Phase-out of lightweight plastic bags

Kenya made the first attempt to ban the manufacturing and importation of plastic bags in 2007 and 2011 as a way to protect the environment.[239] The 2007 and 2011 ban targeting plastics below 30 microns failed after manufacturers and retail outlets threatened to pass on the cost of using other materials to consumers.[240] In 2017 the cabinet secretary of Environment and Natural resources, Prof Judy Wakhungu banned the use, manufacture and importation of all plastic bags used for commercial and household packaging under Gazette notice number 2356.[241] On 28 August 2017, Kenya began implementing a countrywide ban of single-use plastic bags. Primary packaging bags, hospital waste bags, and garbage bin liners have been exempted from the ban. The ban has been hailed as one of the most stringent in the world, with fines of up to $40000, or four years in prison.[126]

President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2019, during World Environment Day, further solidified Kenya's efforts to fight plastic pollution and in the sustainable management of waste by banning single-use plastics in protected natural areas.[242] The ban, which came into effect on 5 June 2020, prohibits the use of plastics in National Parks, beaches, forests and conservation areas.

In May 2019, The House of Representatives of Nigeria banned the production, import and usage of plastic bags in the country.[47][160]

Plastic bags were banned in the self-declared Republic of Somaliland on 1 March 2005 after a 120-day grace period that the government had given to the public to get rid of their stocks. The Ministry of Trade and Industries announced the cabinet decision in a decree titled: "Banning importation, production and use of plastic bags in the country". The bags had been nicknamed "the Hargeysa flower", as many of them ended up being blown around and getting stuck in trees and shrubs, posing a danger to livestock because the animals that feed on the leaves often ingest the bags accidentally. In 2015 the ban was repeated by Presidential Decree No. #JSL/M/XERM/249-3178/042015, again providing for a 120 days grace period to get rid of stocks. To ensure the implementation of the ban, the government constituted enforcement teams in 2016 to conduct special drives which launch probes into business stalls. At least 1000 men and women in uniform deployed into the main markets and shopping malls. The government announced fines against violators who continue selling plastic bags in the country.[193][194][195][196][197]

Plastic bags were a major concern in South Africa before the bag levy was introduced in 2004. The bags were never banned, but a levy was introduced, payable by the plastic bag manufacturer. The thicker plastic bags are levied and although this move initially caused outrage with consumers and an initial decline in volumes, consumers use has continually increased to several billion plastic shopping bags every year.[198][199]

The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar banned plastic bags in 2005.[243] Tanzania introduced plans to implement a nationwide ban on plastic bags in 2006.[244] However, its ratification had been delayed for more than ten years.[245] The ban finally came into effect on 1 June 2019.[212]

Tunisia introduced a ban on plastic bag distribution in supermarkets starting from 1 March 2017. An agreement was signed between the Ministry of Local Affairs and Environment and large supermarket chains in the country to enact the first phase of a process aiming to reduce the consumption of plastic bags.[216] Tunisian activists are planning awareness campaigns to establish greener policies in the country.[246]

Heap of trash including plastic bags in Kampala, Uganda

Uganda introduced legislation in 2007 to ban the sale of lightweight plastic bags under 30 µm thick and tax thicker bags at a punitive rate of 120%. Although the laws came into effect in September of that year,[221] they have not been enforced and have failed to measurably reduce the use of plastic bags.[247] The law is not well enforced.[248]

A strict ban was introduced in Bangladesh in 2002 after floods caused by littered plastic bags submerged two-thirds of the country in water between 1988 and 1998.[39] Plastic bags remain a big problem for sewerage system and waterways.

Cambodia passed legislation to impose a plastic bag tax in October 2017. Supermarkets now charge customers 400 Riels (10 US cents) per plastic bag should they need one.[57]

A total plastic bag ban on ultra thin plastic bags and a fee on plastic bags was introduced in China on 1 June 2008. This came into effect because of the problems with sewerage and general waste. One 2009 survey suggests that plastic bag use fell between 60 and 80% in Chinese supermarkets, and 40 billion fewer bags were used. However, first hand accounts clearly indicate, the ban has seen limited success, and that the use of plastic bags remains prevalent. Street vendors and smaller stores, which make up a significant portion of retail in China, do not abide by the policy in part due to difficulties of enforcing the ban.[63]

Hong Kong forbids retailers from giving plastic bags under a certain thickness and for free.[5] A 50 cent plastic bag levy was implemented on 1 April 2015 across Hong Kong. The use of plastic bags dropped 90% after the introduction of the levy.[64] Signs show that Hong Kong is phasing out the use of plastic bags at a dramatic rate.

