachmunicipalityhasdifferentlevelsofrecordedsuccesswewillfocusontheresultsinthecityofSanJose.Heretheban,knownasthe‘BringYourOwnBagOrdinance’cameintoeffectonthe01/01/2012.3

Startdateofban

July2015

Plasticbagsincludedinban

1. Singleuseplasticbags(SUPBs)–“meansabagotherthanaReusableBagprovidedatthecheckstand,cashregister,pointofsaleorotherpointofdepartureforthepurposeoftransportingfoodormerchandiseoutoftheestablishment."Single-UseCarry-OutBags"donotincludebagswithouthandlesprovidedtotheCustomer:(1)totransportproduce,preparedfood,bulkfoodormeatfromaproduce,deli,bulkfoodormeatdepartmentwithinastoretothepointofsale;(2)toholdprescriptionmedicationdispensedfromapharmacy;or(3)tosegregatefoodormerchandisethatcoulddamageorcontaminateotherfoodormerchandisewhenplacedtogetherinaReusableBagorRecycledPaperBag”

Plasticbagsexemptfromban

1. Paperbagsmadefromatleast40%recycledmaterialsforaminimumchargeof$0.10

2. 1/07/2015-storeswereallowedtogiveoutcompostablebagsforaminimumchargeof$0.10

3. 01/07/2015-astore,maysellordistributeareusableplasticbagtoacustomerifthereusablebagmeetsfollowingrequirements:

i. Hasahandleandisdesignedforatleast125usesii. Hasavolumecapacityofatleast15liters.iii. Ismachinewashableormadefromamaterialthatcanbecleaned

anddisinfected.iv. Hasprintedonthebag,oronatagattachedtothebagdisclosing

bagspecificsandinstructionsforrecyclingv. Doesnotposeathreattopublichealthbycontainingcontainlead,

cadmium,oranyothertoxicmaterial.vi. ItmustberecyclableinthestateofCaliforniaandacceptedinthe

storesrecyclingprogramvii. AsofJanuary1,2016,bagsshouldbemadefromaminimumof

20%postconsumerrecycledmaterial.AdditionallyasofJanuary1,2020,theminimumwillincreaseto40%.

4. Areusablegrocerybagthatisfromanyothernaturalorsyntheticfabric(notplasticfilm),mustcomplywithallofthefollowing(aswellastherequirementsmentionedaboveforreusablebags):i. Itshouldbesewn.

3http://www.sanjoseca.gov/index.aspx?NID=1526

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ii. Itshouldcarry22poundsoveradistanceof175feetforaminimumof125uses.

iii. Itshouldhaveafabricweightofatleast80gramspersquaremeter.

Extentofban

1. AsofJuly1,2015storesthathaveaspecifiedamountofsalesindollarsorretailfloorspacewillbeprohibitedfromprovidingasingle-usecarryoutbagtoacustomer

2. Additionally,afterJuly1,2016theseprohibitionsandrequirementsalsoapplytoconveniencefoodstores,foodmarts,andentitiesengagedinthesaleofalimitedlineofgoods,orgoodsintendedtobeconsumedoffpremises,andthatholdaspecifiedlicensewithregardtoalcoholicbeverages.

Preparationforban

1. In2006Californiapassedlegislationrequiringretailstorestoadoptat-storerecyclingprograms.Bagsmustbelabeledwithrecyclinginstructionsandstoresmustprovidethefacilitiesforthemtoberecycledsoconsumerscaneasilydisposeofthem.

2. Thebillpassed(forthestateofCalifornia)madealoanof$2,000,000availabletothedepartmenttocreateandretainjobsandtomanufactureandrecyclereusableplasticbagsinCalifornia.4

Alternativestoplasticbags

• Businessescanprovidepaperbagsmadefromatleast40%recycledmaterial,compostablebagsandreusablebags(whichmeetthestaterequirementssetout)foraminimumchargeof$0.10.Thechargeistodiscourageuseofpaperbagsandencourageuseofreusablebags.

Enforcementofban

• EveryRetailEstablishmentshallkeepcompleteandarecordofthepurchaseandsaleofanyRecycledPaperBagforaminimumperiodofthree(3)yearsfromthedateofpurchaseandsale.Thisshouldbeshownuponinspection.

• Thelawallowsafineofupto$1000adayforviolations.Butnostorehasbeenfinedunderlocalordinances.

Benefitsofban(SanJose)

1. Litterreductioni. Attheendof2016theamountofplasticbagsfoundincreeks

andrivershaddecreasedby76%ii. 69%reductionofplasticbagsinstormdrains

2. ConsumerBehaviourchangesi. A43%increaseinconsumersusingreusablebagssincebefore

thebanii. A30%increaseinconsumerscarryingitemswithoutabagsince

beforetheban5Drawbacksofban 1. Itdoesnotcoverallplasticbags

2. Theuseofreusableplasticbagshasincreased.Ifthesearereusedthisispositive,howeveriftheyareboughtthenthrownawayorstoredandnotreusedthesebagsaremoreenergyintensivetoproduceandtheimpactontheenvironmentwouldthereforebenegative.

3. Hygieneissues,seecasestudy1atthebottom.4https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201320140SB2705http://www.sanjoseca.gov/index.aspx?NID=1526

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Figure2:SanJose,thechangeinBagUseProfiles(asaPercentage)6

ThesechartsshowhowtheuseofSingleUsePlasticBagshasbeencompletelyeliminatedpostban.Italsohighlightsthecorrespondingincreaseinuseofalternatives.Itispositivetoseethattheuseofreusablebagsincreasedmorethanpaperbags.Howeverfurtherinformationregardingthefateofthesereusablebagsisrequired.Iftheyarebeingreusedasintendedthebanhasbeenquitesuccessfulinchangingconsumerhabits,iftheyarebeingusedonceandthenthrownawaythentheproblemwouldhavebeenshifted.Whatismostnotableistheincreaseby24%ofpeopleoptingtousenobag.Thisoptionhasnoadditionalimpactontheenvironment,unlikereusablebagsandpaperbagswhichalsohavenegativeproductioncosts.

6https://energycenter.org/sites/default/files/Plastic-Bag-Ban-Web-Version-10-22-13-CK.pdf

75%

3%

3%19%

PreBan

SUPB

Paper

Reusable

Nobag

0%

22%

35%

43%

Postban

SUPB

Paper

Reusable

Nobag

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AustralianCapitalTerritory(ACT)7Startdateofban

November2011

Plasticbagsincludedinban

1. Singleusepolyethylenebagslessthan35microninthickness2. Degradableplasticbags(lessthan35micronsinthickness)arebanned

intheACT.Degradablebagsaremadefromplasticwithanadditivewhichencouragesthemtobreakapartmorequicklythanstandardplasticbagscausingsimilarenvironmentalharm.

Plasticbagsexemptfromban

1. BiodegradablebagsthatmeetAustralianStandardsAS4736(theseincludeplantstarchmaterialsorcompostablematerials)

2. Integratedpackaging:Aplasticbagthatispartofthepackagingthatgoodsaresealedinbeforesale.

3. Barrierbags(tear-off-the-rollbags)4. Boutiquebags:heavierstylereusableplasticbags5. Reusable(woven)shoppingbags:stronganddurablebagsdesignedfor

multipleuses,manufacturedfrommaterialssuchasnylon,polypropyleneorPVC.

