Why Ban Single-use Plastics?

Marketing Viewpoint by Ruth Winett

Environment bill has impact at work and home

Assuming each of the 30,000+ participants in the 2026 Boston Marathon was handed four cups of water during the race, what happened to the discarded cups? Whether plastic or paper covered with polyethylene-based wax, the cups were not recyclable. Drinking cups are just one type of non-recyclable plastic entering the landfill. The $3.94 billion Mass Ready Act--S.3050-- is a Mass Senate environment bill that includes language for "Reducing Wasteful Single-use Plastic." The bill prohibits retailers from providing plastic bags and requires them to charge 10 cents for reusable paper bags. This is to encourage consumers to bring their own reusable bags. The bill will reduce plastic waste and decrease the release of harmful chemicals generated during the production of plastics. Environmentalists support the bill, but not retailers and others.

Framingham and about 160 other Massachusetts cities and towns already ban plastic bags and require stores to charge for paper bags. These bans affect 70 percent of Massachusetts citizens or nearly five million citizens. The new bill would add Massachusetts to the 12 states that already ban single-use bags statewide.

What's Wrong with Plastic Bags?

Massachusetts residents use an estimated 2 billion plastic bags per year or about 285 bags per person. Production of these plastic bags requires 10 million gallons of water, plus petroleum, energy, and chemicals that are bad for the environment and for living creatures, reports CBS Boston. Furthermore, Massachusetts has many coastal communities that are plagued with "sea junk," much of it made of plastic. Sea junk ensnares and even kills sea creatures. A Cuvier whale found in the Philippines had 88 pounds of plastic in its belly, according to National Wildlife.

Paper vs. Plastic—Not a Simple Choice

However, producing paper bags kills more trees each year than are planted. In addition, recycling paper bags consumes vast amounts of energy, claim experts, such as Eco data. Others worry that making plastic illegal is another mandate that will impose more fees and taxes, according to the National Federation of independent Businesses.

What about the Cost of Paper and Reusable Bags?

While it costs more to produce a paper bag than a plastic bag, the cost of a reusable bag is spread out over months or even years of usage.

Single-Use Plastic Bags cost $0.01–$0.03 per bag.
Paper bags cost $0.05–$0.15 per bag.
Reusable Non-woven bags cost $0.59–$3.00 per bag. If used 50–300+ times, the cost per use: $0.01–$0.06.
Reusable Cotton bags cost $3.00–$7.00 per bag. If used hundreds of times, the cost per use: $0.01–$0.03. (ReuseThisBag.com)

The requirement for shoppers to use paper bags or reusable bags is one of several measures included in S.3050, the Massachusetts Bill. If the bill passes, Massachusetts will have a statewide law regarding bags used by shoppers. Consistent statewide rules will reduce confusion for shoppers and for chains with branches in different cities. However, incentives are necessary to make this bill succeed. Shoppers need to be encouraged to use paper or cloth bags. Stores could award points or offer a free item to shoppers who bring their own recyclable fabric bags. Retailers also need incentives or rewards. For instance, they should receive more than half of the 10 cents charged per bag to cover their costs. Finally, some type of enforcement is needed.

Sources

Business groups object to paper bag fee in Massachusetts environmental bond bill - CBS Boston

Plastic_bag_bans_in_the_United_States

The State of Plastic Bans in the United States

Mapping the Nation's Mixed Bag on Plastic Bans

A Plague of Plastics

Reusable Grocery Bags vs. Plastic vs. Paper: The Full Comparison | ReuseThisBag.com

Massachusetts Senate Bill S.3050 is also known as An Act to build resilience for Massachusetts communities. Fast Sheet.

Hiccup Earth. "Hiccup provide[s reusable] 8 oz. silicone cups as an alternative to single use cups used at aid stations provided for runners at races.” Runners return used cups to the next aid station. Cups are washed for use in future races. “Disposable paper cups contain 5% polyurethane plastic, making composting and recycling of disposable cups extremely rare."

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