-
FIRST WARNING LABELS PRINTED ON PLASTIC BAGS
In 1959 after the deaths of 80 babies and toddlers, suffocated by plastic dry-cleaning bags, California introduces a law to ban plastic dry cleaning bags. A spokesperson from the plastics industry “blamed parental carelessness in the deaths” and contrary to previous comments regarding reuse, argued that polyethylene film was “made and costed to be disposable.” -
INDUSTRY SHIFTS RESPONSIBILITY TO THE CONSUMER
As the single-use products industry promotes the convenience of a throw-away lifestyle, litter becomes a highly noticeable and concerning form of pollution. Keep America Beautiful, with funding from makers of single-use products, runs a series of highly successful PSAs (Susan Spotless and the Famous Crying Indian) effectively shifting blame from the producers of the products to consumers now known as, “Litter Bugs.” -
“PAPER OR PLASTIC” WARS BEGIN
The plastic grocery bag is introduced to the supermarket industry as an alternative to paper sacks.At this point, plastic produce bags had long overtaken paper bags in the produce aisle. The grocery sack market was later, in 1986, described as “paper’s last stronghold” by Mobil Chemical’s marketing manager. -
BATTLE OF THE TRADE GROUPS
Industry establishes a Washington-based trade group of 26 plastic bag companies, called the Grocery Sack Council. The Council is formed to promote the benefits of plastic over paper, price being a compelling factor. Plastic bag market share reportedly grows from 4% in 1981 to 50% in 1988. In 1983, the American Paper Institute reportedly funds Jeanne Bakelar as she leads a nationwide campaign along with a number of women’s clubs, to bring paper bags back into stores. -
BAG BAN PROPOSED IN NEW YORK – INDUSTRY FILES LAWSUIT
Suffolk County New York passes a law banning the use of plastic grocery bags and other plastic food containers effective in July, 1989. The Plastic Bag Association, Society of Plastics Industry, Flexible Packaging Association and others in the plastics industry work together to get the law overturned. The Society of the Plastics Industry files a lawsuit and is victorious in 1990. -
PUBLIC OUTCRY IN MAINE
Maine bans single-use plastic bags at retail checkout in January. In 1991, the law is overturned. -
PLASTIC BAGS BECOME UBIQUITOUS
80% of grocery bags used are plastic. -
GREAT PACIFIC GARBAGE PATCH
Algalita Marine Research Foundation begins to document what it refers to as the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch”, bringing awareness to the issue of plastic pollution in the marine environment, specifically the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre. In 1998, the Plastic Bag Association’s Elementary and Middle School Education Program gets traction with 10,000 requests. -
INDUSTRY CONFLICT
George A. Makrauer, President of the Plastic Bag Association delivers a warning to the industry at its Annual Meeting, when that group was being merged into the Society of the Plastics Industry. In 2009, he publishes the presentation with the following description: “The public’s disdain for things ‘plastic’ — especially bags — is due to shameful and short-term industry ‘leadership’ without care or concern for any long-term and science-based support.” -
WIND BLOWN LITTER CAUSES ACTION
In response to being visually overwhelmed by plastic bags at the landfill in Chico, California Andy Keller is inspired to help Americans dispose of fewer unnecessary single-use plastic bags. He creates a reusable bag designed to fit in a pocket. The ChicoBag Company is created. -
ROAD BLOCK
California Assembly Bill 2449, the “Plastic Bag and Litter Reduction Act” is passed, making locally imposed plastic bag fees within the state of California illegal. San Francisco is not able to move forward with their fee proposal. -
ROAD BLOCK BACKFIRES
Since fees become illegal, San Francisco passes a ban on single-use plastic bags. The cities of Oakland and Fairfax, California quickly follow San Francisco’s lead and ban plastic bags. -
WALMART STARTS TO BAN THE BAG
The retail giant tests consumer reaction to a phase out of single-use plastic bags in a handful of California stores. Wal-Mart isn’t alone and joins Ikea, Whole Foods, Costco and Target in voluntary efforts to reduce single-use bag waste. -
MODEL BAG LEGISLATION ADDRESSES PAPER TOO
California, in an attempt to unify the state with one law regarding single-use bags, proposes a ban on plastic bags and a 5-cent fee on paper bags, addressing the behavioral argument that people would switch to paper if plastic bags were banned. Again, countless dollars are spent on campaign contributions, advertisements and lobbyists. The bill is defeated; however the defeat only proves to galvanize the grassroots movement.