A sign proclaiming that polythene bags thinner than 30 µm are prohibited in Kasaragod, Kerala, India.

In 2002, India banned the production of plastic bags below 20 µm in thickness to prevent plastic bags from clogging of the municipal drainage systems and to prevent the cows of India ingesting plastic bags as they confuse it for food.[5][111] However, enforcement remains a problem.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has also passed regulation to ban all polythene bags less than 50 microns on 18 March 2016.[249] Due to poor implementation of this regulation, regional authorities (states and municipal corporations), have had to implement their own regulation.

In 2016, Sikkim, India's first fully organic state,[250] banned the use of not only packaged drinking water bottles in any government meetings or functions but also food containers made from polystyrene foam all over the state.[251]

Himachal Pradesh was the first state to ban plastic bags less than 30 µm. The Karnataka state became first state to ban all forms of plastic carry bags, plastic banners, plastic buntings, flex, plastic flags, plastic plates, plastic cups, plastic spoons, cling films and plastic sheets for spreading on dining tables irrespective of thickness including the above items made of thermacol and plastic which uses plastic micro beads.[252][253] The state of Goa has banned bags up to 40 µm thick,[254] while the city of Mumbai bans bags below a minimum thickness to 50 µm.[255]

The state Government of Maharashtra banned plastic starting 23 June 2018.[256] The state Government of Tamil Nadu also banned plastic starting 1 January 2019.[257]

Starting in 2016, Environment Ministry enforced retailers in 23 cities across the archipelago (mini-market, hypermarket, and supermarket) to charge consumers for plastic bags between Rp.200 and Rp.5,000 for each bag including degradable plastic bags. And money which came from tax are used by retailers as public funds for waste management alongside non-governmental organizations.[112]

The island of Bali banned single-use plastic bags, straws, and styrofoam effective July, 2019.[258] Other major cities, including Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung, Semarang and Bogor, have since also banned single use plastic bags, particularly from modern retailers.[259]

Since January 2017, large retailers are required to charge consumers for plastic bags with handles, at NIS 0.10 for each bag. The tax revenues will be used to fund public waste-management programs. The average use of plastic bags in Israel in 2014 was 275 per person per year.[118] Four months after the law came into force, the number of disposable plastic bags distributed by retailers subject to the law had dropped by 80%.[260]

The Philippines is the world's third-largest ocean polluter despite a waste management act coming into effect 18 years ago. Corruption, lack of political will – and the proliferation and accessibility to single-use plastic products are the main challenges in regulating plastics.[261]

In 2010, Muntinlupa became the first local government in the National Capital Region to ban plastic bags and styrofoam in shops.[262] This was soon after followed by cities regulating or imposing bans or charges: Las Piñas (Jan. 2, 2012), Pasig (Jan. 1, 2012), Quezon City (Sept. 1, 2012, bags for a fee), Pasay (Sept. 1, 2012, bags for a fee), Makati (June 30, 2013).[263]

Metro Manila cities that have delayed imposing regulations and bans are : Taguig , Caloocan, Malabon, Valenzuela, Navotas, San Juan and Parañaque. These cities happen to be the base of hundreds of plastics and rubber manufacturing companies. In one city, a mayor's family even owns a 60-hectare “Plastic City Industrial” compound.[264]

On July 4, 2019, Senator Francis Pangilinan filed a bill seeking to phase out single-use plastic products by prohibiting its importation, manufacture and use in food establishments, stores, markets, and retailers.[265][266]

In January 2003, Taiwan banned the free distribution of lightweight plastic bags.[67] The ban prevented the owners of department stores, shopping malls, hypermarkets, convenience stores, fast food restaurants and regular restaurants from providing free plastic bags to their customers. Many stores have replaced plastic with recycled paper boxes.[267] In 2006, however, the administration decided to begin allowing free plastic bags to be offered by food service operators.[268] In February 2018, Taiwan announced plans to ban plastic bags in varying degrees, banned for in-store use by 2019, certain stores prohibited from offering bags by 2020, price increases starting 2025, then 2030 blanket ban of single-use plastic bags, as well as single-use utensils and containers.[68][69][70]