Extentofban

Appliestoallretailersincludingtakeawayfoodandfarmersmarkets(smallenterprises)

Preparationforban

1. Beforetheban,between01/07/2011to31/10/2011theORSinspected1734businessestoeducateretailersonthenewregulationscomingintoplaceandtoassesswhethertheywerepreparing.

2. BeforethebanwasimplementedtheACTgovernmentcreatedthePlasticBagsAdvisoryGroup(PBAG).Thiswasmadeupofretailers,retailbodiesandlocalassociations.Theirjobwastoprovideaforumtoidentifyandaddresspotentialissues.Theyalsoworkedwithretailerstoraiseawarenessoftheban,andtohelpconsumersadjustbeforetheban.

Alternativestoplasticbags

Thickerreusableplasticbags,biodegradablebags,wovenshoppingbags

Enforcementofban

1. From01/11/2011–31/10/2013postbantheORSundertookanother714inspections.Onlyfourbreachesweredetected.Twoofthesebusinessesreceivedverbalwarningsandtheothersreceivedwrittenwarnings.Norepeatoffenceshavebeenrecorded.

2. Itisanoffenceforaretailertoprovideacustomerwithasingleuseplasticbag.Thecurrentpenaltypayableis$140foranindividualand$700foracorporation.

3. AccessCanberraaimstoachievecompliancewithlawsratherthanthroughprosecution.

Benefitsofban

1. Environmentalbenefitsi. Analysisshowsinthesixmonthspriortothebananestimated266

7http://www.environment.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/602018/20140407-ESDD_BagBan_Report_2014_Final.pdf

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tonesofplasticbags(includingsingle-useplasticbags,reusableplasticbags,binlinersandaproportionofreusablewovenbags)endedupinlandfill.However,fortheperiod1May2013to31October2013thisappearstohavedecreasedtoanestimated171tones,areductionofaround36%.

ii. AnalysisfromKABNationalLitterIndexauditsshowsareductioninplasticbaglittersincethebanwasintroducedin2011.Inthe4auditsthenumberofplasticbagsfoundhadmorethanhalvedsincepreban.

iii. TherearelessplasticbagsbeingfoundinGrossPollutantTraps(GTPs)whichhelppreventlitterenteringwaterways.BeforethebanitwascommontofindshoppingbagsintheGTPshoweverpriortothebantheiroccurrenceisrare.

2. Consumeri. InFebruary2014PiazzaResearchPtyLtdconductedasurvey

interviewingprimaryshoppersabouttheirsupportfortheban.Consumersupportforthebanhasincreasedby7%upto65%sinceitcameintoplace.Thoseagainstthebanhavealsofallenby9%to26%.(9%remainunsure)

Drawbacksofban • Onlyincludespolyethylenebagslessthan35microns• Thebansawpurchasesofthealternativebags(boutiqueandreusable)

increaseandthesewereeventuallysenttolandfill(howeverthetotalamountofplasticbagsgoingintolandfillwasstillreducedbyoveronethird.)

• AftertheintroductionofthebanPBAGhighlightedsomeinitialissueswiththeban.Therewasanincreaseinlost/stolenshoppingtrolleysandbaskets,assomepeopledidnotbringreusablebagsandrefusedtopayforthesebagsatthepointofsale.Moreeducation/awarenessprojectsmayhavepreventedthisandencouragedpeopletobemorewillingtopurchaseandusereusablebags.

Itshouldbenotedthatinbothexamplesof‘successful’bansnotalltypesofplasticbagswereincludedinthebans.ThiscouldbeattributedtotheirsuccessandcanbeconsideredwhenimplementingabaninPune.

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Sikkim8TheeffectivenessoftheplasticbagbaninSikkimdiffersbetweenregions.Overallthebanhasbeenquitesuccessfulinreducingplasticbagusebutnoteliminatingit.AstudybyToxicLinkfound66%ofshopsaroundSikkimusepaperbagsornewspaperandaround34%useplasticbags(whichincludesnonwoven).AlthoughtheuseofplasticisstillquitecommonsignificantlymorepeopleareusingpaperthaninmostIndianstates.Thereisnoevidencetosaywhetherthepaperbagsarebeingreusedtotheextentrequiredqualifyingasmoreeco-friendlythansingleuseplasticssousingthisasameasureofsuccessisalsoquestionable.

Startdateofban

4thJune1998

Plasticbagsincludedinban

Thelegislationstates:‘Thatyoushallnotdeliveranygoodsormaterialspurchasedorotherwisetoanyperson,firm,shop,companyoranyotheragencyororganizationinplasticwrappersorplasticbags’9

Plasticbagsexemptfromban

• Nonwoven

Extentofban

Traders,shopkeepers,hawkers(customersareNOTliable)

Preparationforban

• Verylittleemphasisoneducation,communicationandsharinginformationwiththepublic.

• TherewasoneposterdesignedtoencouragetheavoidanceofplasticbutitdoesnotmentionplasticisactuallybannedinSikkim

• Initiallytherewasanarticleinthelocalpapersannouncingthebanandsincetherehasnotbeenanefforttosendcircularstoshops

• Someregularnoticescanbeseeningovernmentoffices

Alternativestoplasticbags

Newspaper,paperbags,nonwoven,bananaleafwraps,bamboo,jute

Enforcementofban

• Initially,inbigtowns,continuouscheckstookplaceandstrictfineswereimposedonoffenders–thiscreatedaleveloffear,makingthebaneffective.

• IfcaughtinbreachoflawatradersbusinesslicensecanbesuspendedorcancelledandtherewillbeafineofuptoRs.20.000/-

• InruralareasenforcementislackingandthebanhasbeenineffectiveSuccessofban

• Inurbanareasawarenessofthebanishighamongshopkeepersandcustomers(+80%)–butnottourists(Around40%)

• Awarenessisalsohighinruralareasatabout75%amongshopkeepersandcustomers.

• ThebanhasbeenquiteeffectiveinlargetownslikeGangtok,duetoregularinspectionsandmediaaccess.Brownpaperbagsareusedbyvegetablevendors,grocers,chemists-howeverplasticbagsarestillcovertlyinusebysomebusinesses.

8http://toxicslink.org/docs/Full-Report-Plastic-and-the-Environment.pdf9https://www.sikkim.gov.in/stateportal/UsefulLinks/184-197.pdf

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Drawbacksofban • Only10%ofwasteisrecycled,mostgoestolandfill.Inruralareas90%

ofpeopleadmittoburningtheirplasticbags.• Thegrowingpopularityofnonwovenbagsisanissue–peopleassume

theseareecofriendlyandtheyarenotregardedasplastic.• Manypeoplearestillusingplasticcovertlyinbigtowns.• Insmallervillagesplasticbagsarebeingusedextensivelyforvegetables,

meatandfish.(Seepiechartsbelowforcomparisonofbigtownandsmallervillagebaguse)

• InSoreng”mostpeoplewerenotinthehabitofbringingtheirownbagstheyreliedonshopkeeperstoprovideabag.Alternativestoplasticbagsifusedforasingleuseareworsefortheenvironmentsothishabitmustbebroken”.

