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John

How do we know our campaigns to stop plastic pollution are making a difference?

A decade of evidence proves it: Phasing out plastic bags works.

We believed from the start that stopping the overuse of the most wasteful kinds of plastic would translate to real reductions in pollution. But now it's not just a matter of belief: New research shows that bag restrictions lead to fewer plastic bags ending up as litter.[1]

When researchers analyzed the results of thousands of shoreline cleanups, they found that places with plastic bag restrictions in place had up to 47% fewer plastic bags littering the environment.[2]

They discovered that the longer an area had a plastic bag policy in place, the greater the reduction in local bag pollution.[3] These restrictions are really making a difference for the environment.

Getting plastic bags off the streets doesn't just solve the problem of unsightly litter. It also protects our health. When plastic breaks down in the environment, it turns into tiny particles -- particles that leach into water and have even been found inside the human body.[4]

When we prevent more plastic from polluting our environment, we're building a safer, healthier future for our kids and grandkids.

California gives us another example of the power of these policies. The phase-out successfully encourages people to bring their own reusable bags to the store.

It only took six months. Within half a year of California's bag restrictions becoming state law, most customers at surveyed retailers were bringing their own reusable bags or choosing not to use a bag at all.[5]

In total, the state saw a whopping 85% reduction in the number of plastic bags provided to customers.[6]

As proof of their effectiveness piles up, momentum for these impactful policies is growing fast.

It may have started when our national network helped pass the then first-in-the-nation law phasing out single-use plastic bags in California in 2014, but it didn't end there.

Since that first state law, twelve other states have passed their own restrictions on plastic bags.[7] Every state- or city-wide restriction on wasteful plastic actively reduces pollution, and builds support for nationwide action.

Together, we can go even farther to win real, common-sense solutions to the problem of plastic pollution:

* We're convincing companies to reduce their use of wasteful packaging. We've rallied our supporters to send thousands of messages to companies like Amazon, Costco, Sysco and more.
* We're winning legislation across the nation. It's not just plastic bags. One-third of Americans now live in a state with restrictions on at least one form of wasteful plastic -- from bags, to foam, to straws.[8]
* We're holding polluters responsible. PIRG helped win producer responsibility laws for packaging in Colorado, California, Oregon, Maine, Maryland and Minnesota -- and your state could be next.



None of this work would be possible without the support of people like you, John. Thanks for being with us as we continue campaigning for a cleaner and safer future for all.

Thank you,

Faye Park
President

P.S. We count on supporters like you to make our campaigns possible. You can help fuel our campaign to restrict the worst forms of single-use plastic nationwide with a donation today.
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1. Christina Kelso, "Banning Plastic Bags Works to Limit Shoreline Litter, Study Finds," The New York Times, June 19, 2025.
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2. Christina Kelso, "Banning Plastic Bags Works to Limit Shoreline Litter, Study Finds," The New York Times, June 19, 2025.
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3. Christina Kelso, "Banning Plastic Bags Works to Limit Shoreline Litter, Study Finds," The New York Times, June 19, 2025.
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4. "Here's how microplastics are harming our health," PIRG, August 27, 2024.
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5. "SB 270: Report to the Legislature: Implementation Update and Policy Considerations for Management of Reusable Grocery Bags in California," CalRecycle, February 25, 2019.
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6. "SB 270: Report to the Legislature: Implementation Update and Policy Considerations for Management of Reusable Grocery Bags in California," CalRecycle, February 25, 2019.
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7. "Reducing plastic waste in the states," PIRG, last accessed June 27, 2025.
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8. "Reducing plastic waste in the states," PIRG, last accessed June 27, 2025.
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Your donation will power our dedicated staff of organizers, policy experts and attorneys who drive all of our campaigns in the public interest, from banning toxic pesticides and moving us beyond plastic, to saving our antibiotics and being your consumer watchdog, to protecting our environment and our democracy. None of our work would be possible without the support of people just like you.

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U.S. PIRG
Main Office: 1543 Wazee St., Suite 460, Denver, CO 80202, (303) 801-0582
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