In November 2013, the European Commission published a proposal aiming to reduce the consumption of lightweight (thickness below 50 microns) plastic carrier bags.[269] Under the proposal, EU member states can choose the most appropriate measures to discourage the use of plastic bags. On 29 April 2015 the European Parliament passed Directive 2015/720 to reduce plastic bag use by 50% by 2017 and 80% by 2019.[270][271]

In 2003, Denmark introduced a tax on retailers giving out plastic bags. This encouraged stores to charge for plastic bags and pushed the use of reusable bags. It was thought that this saved about 66% of plastic and paper bags.[272] In 2004, a similar law was passed by the Inatsisartut in Greenland, which applied a recycling tax on plastic bags.[81] By 2014 Denmark had the lowest plastic bag use in Europe, with 4 bags per person per year, compared to 466 in Portugal, Poland and Slovakia.[273]

Germany banned all single-use plastic, including shopping bags in July 2021.[97]

A plastic bag charge was introduced on 1 January 2018.[98] Initially bags cost 4 cents each, which then increased to 7 cents on 1 January 2019.[274]

Ireland introduced a €0.15 tax in March 2002. Levied on consumers at the point of sale, this led to 90% of consumers using long-life bags within a year. This tax geared to change the behavior of consumers while still allowing them to choose if they want to pay an extra fee for plastic bags.[117] The tax was increased to €0.22 in 2007. The revenue is put into an Environment Fund, which is to be used for environmental projects; this is a major reason that consumers support this tax.[116][117] A study was done to look at how consumers responded to the tax at checkout and 60% were neutral over the cost while 14% of respondent were "positive" to the extra charge and 26% responded negatively.[117]

The Moldovan parliament has passed legislation banning plastic bags. It came into force for larger retailers in 2017, came into force for medium-sized retailers on 1 January 2018 and is scheduled for small retailers in 2020.[144]

The Netherlands implemented a comprehensive ban on free plastic shopping bags on 1 January 2016. The ban has a small number of exemptions for unpacked food products which are exposed to possible contamination, such as fresh fruit. The target price for a plastic bag is €0.25.[154]

A plastic recycling levy was introduced on 1 January 2018. Single-use plastic bags cost a minimum of 0.25zł (inclusive of VAT), however stores are able to charge a higher amount.[180] The Polish government estimated that the levy would bring 1.1 billion złoty to the state budget in 2018, in addition to approx. 250 million złoty of VAT revenue raised on sales of the bags.[275]

Portugal has implemented a plastic bag tax amounting to 10 cents (€) on single-use carrier bags, which led to a reduction of 90% in their use.[181] However, many retailers started selling thicker (reusable) plastic bags, which are not subject to the tax, for the same amount. Before the Portuguese government implemented this plastic bag tax, some supermarkets in Portugal had already implemented a 2 cent (€) fee on each plastic bag.[276] In Madeira Island where supermarkets implemented this bag fee, there was a 64% reduction in plastic bag consumption.[276]

A law was introduced in 2006 (law 578/2006) – and was later modified in 2011 (law 1032/2011) – that put a mandatory tax on non-biodegradable plastic bags. A modification in 2011 reduced the tax on plastic bags and was regarded by some as a step backwards from environmental protection.[277] Lightweight plastic bags were banned on 1 January 2019.[80]

Serbia has a tax on manufacturers and importers of plastic bags[188] and plans to introduce a ban on lightweight plastic bags and a charge on biodegradable bags in order to reduce bag use to under 90 per person by 2019.[278] Major supermarkets began charging 2 dinars per bag in 2018.[279]

Spain introduced a plastic bag charge on 1 July 2018.[202] Catalonia has had a bag charge since April 2017.[80][280]

In 2016, the two largest chains of supermarkets in Switzerland, the Federation of Migros Cooperatives and Coop, announced that they will progressively stop to distribute free plastic bags (at the check-out).[207] Both distributors announced that they will not make money with paid bags, but that profits from their sale will be invested in environmental projects.[209]