Comparingbagusageinlargetowns(Gangtok)andVillages(Soreng)

ThechartsshowthatinGangtokpeopleusingpaperbasedbagsis62%,whereasinSorengitis50%.Theuseoftheconventionalplasticpackagingisonly8%inGangtok,comparedto26%inSoreng.Sointhisexampleplasticbagpackagingisused18%lessintownsthanvillages–thiscanbeattributedtothehigherlevelsofinspectionandthereforeriskofgettingcaught.

InbothGangtokandSorengPPnonwovenbagsarepopular,thisisconcerningbecausetheyarefalselyadvertisedaseco-friendlywhentheytooaremadefromplasticanddamagetheenvironment.Peopleneedtobemadeawareofthesefactssotheycanmakebetterinformeddecisionsregardingtheirchoiceofbag.Additionallythegovernmentshouldrecognizethisandincludenonwovenbagsintheban.

8%

28%

34%

29%

1%

BagUsageinGangtok

Plassc

PPNonwovenPaper

NewspaperwrapJute

26%

24%18%

32%

BagUsageinSoreng

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Examplesofunsuccessfulplasticbagbans

Delhi10Startdateofban

January2009–theDelhigovernmentorderedacompletebanontheuseofallplasticbagsinmarketareasOctober2012–theDelhiGovernmentorderedablanketbanonalltypesofplasticbag

Plasticbagsincludedinban

• Alltypesofplasticbags• Includingplasticsheetsandfilmsusedtopackagebooks,magazinesand

cards.• Nonwoven

Plasticbagsexemptfromban

• Plasticbagsusedormedicalwaste• Exceptionsforexportpurposes

Extentofban

Manufacturing,import,sale,storage,usageandtransportofallkindsofplasticbags.

Preparationforban

• Nocleareffortfromgovernmenttoaidtheintroductionoftheban• Inpreviousyearstherehadbeenotherlawspassedregardingplastic

bagswhichmayhaveeasedthetransition,howevertheseeffortswereonlyeffectiveinreducingplasticbagsinshoppingmallsandoutlets.Forexamplein2008theminimumthicknessofbagswasraisedfrom20to40microns,thenin2009therewasabanonalltypesofplasticbagsinmarketareas.

Alternativestoplasticbags

• Paper,mostpopularalternative(66%ofvendorschoose)• Cloth• Jute

Enforcementofban

• MunicipalCorporationofDelhi(MCD)hasthetaskofregulatingthe;use,collection,transportationanddisposalofbags.

• DelhiPollutionControlCommittee(DPCC)hasthetaskofregulatingmanufacturingandrecyclingofbagsinDelhi.

• Thepenaltyforthosefoundtobebreakingthelawcouldbeafined100,000rupeesorimprisonedorupto7years.

• Despitethisthebanisverypoorlyenforcedhencewhythisbanhasbeenlargelyunsuccessful.

Drawbacksofban • StudybyToxicsLinkshowedapproximately62%ofvendorsand78%ofconsumersinterviewedadmittedtostillusingplasticbags.

• Thegroupsstillmostfrequentlyusingplasticbagswereidentifiedasfollows:i. 99%offruitandvegetablevendorsstilluseplasticbagsii. 95%ofmeatandfishvendorsstilluseplasticbagsiii. 82%oftemporaryroadsidevendors

• Noemphasisonwhatthepublicshoulddowithplasticbagsalreadyintheirpossession.Inasurveyitwasrevealed18%ofthosequestionedreusedplasticbagsandtheother82%usedthemoncebeforethrowingthem.

10http://toxicslink.org/docs/Full-Report-Plastic-and-the-Environment.pdf

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• TherearestillmanufacturingunitsopeninDelhidespitethebanonmanufacturing.TheseareconcentratedintheareasofMongolpuri,NarelaandBawana.

• DelhialsoreceivesbagsfromneighboringcitiesSuccessofban

• Despitethehighincidenceofsmallerindependentbusinessesusingplasticbags,amonglargercorporationstherehasbeensuccessful.i. Multibrandshopshavemadea100%tousingalternativesto

plastic.ii. Largefoodjointsexhibita90%shifttousingalternativesto

plastic.iii. Chemistsshowa88%shifttowardsalternativestoplasticsiv. Clothingandstationaryshopsalsoshoweda78%and70%

respectively.

Kenya

In2017theNationalEnvironmentComplaintsCommitteereleasedareportstating24millionplasticbagswerebeingusedinKenyaeachmonth.InthecapitalNairobi20%ofwasteconsistedofplasticwaste.Kenyahastriedmultipletimesinthepasttobanplasticbags.Allthepreviousattemptshavefailed.In2005and2007plasticbagswithathicknessof30micronsorlesswerebanned.In2011thiswasextendedtoincludebagsof60micronsorless.11

Reasonsforfailure;

i. Lackofenforcementofimplementationplanii. Protestsandthreatsfromtradersiii. Failuretoputarecyclingsystemintoplacetodealwithplasticwasteiv. Fearofjoblossledtoconflictwithmanufacturersandimporters

DespitethesefailuresKenyacontinuesitsfightagainstplasticbags.Toeliminateconfusiontheyhaveextendedtheirbantoincludealmostallplasticbags,thiswillmakeenforcementeasierasthosewhoarenon-compliantwillbeeasiertoidentify.Thebanisrecentsoitishardtoquantifythesuccesssofar,butKenyansarepositiveandhavereportedacleanerenvironment.Thisisaninterestingexampleasthecurrentbanmodelhasbeendesignedtoavoidthepreviousfailuresexperiencedinthecountry.

11https://www.nation.co.ke/lifestyle/DN2/Plastic-bag-ban-Have-the-cows-finally-come-home/957860-4099846-otxmvaz/index.html

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Startdateofban Thebancameintoeffectonthe28/08/17aftera6monthadjustmentperiod.Plasticbagsincludedinban

1. Plasticcarrierbagsusedassecondarypackaging2. Flatbagsusedassecondarypackaging

Plasticbagsexemptfromban

1. Flatbagsusedasprimaryindustrialpackaging.Reasonforexemption:i. Extendedproducerresponsibility/takebackschemesii. Productlabelingforeaseofmonitoringandtraceabilityiii. Inventoryrecord

2. Flatbagsfori)hazardouswasteandii)rubbish.Rulesforexception:i. Hazardouswastelinersmustbelegiblylabeled,colorcodedand

incineratedwiththewaste.ii. Rubbishlinersmustbecorrectlylabeledandwillnotbe

dumpedwithrubbish.Insteadtheywillbecleanedandreusedorrecycled.

