U.S. Single-Use Bag Laws Under Scrutiny in Landmark Report by Beyond the Bag Initiative

A comprehensive new report released by the Consortium to Reinvent the Retail Bag, an initiative led by the Center for the Circular Economy at Closed Loop Partners, sheds new light on the growing impact of single-use bag legislation in the United States.

According to the white paper titled “Legislation in Action: Measuring the Impact of U.S. Single-Use Bag Policies on Waste Reduction,” this is the most extensive study to date on the subject. The report evaluates how policy tools such as bag bans and fees influence both consumer behavior and environmental outcomes across different U.S. communities.

Notably, the paper provides never-before-published insights into New Jersey’s Get Past Plastic Act, a sweeping regulation that bans both plastic and paper single-use bags at large retailers and grocery stores. According to the report, the New Jersey case study offers a valuable model for how legislation can be designed to align with local needs while also minimizing unintended consequences.

“Policy is a major driver of the transition to the circular economy,” said Kate Daly, Managing Partner and Head of the Center for the Circular Economy. “While there is no single solution to reduce single-use bag waste, our rigorous analysis of legislation and in-depth understanding of consumer norm setting can provide communities with the tactical resources they need for a waste-free future.”

In addition to the policy review, the report also draws on field research from two major pilot programs launched by the Consortium in 2023. According to data cited in the report, consumer-facing interventions implemented in over 375 stores across Denver and Tucson led to a 4.8% overall reduction in single-use bags. In Denver, where local legislation was already in place, the decrease reached 11.7%, resulting in a projected annual reduction of 9.5 million bags across both cities.

Building on these findings, the Consortium announced plans to roll out a new consumer awareness campaign this summer. The campaign will encourage shoppers to bring reusable bags or decline single-use options altogether. Further details are expected to be released next month.

As bag regulations continue to gain traction across U.S. states, this report serves as a timely resource for legislators, retailers, and community leaders. For the full policy white paper, visit: closedlooppartners.com/beyond-the-bag/legislation

Source: Closed Loop Partners