Migros previously tested the measure in the Canton of Vaud since 2013: they reduced the number of plastic bags distributed by ninety percent (and saved 100,000 francs per year).[207][208] Migros will be the first to introduce the measure across the country, on 1 November 2016 (the bags will be made with recycled plastic and cost 0.05 Swiss francs each).[207][208] Coop plans to introduce this in 2017.[209]

The Climate Change Act 2008 served as the legislative framework for the regulation of plastic bags in the United Kingdom.[281]

Wales introduced a legal minimum charge of 5 pence for almost all single use bags in October 2011. Paper and biodegradable bags are included in the charge as well as plastic bags, with only a few specific exemptions – such as for unpackaged food or medicine supplied on an NHS prescription. VAT raised from the charge is collected by the government. Retailers are asked to pass the rest of the proceeds on to charities.[224] July 2012 statistics released by the Welsh Government suggested that carrier bag use in Wales had reduced 96% since the introduction of the charge.[282]

Northern Ireland introduced a 5 pence levy on almost all single use bags on 8 April 2013. The levy was extended to reusable carrier bags with a retail price of less than 20 pence from 19 January 2014[225] as data from a number of retailers indicated that reusable bag sales had increased by 800% since the introduction of the levy on single use bags. The proceeds of the levy (£4.17m in 2013/14) are paid to the Department of the Environment and used to fund local environmental projects and enforce the levy. Official statistics for the Northern Ireland levy show that the number of single use bags dispensed fell from around 300 million in 2012/13 to 84.5 million in 2013/14 – a reduction of 72%.[283]

A five pence minimum charge for single-use carrier bags came into force in Scotland on 20 October 2014. The proceeds of the charge can be used by the retailers as they see fit,[226] although retailers are encouraged to pledge to donate proceeds to "good causes".[284] The charge is not exclusive to plastic bags, and includes biodegradable bags, such as paper.[226] Bags for unpackaged food, loose seeds, soil-contaminated goods, axes, knives or blades; drugs or medical appliances; small packaged uncooked fish, meat or poultry; aquatic animals; purchases made in aerodrome security restricted areas; or goods bought on board a ship, train, aircraft, coach or bus are exempt from the charge.[285]

England was the last country in the United Kingdom to adopt the 5 pence charge,[227] with the levy taking effect on 5 October 2015.[286] Prior to the introduction of plastic bag regulations, various retailers participated in voluntary actions to reduce plastic bag consumption.[287]

Unlike the rest of the UK, the English charge does not apply to paper bags or bags made from other natural materials. As with the other nations, VAT raised on sales will be collected by the Government. Retailers can choose how the money raised from bag sales is used. The Government publishes information yearly on the scheme, encouraging retailers to donate the proceeds to charities.[288][289]

In the first 6 months, 640 million plastic bags were used in seven major supermarkets in England, raising £29.2 million for good causes.[290] England reported to have distributed 0.6 billion single-use bags during the first half year of the charge,[291] 7 billion fewer than were distributed in 2014.[292] A longitudinal evaluation of the English Plastic Bag Charge found that the charge had a positive effect upon all demographic groups, with a reduction in single-use plastic bags found among all income groups, all age groups, and both men and women.[293] In addition, the study found that public support for the plastic bag charge increased just one month after it was introduced, and people who increased their support for the bag charge were also more likely to increase their support for other policies aimed at reducing plastic waste, suggesting a 'spillover' effect for policy support.[293]

To promote the growth of new businesses in England, retailers with fewer than 250 employees are exempt from the charge.[294] Opponents to the exemption of small retailers argued that this exemption would diminish the environmental impact of the charge.[295] In response to this criticism, in the UK government has announced plans to extend the charge to all retailers and double the charge to 10p, which is expected to come into effect in April 2021.[296]

Within the Bahamas, non-legislative approaches have been instituted by The Bahamas Plastic Movement (BPM), an environmental non-profit organization that utilizes research, education, citizen science and policy change as solutions. Through citizen science-based research, public education and youth activism campaigns, this grass roots entity successfully engaged the Bahamian government in enacting legislation for a single-use plastics ban (including light-weight plastic bags), to be implemented in 2020.[297]

In March 2007, the small town of Leaf Rapids, Manitoba, became the first community in North America to ban bags.[298]

The Toronto City Council voted on 6 June 2012, to ban plastic bags effective 1 January 2013, and to scrap the city's five-cent bag fee starting 1 July 2012.[299] Industry groups have convinced city officials to include a grace period between 1 January 2013, and 30 June 2013, when no fines, only warnings, can be issued.[300] The bag ban and five cent fee (six cents with HST) have both been overturned as of 28 November 2012 and it's up to individual retailers if they want to charge for plastic bags.[301] Most stores, with the exception of a few national retailers do not charge.

