Mexico City Bans Bags: 6 Ways to Join In

Stores across Mexico City went bagless this week as amended ordinances on solid waste prohibited businesses from giving out non-biodegradable plastic shopping bags. The law affects all stores, production facilities and service providers within the Federal District (which encompasses the city limits) making Mexico City the second large metropolitan area in the Western Hemisphere to outlaw the bags. In 2007, San Francisco enacted an ordinance to phase out the bags, and Los Angeles is set to impose a ban if the state of California does not enact a statewide 25-cent fee per bag.

Isn’t that great?! Between 500 billion and one trillion plastic grocery bags are produced worldwide each year. (Isn’t that not great?!) The average number of plastic bags consumed every minute around the world is roughly 1 million a minute. Not too shocking to hear that plastic bags are the second-most-common form of litter, behind cigarette butts. The bags are the greatest form of litter on the globe’s oceans, the U.N. agency said in a recent report, resulting in the estimated death of 100,000 whales, turtles, and other marine animals annually.

In the United State alone, 12 million barrels of oil are required to produce enough plastic bags to appease our needs. And then there’s that little decomposition problem: 500 years in the landfill. About 90 percent of the bags used in the United States are not recycled.

According to a report from CNN, other places are taking the problem seriously as well: China has adopted a strict limit, reducing litter and eliminating the use of 40 billion bags, the World Watch Institute said. In Tanzania, selling the bags carries a maximum six-month jail sentence and a fine of 1.5 million shilling ($1,137). Mumbai, India, outlawed the bags in 2000 and cities in Australia, Italy, South Africa and Taiwan have imposed bans or surcharges. Ireland reported cutting use of the bags by 90 percent after imposing a fee on each one.

Next: What you can do–6 tips.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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Beth M.

3:24PM PDT on May 11, 2011

It's time for other towns/cities to follow suit. Personally I prefer using my recycled market bags. They're sturdier

send a green star

Annmari L.

11:50AM PST on Feb 17, 2011

Most stores in Sweden charge you 30 cents for a plastic bag and 50 cents for a paper bag. (And, you have to pack your own stuff!) But, still, people tend to buy a new bag every time they go shopping which means lots of plastic bags all around. Many, however, use the plastic bags for the trash. I'm glad some major cities around the world are taking steps towards the elimination of plastic bags, because paper bags are re-usable for a long time and then easy to recycle. Thanks for sharing!

Theresa D.

12:02PM PST on Feb 10, 2011

Thank you Mexico City.

David N.

12:10PM PST on Dec 23, 2010

This great to hear! Mexico City is one the largest populated cities in the world. Congratulations on being a leader. Let's get China to follow!

Alec S.

8:56PM PST on Dec 15, 2010

Blessedly the beat goes on. Two years until no more plastic bags anywhere, ever... Can we, could we? Yes.

CuauhtÃ©moc G.

8:17PM PST on Nov 13, 2010

Unfortunately, most of the people are very dirty in Mexico (all over the country) and we have a huge big problem with garbage on the streets.

Police does not enforce law and they do not apply fines to people who litters.

Plastic bags and plastic straws and disposable fast food containers are a huge problem that is going to have big costs to solve.

I hope that other cities around the world follow the example of Mexico City and San Francisco. That should help other cities and governments to follow and do the same.

Cuauhtemoc Glez., Veracruz, Ver., Mexico

Lupe G.

9:20AM PST on Nov 10, 2010

This is a win-win situation; we don't have to ruin our planet with this junk in our air & landfills & the companies don't have to buy these bags anymore to accomodate shoppers! How can any store be mad at saving money?!

ChanTlalok Rain C.

3:09PM PDT on Sep 21, 2010

thanx Melissa, great comments, God Bless, Hooray for Mexico City. Now what is wrong with Dallas, Houston, or other major Gringo Cities?

Chinmayee J.

5:09AM PDT on Sep 19, 2010

Fabulous, I only hope that everyone obeys this law...also thanks for the tips, I didn't really think about knotting the bags before throwing them away - if I do have to use a plastic bag that is...thanks for sharing :)

Trish K.

6:33PM PDT on Sep 16, 2010

My store gives me Five Cents for each bag I bring in.
I hope our state bans plastic. I hope all states will.
Bravo Mexico City