3. Dutyfreeshopbags.Reasonforexemption–ICAOandIATAinternationalrules.HoweverdespitetheirexemptionindutyfreeshopsitismandatorytodisposeofthesebagsatthepointofentryinKenya.12

Extentofban Use,manufacture,saleandimportofplasticbagsPreparationforban

1. Step1:Raisingawarenessi. MinistryandNationalEnvironmentManagementAuthority

conductedTVinterviewsandradiocaststoinformpublicabouttheupcomingban.

ii. MinistryandNationalEnvironmentManagementAuthoritypostedfrequentlyaskedquestionsandanswersonlinetoaddressnationalinquires.

iii. Leafletsandarticlesprintedindailynewspapersiv. AwarenessmeetingsorganizedbyMinistryandNational

EnvironmentManagementAuthorityfordifferentgroupsi.e.religious,supermarkets,transport.Thesemeetingsclarifiedthebanrulesandclarifiedexpectationofcooperationexpectedfromstakeholders.

2. Step2:Researchalternatives

i. TheMinistryheldanexhibitioninNairobitoshowcasingalternativeeco-friendlypackagingmaterialstoreplacepolythenebags.TheNationalMediagroupraisedawarenessofthiseventthroughprintanddigitalmedia.

3. Step3:Partnerships

i. MinistryandNationalEnvironmentManagementAuthority

askedotherministriesandcouncilsfortheirassistanceinincreasingawarenessandhelpwithenforcementafterimplementation.TheMinistryreceivedwrittencommitmentsfromvariousotherministriesandsemi-autonomousinstitutionsconfirmingtheircommitmenttothesuccessoftheban.

12http://www.kenyatoday.com/opinion/plastic-ban-alternatives-exemptions

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ii. TheKenyaAirportsAuthoritytookactionsupplyingbinstotakepolythenebagsfromvisitorsenteringKenya.

4. Step4:Setanexampletoincreasemotivation

i. Afocuswasmadetoridforestsandparksofplasticbagssothatthepubliccouldenvisiontheirenvironmentwithoutplastic.Youcannotentertheseareaswhilstinpossessionofplasticbags.

5. Adjustmentperiodi. Asixmonthwarningwasissuedforbusinessesandmanufacturers

toadjustpracticesbeforebanwasimplemented.13Alternativestoplasticbags

Oldsacks,paperbags,envelopes,hands,fabricbags,nonwoven

Enforcementofban Finesofupto$38,000orprisonsentenceuptofouryears14Successofban

1. ChallengeGiftBagsapaperbagmanufacturerhasseena10%riseinbusinesssinceban15

2. RetainTradeAssociationofKenya(Retrak)chiefexecutiveWambuiMbariresaid“women’sgroupsinNaivashaandNyandaruahavealreadytakenupmakingkiondosforTuskysandNaivassupermarkets.Thisisempoweringlocalwomentomakeanincome,thesebagswillbesoldtopublicatasubsidizedprice.”

3. Thegovernmentisgoingtoincentivizeindustries,womenandyouthgroupstoproduceeco-friendlyalternativestoplasticbags

4. CleanerenvironmentDrawbacksofban 1. EstimatedtocostKenya60,000to70,000jobs16

2. Manyconsumersarenowusingnonwovenbagswhichareinfactmadefromplastic

3. Thebanonlytackleshalftheissue.Wastemanagementandrecyclingneedheavyemphasistoo.

13http://web.unep.org/ourplanet/december-2017/articles/free-plastic-bags14http://www.loc.gov/law/foreign-news/article/kenya-notice-outlawing-plastic-bags-issued/15https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/gallery/2017/jun/08/kenya-plastic-bag-battle-ban-supermarkets-recycling-pictures16https://www.nation.co.ke/lifestyle/DN2/Plastic-bag-ban-Have-the-cows-finally-come-home/957860-4099846-otxmvaz/index.html

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Michigan

Startdateofban March28th2017Extentofban Theactwillpreemptlocalordinancesregulatingthe:

i.Use,disposition,orsaleofauxiliarycontainers.ii.Prohibitorrestrictingauxiliarycontainers.iii.Imposingafee,charge,ortaxonauxiliarycontainers.

Includedintheban ‘Auxiliarycontainer’meansareusableorsingle-usebag,cup,bottle,orotherpackaging,thatmeetsthefollowingrequirements:(i)Ismadeofcloth,paper,plastic,cardboard,corrugatedmaterial,aluminum,glass,postconsumerrecycledmaterial,orsimilarmaterial(ii)Isdesignedfortransporting,consuming,orprotectingmerchandise,food,orbeveragesfromoratafoodserviceorretailfacility

Excludedfromtheban

Theactshallnotrestrictlocalordinancesfromanyofthefollowing:(a)Acurbsiderecyclingprogram.(b)Adesignatedresidentialorcommercialrecyclinglocation.(c)Acommercialrecyclingprogram.17

Reasonforthebanonbans

TheMichiganRestaurantAssociationpushedthebilltopreventlocalauthoritiesfromimposinganyrestrictionsontheuseofplasticcontainersincludingplasticbags.Theyarguedthatdifferentsystemsofbagfeesandbansacrossdifferentmunicipalitiesinthestatewouldmakeitdifficultforchainrestaurantsandretailerstocomply.18

17http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2015-2016/publicact/pdf/2016-PA-0389.pdf18https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/why-michigan-banned-banning-plastic-bags-180961630/

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TherestoftheUnitedStatesLookingatfigure3itcanbeseenthatthestatesofMissouri,Idaho,Iowa,Arizona,Wisconsin,IndianaandFloridaareamongotherswhohaveadoptedthepreemptionmeasurespushedbyplasticbagmanufacturersandtheplasticindustry.

Figure3:Stateswithdifferentenactedplasticbaglegislations19

19http://www.ncsl.org/research/environment-and-natural-resources/plastic-bag-legislation.aspx

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Generalissueswithexistingbanswithsuggestions

1. EnforcementOneofthebiggestissueswithmostplasticbagbansgloballyisthelackofenforcement.Ifthelawsarenotenforcedappropriatelythencomplianceisreducedoreliminated.Ifbusinessesandconsumersknowtherewillbenoconsequencewhethertheyabidebythelawornot,theyarelikelytoignorenewlegislationthatrequiresthemtomakechangestotheirhabits.Additionally,incountriessuchasIndiawheretherearehugenumbersofsmalltemporaryindependentvendorsitisverychallengingtomonitortheirplasticbaguse.ForexampleinDelhithebagbaninplasticwaslargelysuccessfulwithlargeretailoutletsandfoodchainsbutfailedtoengagesmallvendors.Largebusinessesaremucheasiertomonitorandpunishfornoncompliance.Largecorporationsalsohavehigherlevelsofcorporatesocialresponsibility;somemaybeglobalbrandswhohavetomaintaintheirbrandimageinavarietyofmarkets.

5.Collecson/disposal

4.Loopholes

3.Blackmarket

2.Alternasves

1.Enforcement

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EnforcementAdvice

StrictPenalses

Enforcefinesandcarryoutregularinspecsons

ofbusinesses.

Differentpenalsesfordifferenttypesof

businessesi.e.lowerfinesforstreetvendors

thanchains.

Increasedsecurityatlandborderswithotherstatestodiscourageplasscbagsmuggling.Penalsesforsmuggling

shouldbeclear.