The Canadian government has plans to ban single-use plastics as early as 2021, the list of items to be banned includes plastic straws, cotton swabs, stirrers, plates, cutlery as well as balloon sticks.[302]

Local laws governing plastic bag use in Canada

Province/Territory	Municipality	Passage date	Effective date	Effect
Alberta	Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo	10 April 2010	10 September 2010	Single-use plastic shopping bag ban. Reusable bags must be at least 2.25 mils.[303]
British Columbia	Victoria	17 December 2017	1 July 2018	Single-use plastic shopping bag ban.[304]
Manitoba
	Leaf Rapids	22 March 2007	2 April 2007	Single-use plastic shopping bag ban.[305]
	Thompson	27 September 2010	31 December 2010	Single-use polyethylene bag ban. Reusable bags must be 2.25 mils thick.[306]
New Brunswick
	Dieppe	10 June 2019	1 October 2020	Single-use plastic shopping bag ban.[307][308]
	Moncton		1 October 2020	Single-use plastic shopping bag ban.[307][308]
	Riverview	10 June 2019	1 October 2020	Single-use plastic shopping bag ban.[307][308]
Newfoundland and Labrador	Province-wide	9 April 2019	1 October 2020	Single-use plastic shopping bag ban.[309][310]
Northwest Territories	Territory-wide		1 February 2011	Single-use plastic shopping bag charge of 25c.[311]
Nova Scotia	Province-wide	30 October 2019	30 October 2020	Single-use plastic shopping bag ban.[312]
Prince Edward Island	Province-wide		July 2019	Single-use plastic shopping bag ban.[313]
Quebec
	Brossard	16 February 2016	1 September 2016	Single-use plastic bag ban (including compostable)[314][315]
	Deux-Montagnes	2009		Plastic bag ban[316]
	Huntingdon	2008		Plastic bag ban including bags used for newspapers and flyers[316]
	Montreal	23 August 2016	1 January 2018	Ban of plastic bags including biodegradable. Reusable bags must be at least 50 microns thickness.[317]
Saskatchewan	Regina	31 May 2020		Single-use plastic shopping bag ban effective following COVID-19 pandemic.[318]
Yukon	Carmacks		1 August 2019	Single-use plastic shopping bag ban.[319]

A few municipalities in Guatemala have banned plastic bags, including San Pedro La Laguna, Acatenango, Villa Canales, San Miguel Petapa and Totonicapán.[100][101][102][103][104]

There is a working group examining a state motion to ban plastic bags in Jamaica.[320]

On 17 September 2018, the Jamaican Cabinet announced a total ban on the importation, manufacture, distribution and use of single-use plastic bags, effective 1 January 2019.[121]

Plastic bags are banned in the following states: Baja California, Mexico City, Colima, Durango, Hidalgo, Michoacán, Morelos, Nayarit, Nuevo León, Oaxaca, Querétaro, Quintana Roo, Sonora, Tabasco, Veracruz, Yucatán and Zacatecas.[140]

Panama's Assembly has passed legislation banning plastic bags.[321] The law was sanctioned by the president in January 2017 and retailers have until January 2020 to phase out their existing stock.[170]

Phase out of lightweight plastic bags in the United States (laws in GU, ME, NY, VT passed but not in effect yet not shown on map)

  Plastic bags banned

  A charge on some plastic bags

  Partial charge or ban (county or municipality level)

There is no national plastic bag fee or ban currently in effect in the United States. However, the states of California,[322] Connecticut (July 2021), Delaware (2021), Hawaii (de facto), Maine (January 2021),[323] New Jersey (May 2022),[324] New York,[325] Oregon, Vermont (July 2020)[326] and Washington (2021)[327] and the territories of American Samoa, Guam (2021), Northern Mariana Islands, US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico[328] have banned disposable bags. By September 2018, about 350 counties and municipalities had enacted ordinances either imposing a fee on plastic bags or banning them outright,[329] including all counties in Hawaii.[330] Other attempts at banning plastic shopping bags statewide (for example in Massachusetts, though as of August 2019, 122 cities and towns in the state have done so)[331][332]) have not succeeded mainly due to plastic industry lobbying.[333] A few jurisdictions have chosen to implement a fee-only approach to bag reduction such as Connecticut, Washington, D.C. and adjacent Montgomery County, Maryland.[334] Some US states, such as Florida and Arizona, have passed laws preventing local municipalities from passing their own bans.[335]

