https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/03/127-countries-now-regulate-plastic-bags-why-arent-we-seeing-less-pollution?fbclid=IwAR3uZrIJvGesYzIMb3VF7OSozNjsC4irSfvKDYVnBQqEA2jhfn0iNYG-HrQ

Every year, about 8 million metric tons of it ends up in the ocean, where it can harm fish and wildlife, and, once it enters the food chain, threaten human health. Plastic can enter the food chain in many ways; for example, plastic is broken down and ends up in the ocean and marine animals we eat. Bits of plastic have even been found in the waste of people in Europe, Russia and Japan, according to research from a small pilot study. Contamination of water bodies with plastic and its byproducts is a major environmental hazard, according to the UN.

Companies produce an estimated 5 trillion plastic bags a year. Each one can take more than 1,000 years to decompose, and few are recycled.

Part of the reason plastic pollution continues is that the regulation of plastic bags is extremely uneven worldwide, and many loopholes exist. Here are a few reasons why plastic bag regulations are not yet effective in slowing down ocean pollution:

Most countries fail to regulate plastic through its lifecycle.

Very few countries regulate the entire lifecycle of plastic bags—from manufacturing and production, use and distribution, to trade and disposal. Only 55 countries comprehensively restrict the retail distribution of plastic bags, in tandem with restrictions on manufacturing, production and imports. The rest include loopholes that could fail to curb overall plastic pollution. For example, China bans plastic bag imports and mandates that retailers charge consumers for plastic shopping bags, but does not explicitly restrict their production or exportation. Ecuador, El Salvador and Guyana only regulate the disposal of plastic bags, but not their importation, production and retail use.

Companies produce an estimated 5 trillion plastic bags a year. Each one can take more than 1,000 years to decompose, and few are recycled.

Part of the reason plastic pollution continues is that the regulation of plastic bags is extremely uneven worldwide, and many loopholes exist. Here are a few reasons why plastic bag regulations are not yet effective in slowing down ocean pollution.Governments oftentimes fail to provide subsidies for reusable bags. They also fail to require recycled content to be used in plastic or biodegradable bags. Only 16 countries we reviewed had rules regarding the use of reusable bags or plastic alternatives, such as bags made from plant-based materials.