Communityservicecouldbeusedasapenaltyinsteadoffines/prisonsme.E.g.Offendersmustcompletea30hourcommunityservice

collecsngplasscbagsoffthestreet

Atthestartofthebanhaveanemphasison

regulasngruralareassotheyknowtheyriskprosecusontoo.They

cannotfeeltheircircumstancesexcludethemfromtheban

Ensureawareness

Publicmustbeawareandconstantly

remindedofnewlaws.Widescale

adverssingneedede.g.eCoexistsnew

poster

Ifpeoplebrechthelawreportcasesinthenewspaperto

makeotherbusinesses/

consumersrealisenoncompliancewillhaveconsequences

CommunityEngagement

Communityenforcement-App/whatsappnumberforthepublictoreportoffenders

E.g.Swachhata-MoHUA.Willneedincensves,could

businessessponsorwithprizes.For

examplesendin10photosandreeivea

freestarbuckscoffee

Communityawarenessandsupportgroups.Engagewithdifferent

communisestochangegroupmentalisese.g.religiousgroups,

schools,businesses

Especiallyimportantinruraltownswhicharehardtomonitor.Mustcreateasenseofdutytoencourage

thesecommunisestoselfregulatemore.E.g.inSikkimbanisquitesuccessfulinbigtownsbutnotinruraltownsduetorelaxed

enforcement

19

2. Alternatives20

Anothercomplicationwithbanningplasticbagsiswhatwillreplacethem.Someofthepopularalternativessuchaspaperbagsalsocomewithenvironmentalconsequences.

Figure4:ThisgraphshowstheglobalwarmingpotentialofarangeofsingleuseandreusablebagsassumingeachbagtypeisreusedbytheamountrequiredtooutperformaHDPEsingleusecarrierbagwithnoreuse

Thisgraphshowsthatlowerimpactscanbeattainedbyreusingalternativebagsbutcanonlybeachievedincombinationwithconsumerbehavioralchange.Itisestimatedpaperbagsmustbeused4timestocompensateforlargercarbonfootprint,howeverpaperbagsarelessdurablethanplasticsoarehardertoreuse.Similarlythickerplasticbagsdeemedasreusablemustbeusedatleast5timestocompensatefortheextraenergyrequiredduringproduction.Cottonbagswhichareviewedbythemediaastheultimateswitchtowardssustainabilityneedtobeusedatleast173timestocompensatefortheextraenergyrequiredtoproducethem.Cottonbags,ifusedcorrectlyaresuperiortotheotheralternativesasthereusevalueofpaperandreusablethickerplasticismuchless.Ifcottonbagsareadoptedandusedcorrectlymuchfewerbagswillendupinlandfillastheoreticallytherewouldonlybe1cottonbagopposedto173plasticbags.Additionally,cottonbagsshouldbecapableofreusesmorethan173times;thisisjusttheminimumrequirementforthemtobeaviablealternative.Forexampleifused300timesthiswouldforego300SUPBsgoingintolandfill.

Aswellasprovidingalternatives,consumersmustbeprovidedwithreasonstoadoptthesedifferentbagstypes.Thiswill

20http://www.environment.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/577057/12-26082_Plastic_bag_review_report.pdf

“Youneedapolicytogetridofplasticbags,butitmustbewantedtobesuccessful”–DrRoseMukankomje,DirectoroftheRwandaEnvironmentalAuthority

20

requireincreasededucationsurroundingtheissueandforalternativestobeconvenient.21

21https://idjournal.co.uk/2017/04/24/reflecting-rwandas-plastic-bags-ban/

21

AlternaAvesAdvice

Educason

Throwawayavtude

ConsumerhabitsmustbechangedwithemphasisonREUSINGalltypesofbag.Thiswillrequireincreasededucasonontheissue.E.g.school/

communityworkshops

Increasedmediacoverageonwhy

weneedtoreduce/eliminateplasscbaguseand

encouragingresuablebags.E.g.Posters,videos,radio,arscles

Introduceataxonallbagsgivenout

atretailers/vendors.In

countriesuchastheUKchargesonsingleuseplasscbagshavereducedconsumpsonby

over80%.

Implicasonsofalternasves

Makesureconsumersunderstand

thedrawbacksofalternasvesandthere-

usagerequiredforthemtobemoreeco

friendlythansingleuseplasscbags.E.g.Acowonbagmustbeused173

smesatleast

Reusablebagsmustbeproperly

maintainedforhygiene

reasons.Thepublicneedtounderstandhowtotakecareofbags.Seecasestudy1foradvice.

Reusablebags

Incensves/benefitsfor

usingreusablebags.

Getpointsonstorecardwhen

youbringareusablebag.E.g.GreencardclubpointsUK

Forkids:designagameappwherestorescanhandoutpromoson

codesforlevelupsingamewhenusingareusablebag/bringingown

bag

Inconsumersurveysthebiggest

barriersforconsumers

usingreusablebagsare;

forgexullness,and

convenience.

Forgexullness:posterreminderswhenleaving

apartmentblocks,keychainresublebags

Convenience:give

prioritytothosewithreuablebagatstoreseg.fasttrack

lane

Designclothbagstobe

morepracscal

thanplassc-stronger,compartme

ntsfordifferentfood,

comfiertocarry

Cost:alternasvesmustbe

affordableforconsumers

andbusinesses

Governmentshouldsubsidise

alternasvesforthe

benefitofbusinesses

andconsumers.Revenue

couldcomefromtaxonsingleuse

bags

Forbusinesses:Supplierscanfundproducsonand

distribusoncostsviasponsoredadverts.Thesecanthen

bedistributedtoretailersandoutletsatzerocost.SeeTrashyBagSmartBagGhanaexample.

ProducsonofAlternasves

Findsuitablealternasve.Clothbags,paperbags,compostablebags,

leavesaspackagingforstreetvendors.

Investmentintocurrentplasscbag

industrytoresearchandproduce

alternasves

Jobcreasoninalternasve

industries.ForexampleinKenyaitisessmatedtohaveresultedin

60,000-70,000joblosses.Clothbagproducsonismorelabourintensivethanplasscbagproducson.

Createpartnerships:therearemanysmallbusinesses/socilenterprising

alreadyproducingeco-alternasves.Governmentshouldofferservicetoputbusinessesin

contactwiththeseenterprises.

22

3. BlackmarketactivityInmanycaseswhereplasticbagshavebeenbannedinacertainstateorcountryablackmarketcanemerge,whereplasticbagsaresmuggledinfromneighboringstates/countries.Forexample,Rwandahasimplementedaverysuccessfulplasticbagbanhoweverfacestheissueofagrowingblackmarketforbagsintheircountry.NeighboringcountriessuchasBurundi,TanzaniaandUgandadonothavesimilarbansinplacesoplasticbagsflowrelativelyeasilyacrossborders,despitethegovernmentofRwandaconductingsearchesatbordercrossings.22InDelhisomemanufacturershaveignoredthebanonmanufacturingduetolackofenforcementandotherbusinessescontinuetoobtainplasticbagsfromneighboringstates.

22https://idjournal.co.uk/2017/04/24/reflecting-rwandas-plastic-bags-ban/

BlackMarketAdvice

Enforcement

Ifbanisenforcedproperlyand

penalsesimposedthiswilldiscouragebusinessesbuyingfromtheblack

market.