Plastic bag bans in Australian states and territories

  Ban in effect (South Australia, Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory, Tasmania, Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia

  No ban (New South Wales)

Although the nation does not ban lightweight bags, all states except New South Wales do ban them. Coles Bay, Tasmania was the first location in Australia to ban the bag.[336] The introduction of the "Zero Waste" program in South Australia led to its lightweight bag ban in October 2008. It is estimated that 400 million bags are saved each year.[337] Western Australia and Queensland banned them in July 2018 and Victoria introduced a ban in November 2019.[30][31][32]

In Australia, 6 billion HDPE bags were used in 2002.[3] Usage reduced to 5.6 billion in 2004,[4] and 3.9 billion in 2007.[3]

After the two biggest supermarket chains in Australia banned single-use plastic grocery bags, the consumption of plastic bags in Australia dropped by 80% in three months.[338]

In 2018, the Labour government pledged to phase out single-use plastic bags within a year's time. New Zealand is one of the highest producers of urban waste in the developed world, per capita, according to OECD data. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Associate Environment Minister Eugenie Sage made the announcement on 10 August 2018.[339] On 18 December 2018, the Labour Government announced that all plastic shopping bags, including biodegradable, compostable, and oxy-gradable bags, that have handles with a thickness of less than 70 microns, will be banned from 1 July 2019.[156] Retailers who do not comply could face fines of up to NZD$100,000 (£51,000)[340]

In 2012, the Buenos Aires city government allowed supermarkets to charge for plastic bags in order to discourage their use, which is said to have reduced their use by 50%.[341] In 2016 the city announced a full ban on the distribution of plastic bags in supermarkets and hypermarkets, commencing 1 January 2017.[342][343]

In 2009 the Governor of Buenos Aires Province, Daniel Scioli, approved Law 13868,[344] which mandated that by the end of that year, all non-biodegradable plastic bags should be phased out in favour of degradable materials.[345][346]

Other provinces like Neuquén, Chubut, Río Negro and cities like Rosario, Villa Gesell or Bariloche had already banned the distribution of plastic bags in supermarkets as well.[28]

In May 2018, the House of Representatives voted for a gradual phaseout of plastic bags from retailers nationwide.[347][348][349][350] In August 2018, the legislation was approved by Congress and the President,[351] making Chile the first Latin American country to ban plastic bags. Beginning on 3 August 2018, each purchase could be accompanied by no more than two plastic bags. Under the legislation, six months later, supermarkets and large retail businesses were not permitted to provide plastic bags at all, and on 3 August 2020 the total ban also began to apply to small businesses. Environment minister Carolina Schmidt said it is believed that the law eliminated the use of billions of plastic bags.[352]

Before the nationwide ban, similar rules existed regionally. As of 2017, some 80 municipalities already restricted plastic bag distribution, while some coastal and lakeside areas had banned plastic bags altogether.[353]

As of 2015, Colombia planned to reduce the use of plastic bags by 80% by the year 2020 and to completely eliminate their use by the year 2025.[354] On 29 April 2016, the Ministry of Environment passed a resolution banning plastic bags under 30 cm by 30 cm.[355]

From 1 July 2017, the Colombian Government applies a tax of 20 pesos per plastic bag, with a planned annual increase of 10 pesos per bag until 2020.[71]

A challenge has been the single-use plastic that accompanies grocery and restaurant delivery; these services were in high demand during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.[356]

In 2018, the Uruguayan Parliament approved the law Nº19655[234] that banned the production, importation and commercialization of all non-biodegradable single-use plastic bags throughout the country. Since 1 July 2019 only biodegradable bags are allowed for commercial use, with a tax of 4 pesos per bag. According to government agencies, just days after the law was approved, the use of plastic bags dropped by 80%, marking a huge success for the regulation.[357]