Bags by the Numbers
Each disposable shopping bag is typically used for less than an hour.
Plastic Bag Consumption
1.Year that plastic grocery bags were introduced at supermarkets1: 1977
2.Estimated number of plastic bags used each year, world-wide2: 4,000,000,000,000
3.Number of plastic shopping bags used each year, in the US alone3: 14,000,000,000
4.Percentage of plastic bags returned for recycling2: 1
5.Annual cost to US retailers for giving away "free" bags: $4,000,000,000
6.Barrels of oil required for US annual plastic bag consumption4: 12,000,000
7.Number of marine animals killed each year due to plastic bags5: 100,000
8.Average number of pieces of plastic in each square mile of ocean6: 46,000
1.Year that plastic grocery bags were introduced at supermarkets1: 1977
2.Estimated number of plastic bags used each year, world-wide2: 4,000,000,000,000
3.Number of plastic shopping bags used each year, in the US alone3: 14,000,000,000
4.Percentage of plastic bags returned for recycling2: 1
5.Annual cost to US retailers for giving away "free" bags: $4,000,000,000
6.Barrels of oil required for US annual plastic bag consumption4: 12,000,000
7.Number of marine animals killed each year due to plastic bags5: 100,000
8.Average number of pieces of plastic in each square mile of ocean6: 46,000
Paper Bag Consumption
1.Number of paper bags consumed each year, in the US alone7: 10,000,000,000
2.Number of trees cut down for paper bag consumption, in the US7: 14,000,000
1.Number of paper bags consumed each year, in the US alone7: 10,000,000,000
2.Number of trees cut down for paper bag consumption, in the US7: 14,000,000
Plastic Bags vs. Paper Bags
Plastic bag production creates less waste than paper. However, plastic bags remain with us for a long, long time.
1.Percentage energy savings in making plastics bags, rather than paper bags: 40
2.Percentage in air pollution reduction from making plastic bags: 50
3.Percentage of waste water reduced by making plastic bags: 94
4.Number of years for a plastic bag to biodegrade as litter: 20
5.Number of months for a paper bag to biodegrade as litter: 1
6.Estimated number of years for a plastic bag to biodegrade in a landfill: 1,000
7.Number of years for a paper bag to biodegrade in a landfill: centuries
1.Percentage energy savings in making plastics bags, rather than paper bags: 40
2.Percentage in air pollution reduction from making plastic bags: 50
3.Percentage of waste water reduced by making plastic bags: 94
4.Number of years for a plastic bag to biodegrade as litter: 20
5.Number of months for a paper bag to biodegrade as litter: 1
6.Estimated number of years for a plastic bag to biodegrade in a landfill: 1,000
7.Number of years for a paper bag to biodegrade in a landfill: centuries
Plastic Bag Tax in Ireland
Charging for shopping bags dramatically reduces bag consumption.
1.Percentage of litter in Ireland due to plastic bags, before bag tax: 5
2.Percentage drop in plastic bag consumption in Ireland, after 15-cent bag tax introduced: 90
3.Annual revenue generated by Irish bag tax: €10,000,000 Reduce, reuse, rejoice!
4.Number of plastic bags prevented by the Irish bag tax, annually: 1,000,000,000
1.Percentage of litter in Ireland due to plastic bags, before bag tax: 5
2.Percentage drop in plastic bag consumption in Ireland, after 15-cent bag tax introduced: 90
3.Annual revenue generated by Irish bag tax: €10,000,000 Reduce, reuse, rejoice!
4.Number of plastic bags prevented by the Irish bag tax, annually: 1,000,000,000
The choice is clear: Carry your own bag.
-Si Ting
