The Solution ⋆ Stardust Sustainables

The Solution already works

There are countless case studies that show the undeniable effectiveness of plastic bag bans and their overwhelmingly positive impact on the environment and communities. With such widespread results, the better question is why isn’t everyone doing it? There is certainly backlash and attacks from the plastic industry fighting against legislation but we can certainly take accountability for our personal actions.

Real Solutions

Plastic bag bans and taxes

Successful bans and taxes have been implemented all over the world, from Rwanda, China, India, Ireland, to the EU. The U.S. does not have any National legislation but the following cities have implemented plastic bag bans: Austin, Cambridge, Mass. Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle.

Plastic bag fees

Local legislation has also started in the following cities and counties by leveraging plastic bag fees: Boulder, Colorado; Brownsville, Texas; Montgomery County, Maryland; New York City; Portland, Maine; and Washington D.C.

The real solution is non-plastic, compostable bags.

Let’s get the right solution into every community: The Stardust Standard. Banning plastic bags was a great start, but reusable plastic bags are just another problem.

At Stardust we want to make the right choice convenient for everyone to implement and be the example for positive change in their local community!

A study by San Jose, California found that a 2011 ban instituted there has led to plastic litter reduction of “approximately 89 percent in the storm drain system, 60 percent in the creeks and rivers, and 59 percent in City streets and neighborhoods.”

The City of Portland, OR made huge strides in cutting down on the plastic bag waste-stream, about 8.5 million fewer plastic bags per month.

In Washington DC a bag fee was placed on plastic bags and the little 5 cents shifted consumers from an estimated 270 million bags per year to 55 million bags per year. The businesses that reported, estimated a range of bag use down by 50%-80%.

Ireland passed a plastic bag tax in 2002 – now 22 euro cents, about 33 U.S. cents – at the register if you want one with your purchases. There was an advertising awareness campaign. Then something happened that was bigger than the sum of these parts. Within weeks, there was a 94 percent drop in plastic bag use. Within a year, nearly everyone bought reusable cloth bags, which they now keep in the office and the back of their cars. Plastic bags became socially unacceptable – on par with wearing a fur coat or not cleaning up after your dog.

A solution is possible!

Join the movement to make ethical, sustainable purchases to ensure the health of our planet and its people.

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