Single-Use Plastic Bans

Single-use plastics refer to products that are usually used once and disposed of right after use, including plastic and polystyrene food and beverage containers, bottles, straws, cups, cutlery, and disposable plastic bags. Plastic production has exploded over the last decades, with onereportfinding that the world produced 139 million metric tons of plastic waste in 2021. States such asColoradoandRhode Island, and cities includingPittsburghandIrvine, California, have all passed bans on some form of single-use plastic, although a 2021 ban in Canada was recentlyoverturnedby a federal judge. With growing recognition of the negative externalities of plastics, it is likely that more such legislation will be passed in the future.