Plastic bag bans and fees curb US shoreline litter, study suggests

A recent study suggests that plastic bag bans and fees in the United States have been effective in reducing shoreline litter. The research analyzed data on shoreline litter and found that areas with policies targeting plastic bags experienced a relative decrease in the percentage of plastic bags among the overall litter. The study examined data from the Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup program, which collects information on the types of litter found along the country's shorelines. The findings indicate that plastic bag-specific policies, such as bans and fees, have contributed to a lower proportion of plastic bags in the overall litter collected. The study's authors note that while the exact impact varies, the results provide evidence that these policy interventions can effectively curb the presence of plastic bags on US shorelines. The findings underscore the potential for targeted measures to address the growing issue of plastic pollution in coastal environments.