The concern over COVID-19 has created a strong reversal around the country regarding the use of reusable bags, even in municipalities and states that had gone as far as to ban the use of plastic shopping bags. | Wikimedia commons
The concern over COVID-19 has created a strong reversal around the country regarding the use of reusable bags, even in municipalities and states that had gone as far as to ban the use of plastic shopping bags. | Wikimedia commons
The concern over COVID-19 has created a strong reversal around the country regarding the use of reusable bags, even in municipalities -- such as Albuquerque -- that had gone as far as to ban the use of plastic shopping bags.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, seven U.S. states have bans on plastic bags. A number of major cities have also implemented bans independent of state action.
In 2019, lawmakers at the state level across the U.S. introduced 95 different bills to either ban or add fees to the use of disposable plastic bags.
Yet, fears that reusable bags could serve to transmit the virus to workers and customers have created a swift move back to the use of the disposable plastic bags Americans were coming to revile.
Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller recently reversed the city’s ban on plastic bags, giving a 30-day window when the disposable bags can be used in place of the reusable bags that some public health officials have said could serve as a means of transmitting coronavirus.
“For the next thirty days, businesses in Albuquerque will temporarily be allowed to use any type of plastic bag for their customers and the City’s Environmental Health Department will suspend enforcement of the plastic bag ban citywide,” Keller said in a public announcement.
Keller said the move came in response to concerns from businesses and workers, as well as a paper bag shortage after COVID-19 restrictions went into place.
Similar responses have taken hold around the nation.
In Denver, a fee scheduled to be levied on plastic bags beginning in July may be pushed back to 2021.
Delays have already been implemented for plastic bag bans in Maine and New York.
In Massachusetts, Gov. Charlie Baker not only removed restrictions on plastic bags, but banned the use of reusable bags.
“From now on, reusable bags are prohibited and all regulations on plastic bag bans are lifted,” Baker said.
Beyond government actions, some stores have already taken independent action to prohibit reusable bags.
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