Increasedsecurityatbordercrossings

Educason

Ifconsumersareeducatedanddecidetousealternasvestoplasscbagstherewillbenodemandfor

plassc,sobusinesseswontwanttobuyplasscbagssotherewouldbenoblackmarket.

Clearadverssementofpenalsesforusingplasscbags.Makesurepeopleareawareofthe

consequences,thisshoulddecreasethenumberofpeopledemandingplassc

bags.

Alternasves

Ifgovernmentsubsidises

alternasvessothereisliwle/no

differenceincostofalternasvesthen

businesseswillhaveveryliwleincensvetobreakthelaw.

23

4. LoopholesWhendraftingthelegislationitisimportanttoidentifyanyloopholesthatmanufacturersandbusinessesmaybeabletoexploit.Itisalsoimportanttoconsiderthetypesofbagsincludedintheban.Forexampleifbagsbelow40micronsarebannedmanufacturersarelikelytojuststartproducingthickerbags.CountriessuchasKenyatriedimplementingbansonplasticbagsbelowacertainthicknessbutfoundithardtomonitor.Theylaterchangedtheirbantoincludeallplasticbags.Byincludingallplasticbagsinthebanitiseasierfortheauthoritiestoidentifyandprosecuteoffendersbreakingthelaw.

LoopHoleAdvice

Casestudies

Studyexissngbanstoseewhatworkedandwhatdidn'ttoidensfy

potensalissues.

Manyplasscbagtaxeshavebeensuccessfulinreducingsingleuseplasscbags.Maybea

taxshouldbeconsidered.

Legislasonwording

Contractalawyertochecklegislasonbeforeitispassed.Improperwordingcanleadtoaccidentalexclusions

fromthelaw.

Makedrazpublic.Thiswillallowenvironmentalacsviststoanalysefor

potensaldifficulses.Thepublicwillalsobeabletogivefeedback.ThismayhelpcustomisethebantoneedofPune.

Preempson

Prepareplansforanyproblemareasanscipatedthat

cannotbeavoided.

Shizingtheproblem:banningplasscbagswillseeahugeriseinalternasvebagssuchaspaperwhichalsohavedisadvantages.Tominimisethenumberofpeopleshizingtoanothersingleusebag,introduceachargeonsingleusebagsofferedbybusinesses

Manufacturer/business/consumerbacklash:the

increasedcostofalternasveswillnegasvelyimpactbothbusinessesandconsumers.Tominimiseresistance

subsidisetheproducsonandcostofpurchasing

theseopsons.

24

5. CollectionanddisposalPlasticbagbansdonotaddressthelargerproblemofpoorwastedisposalsystems.Thesetwoissuesmustbetackledtogether.Banningplasticbagsisahugesteptoeliminatingplasticwastepollutionbuteffectivesystemsneedtobeinplacetoremovewastethatisalreadylitteringtheenvironment,forexamplerecyclingcenters,wastedisposalcentersoralternativeenergyplants.

Thegovernmentneedstomakeitclearwhatconsumersaretodowithbagsafterabanisintroduced.Willitbelegaltokeepplasticbagsathomeforreuseorwillrecycling/disposalsystemsneedtobesetupinstoresorcommunitycenterstocollectplasticbags.

CollecAonandDisposal

Advice

Investment

Investinrecyclingfacilises

Investinwastedisposal

Investinrecyclingcampaignsandeducason

Cleanups

Investinmoreenvironmental

cleanups

Cleanupparksandforeststoactasexamplesofsuccess

E.g.Kenyaremovedallplasscfromtheseareassothepubliccanseethepotensal

Communitycleanups

Seecasestudy2-SagasMitraAbihyan

Incensvesforcommunitytocleanup.Peoplearemorelikelytovaluethecleanliess

iftheyareinvolved.

Advice

Consumersshouldbeadvisedonwhattodowithplasscbagsintheir

possesionazerban

Educatethepuclicontheimportantofproperwastedisposal/recycling

Createandenforceliwering

fines

25

Benefitsofplasticbagbans

(Sources:http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-08/31/c_136571990.htm)

Benefitsofbans

Health

Livestockwhicharethenconsumedbypeopleconsumeplasscbags.Thisisdetrimentalto

humanhealthandsomeresearchindicatedsalinkbetweenthisandcancers,birthdefects,

developmentalproblemsandimmunesystemsupression.

Waterbodieslesschemicalpollusonfrom

plassc

Plasscbagscanaidinthespreadofmalariaiftheycollectrainwaterbyofferingmosquitosacasualbreedingground

Environment

Reduceslivestockandwildanimaldeathsviaingessonofplasscbags.InNairobiKenyathe

UnitedNasonsEnvironment

Programmefoundthat15%ofcows

slaughteredhadstomachsfullofplassc

bags.

Reduceslikelihoodofenvironmentaldisasters

suchasfloods

Reduceswater/soilcontaminasonofplassc

waste

Lessplasscrubbishthatgetsburntdailyon

roadside-improvedairquality

Lessvisualpollusonofplasscbagson

roadsides,inrivers,inparksandforests

Economy

Lessmoneyspentonenvironmentalcleanups

Preventsflooddisastersreducingcostofdamagesinareas

affected

Reducedcostofdisposalandrecyclingofsingle

useplasscs

CreatesalternaAvejobs

Booststourism-inRwandathetourism

industryisnowthrivingthankstotheabsenceof

liwer

Increasedjobsinprodcusonof

alternasves.Forexampleclothbags-thesearemorelabourintensivetomakesocouldprovidemore

employment.ThismayhelpempowerlowerincomecommuniseslikeeCoexistisdoing.

Increasedmanpowerrequiredtoregulateandenforceban.Regular

inspecsonsarerequiredandincreasedborder

security.

26

ConclusionofConsiderationsforPuneTherearecountlessconsiderationstomakewhendraftingaban.Itisimportanttohaveclearlegislationtoenableallstakeholderstounderstandwhatthebanentails.Ifthewordingofthebillisincomprehensiblethencompliancewillbereduced,lawyersshouldbecontractedtoassessthefinaldraftbeforethegovernmentpassesit.Additionally,moreaccessibleguidesshouldbemadeavailableonthegovernmentwebsiteforstakeholderssuchasbusinessesandconsumerstoreview(theseshouldbemorevisualwithlesstext).

Thewordingofthelegislationforeachofthecountriesstudiedinthisreportvariedconsiderablyindetail.Theyshouldbestudiedalongsidethisreporttobetterunderstandthetechnicalitiesofaplasticbagban.ThetablebelowwasconstructedtoactasabasisforeCoexisttoconstructagraphfrom.Itisaconclusionofsomeofthefactorsthatmustbelookedintofurtherforvariousaspectsoftheban.

Banstartdate Thebancomesintoaffect01/04/2018Bagsincludesinban o Cleardimensionsandcapacitye.g.length,width,thickness,

handles,material,weight,lifespan(SeeSanJose)o Whichbagsshouldbeincludedintheban?o Itmaybebettertotransitionintoacompleteplasticbagban.The

successofplasticbagtaxesinEuropeandelsewherehavebeenaneffectivefirststeptoreducingplasticbaguseandchangingconsumerhabits.Afterconsumershavehadsometimetoadjuststricterregulationcanbegin.(seeKatherine’sreportfromvirtualinternship)

Bagsexcludedfromban CleardimensionsandcapacityExtentofban Banuse,manufacture,saleandimportofplasticbagsPreparationforban

6. Step1:Raisingawarenessi. Educatepopulationabouttheissue(Ifpeopledecidethey

donotwanttouseplasticthenthereisnomarketforitandbusinesseswillstopproducingit!)

ii. Educatecommunitiesandbusinessaboutlegislation,what’sincludedetc.andpenaltiesforbreakingthelaw

iii. Havecampaignsonsocialmedia,tv,radio,newspapers,posterstodrillinformationintoeveryone’sminds

7. Step2:Developalternativesi. Investmoneyintoidentifyingthebestalternative(pre-ban)ii. Investintodevelopingalternativesiii. Promotealternativesiv. Subsidisealternativesv. Ensuresystemsareinplacetodealwithalternatives.For

exampleifcompostablebagsareusedtheyrequireaerobicconditionstobreakdownsocannotgointolandfill.Newwastecentersrequired.

vi. Planforjobcreation–jobsinproductionofbags,disposal,andconstructionofnewfacilities.

8. Step3:Partnershipsi. Partnershipstoenforcebane.g.whatsapppolice

27

ii. Partnershipstosupplyalternativesiii. Partnershipstoraiseawarenesse.g.eCoexistproposing

postertogovernmentiv. Partnershipstocleanupe.g.FriendsoftheOceanschool

initiative

Alternativestoplasticbags

o Billshouldincluderetailerchargesforalternativeso Billshouldtaxalternativestodiscouragethrowawayattitudeand

changeconsumerbehaviour.o Revenuefromtaxcouldbeinvestedintoresearchanddevelopment

ofalternativeso Hygieneofalternativesmustbeconsideredo InSikkimlocalfoodssuchaschurpi(cottagecheese)aresoldin

wrappedleavesorbamboo.CouldthisworkinPune?Enforcementofban o Differentpenaltyfordifferentgroupsofretailerse.g.streetvendors

vs.mallso Predictmanpower/budgetrequiredtoenforcebano Increasedbordercrossingsecurityo Communityservicepenaltyo Makeclearwhichsuppliersarelegitimateandcomplywithnewbag

rulesStepstomakealternativessuccessful

o Makereusablebagsconvenientforconsumers–assistandenableuseofownbags.ForexampleinIndiaifyoubringyourownbagstheymustbeleftoutside,howcanobstacleslikethisbeovercome?

o Addressforgetfulnesso Ensureinvestmentintoindustrytoproducealternativeso Jobcreation–clothbagsmorelabourintensiveo Incentivesforreusablebags–app,game,voucherso Heavyadvertising

28

Casestudies

Casestudy1–Reusablebagsandhygiene

TherehasbeenspeculationaboutlinksbetweentheplasticbagbanandaHepatitisAoutbreakamongthehomelessinCaliforniawhichhasreportedlykilledmorethanadozenpeopleandinfectedaround400more.Althoughthereisnoconclusiveproofofaconnectionitraisesanimportantissueasitispossiblethataplasticbagbancouldcontributetoanoutbreaklikethisifpeopleareusingthesebagsunsafely.

HealthOfficerWilmaWootenconfirmedhomelesspeopleinCaliforniafrequentlyuseplasticbagsastoilets.Withsingleuseplasticbagsunavailableandwithalternativescomingatapriceitislikelyopendefecationhasincreased-whichmayhavefacilitatedthespreadofthedisease.Homelesspeoplealsodonothavethefacilitiestofrequentlywashplasticbags,similarissuescouldbeexperiencedinIndiaamongstlowerincomegroups.Additionally,uncleanreusablebagsposeahealthhazardinsupermarketsiftheycomefromunsanitaryenvironments.Ifeveryonebringstheirownreusablebagscountlessstrainsofbacteriawillcomeintocontactwithcheckoutareas,trolleys,basketsandshopemployeeswhichcouldeasilybetransferredtofooditemsandenterpeople’shomes.23

Study1:Dr.RichardSummerbellamicrobiologistinToronto,Canadaconductedastudytotest49usedreusablebags.Thefollowingresultswerefound:

• 64%ofbagstestedhadsomelevelofbacteria• 30%ofbagstestedhadelevatedbacterialcounts• 24%ofbagstestedshowedpresenceofmold• 20%ofbagstestedindicatedthepresenceofyeast • 12%ofbagstestedhadanunacceptablecoliformcount

Thestudyconcludedreusablebagscanbecomeamicrobialhabitatandbreedinggroundsiftheyarenotwashedcorrectly.Yeastandmouldareparticularlyconcerningforolderpeopleandpeoplewithallergies.24

Study2:theDepartmentofSoil,WaterandEnvironmentalScienceattheUniversityofArizonainTucsonandtheSchoolofPublicHealth,LomaLindaUniversityinLomaLinda,California(Gerba,Williams,&Sinclair,2010)sampled84reusablebagstodetermineaprofileofbagusage.

23https://fighttheplasticbagban.com/24https://fighttheplasticbagban.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/bacterial-and-viral-health-hazards-of-reusable-shopping-bags_rev_1.pdf

29

Theresultsareasfollows:

Otherresults

• 70%usedthebagsolelyforgroceries;30%,forotheruses• Only25%usedseparatebagsformeatsandvegetables;75%didnot• 55%transportedbagsintheautomobiletrunk;45%inthebackseat• 55%storedbagsinthehome;45%,intheautomobile• Only3%washedtheirbags;97%didnot• 51%ofbagshadColiformbacteria• 12%ofbagshadEscherichiaColi(E.Coli)

Itisconcerningthat97%didnotwashtheirbagsand75%didnotuseseparatebagsformeatsandvegetables.Thestudyalsoidentifiedbagsstoredinthetrunkofcarfortwohoursresultedina10-foldincreaseinbacteria;thisisanotherconcernas45%ofpeoplestoredbagsinthecar.

Bothstudiesshowedsingleuseplasticbagstohavenopresenceofbacteriaonthem.Thisstudyalsoidentifiedthathandormachinewashingwaseffectiveinreducingthequantityofbacteriainreusablebagsbymorethan99.9%.

Adviceforuse:

1. Bagsshouldbewashedregularly.2. Separatebagsshouldbeusedforrawmeat/fish.3. Bagsshouldnotbestoredinthecar.4. Bagsshouldbesinglepurpose,e.g.haveseparatebagsforcarryingyourgymclothesand

yourfooditems.

49%

22%

18%

11%

HowmanyAmesarereusablebagsusedweekly?

Once Twice Three Morethanthree

30

“Thelatestoutbreakofnorovirusreinforcestheresearchwehaveconductedaboutthepropensityofreusablegrocerybagstoactashostsfordangerousfoodbornebacteriaandviruses.Inreality,reusablebagsarelikelyatfaultmuchmoreoftenthanwerealize:casesoftengounreportedanduninvestigated.”-Dr.CharlesGerba,aprofessorintheDepartmentsofSoil,WaterandEnvironmentalScienceattheUniversityofArizona

ReusablebagsandEpidemicsIn2010sixgirlsfromafootballteaminOregonfellillwithNoroviruswhichwastransmittedviaareusableshoppingbag.ThiswasconfirmedbythePublichealthauthoritieswhoinvestigatedthecase.

Thisincidentraisestheissueofdiseasetransmissionviauncleanreusablebags,thereissomefearimproperusecouldleadtoepidemics.Otherdiseasesthatarebelievedcouldbespreadviareusablebagsincludecommoncold,influenza,coldsores,conjunctivitis,coxsackievirus(hand-foot-mouthdisease),croup,E.coliinfection,Giardiainfection,influenza,lice,meningitis,rotavirusdiarrhea,Respiratorysyncytialvirus(RSV),ebolaandstrep.

However,asmentionedpreviouslyhandormachinewashingiseffectiveinreducingthequantityofbacteriainreusablebagsbymorethan99.9%.Soifusedcorrectlytheriskofhealthhazardsshouldbeeliminated.25

25https://fighttheplasticbagban.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/bacterial-and-viral-health-hazards-of-reusable-shopping-bags_rev_1.pdf

“Thisincidentshouldserveasawarningbell:permittingshopperstobringunwashedreusablebagsintogroceryandretailstoresnotonlyposesahealthrisktobaggersbutalsotothenextshoppersinthecheckoutline."Dr.CharlesGerba

31

Casestudy2-SagasMitraAbihyan,Pune26

Initiative• Studentsareshownasimplepresentationabouttheharmfuleffectsofsingleuseplasticon

ourenvironment• Studentsarethengivenaplasticbagtofillwithplasticwasteoverthenext30dayperiod,at

leastoneitemperdayisadvised.Theseitemsincludeplasticbags,bottles,wrappers,oldcombs

• Onceamonthchildrenhandoverbagtoschoolandarenamed‘afriendoftheocean’TheplasticiscollectedbyaSagar-Mitraitisweighedandpackedintothevehicle.SchoolsgetRs8perkgfortheschool’sgreenfund.

• TheplasticisdeliveredtoCleanGarbageManufacturingPvt.Ltd.(CGMPL),whorecycletheplasticwasteintodieselorhardboardsliketabletopsandpots.

Results• InjustfiveyearsSagasMitraAbihyangrewfrom150studentsinoneschooltoover100,000

studentsacrossPune.• In5yearsstudentscontributed50tonesofplastic• Spreadsawarenessinchildrenandfromchildrento

families• Thepracticeofcollectingplastichasbecomeofdaily

habitformanychildrenjustlikebrushingtheirteeth,thishasalsobeenpassedontofamilymembersandexstudentsarecontinuingtobringbagsofplasticwastetotheiroldschools.

• Thisschemehasbeenintroducedin40townsinIndia• Aimstocoverall780schoolsinPuneby2018• Schemefeaturedintworesearchpapersatthe15thWorldLakeConferenceheldatPerugia,

Italyin2014-inspiringsimilarinitiativesinNewYorkandMorocco.

26https://www.thebetterindia.com/78151/sagar-mitra-abhiyan-pune-plastic-problem/

Thisissignificantgiventhatonlyonetonofplasticisextractedaftersortingthrough150tonesofmixedgarbage.

32

CaseStudy3:Umuganda,Rwanda27

WhatisUmuganda?WhentranslatedUmugandameans‘comingtogetherincommonpurposetoachieveanoutcome’.Umugandaisorganizedcommunitywork,inwhichabout80%ofRwandanstakepartinonthelastSaturdayofeverymonth.ItiscompulsoryforRwandansbetweentheagesof18-65tocometogetherforjust3hoursandworkonprojectsthatusuallyinvolveinfrastructuredevelopmentorenvironmentalprotection.Expatriatesandthoseover65whoareabletotakepartarealsoencouragedtodoso.

Umugandadatesbackto1962butitwasnotuntil2007withthepassingofOrganicLawNumber53/2007andtheninAugust24,2009withPrimeMinisterialOrderNumber58/03 thatitwasinstitutionalizedinRwanda.

Organisation

27http://www.rwandapedia.rw/explore/umuganda

NasonalLevel

ProvincalLevel

DistrictLevel

33

Nationallevel:• Steeringcommittee:plan,assessandencourageRwandanstotakepartin

Umugandaandtopublicisetheresults• TechnicalCommittee:responsibleforcoordinating,monitoring,evaluatingand

developingtheprogramforUmuganda

Provinciallevel:• SteeringCommittee:coordinatesandevaluatestheUmugandathattakesplaceat

thedistrictlevelandreportstotheSupervisingCommittee.• ProvincialTechnicalCommittee:isresponsibleforanalysingdistrictreportsand

providingasummarytotheMinistryofLocalGovernment

Districtlevel:• TechnicalCommittee:preparesandsupervisesUmuganda,evaluatescommunity

workandreportstotheSupervisingCommitteeattheprovincialorCityofKigalilevel.

• TechnicalCommitteesalsoexistatthesector,cellandvillagelevel.

CoordinationIfcitizenscannotparticipateforanyreasontheycaninformthecommittee,howevercommunitymemberswhoareabletoparticipateanddon’tcanbefinedupto$8(5,000Rwf).Beforefinesaregiventhepersonwillbewarnedandencouragedtoparticipate,revenuefromfinessupportsthecommunitywork.ThereareseverallevelsofcoordinationforUmuganda,theirrolesarelistedbelow.

SupervisingCommittees

• Planningthework• Organiseandsupervisethecommunity• Evaluatecommunityworkandmakingareportindicatingthemonetary

valueofthework

LocalLeaders

• Topromoteparticipation• Tosetupmaintenancemechanismsforactivitiesachieved• Tosetupwaysforeveryonetobeactivelyinvolved

TheCommunity• Totakeownershipofplanningandorganising• Toensureactivitiescanbesustained

OutcomesofUmugandaSuccessfuloutcomesofthisnationalvolunteeringdayarespectacularandinclude:thebuildingofschools,medicalcentersandhydroelectricplantstorehabilitatingwetlandsandcreatingcleanwatersupplies.Aswellascreatingabeautifulsenseofcommunitybringingthecountriescitizensclosertogether,Umugandaisestimatedtohavecontributedmorethan$60millionworthtothecountriesdevelopmentsince2007.

34

TheGovernmentofRwandaintroducedtheNationalUmugandaCompetitionin2009toraiseawarenessofUmugandaandincreasedparticipation.AlllevelsofRwandansocietyareinvolved–fromthevillageuptothenationallevel.Thebestactivityineachdistrictgetsacertificateandfundingforfutureprojects.Additionally,thebestthreeprojectsfromacrossRwandaareawardedacashprizeofbetweenUS$1,500and$2,300.InRwandaUmugandaallowedthecountrytoclearupplasticbagwastefromdrains,rivers,farms,cities,villages–byworkingtogetherRwandahasbecomethecleanestcountryinEastAfrica.Itisasimple,costeffectivewaytoaddresssomeofsociety’smostpressingissues.Similaraction,evenonasmallerscale,couldgreatlyhelpIndia(oranycountry)totacklewastepollution.