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So, there is some interesting data on this in the data. Most of the North American waste comes from central America and the Carribean. The US and Canada combine

So, there is some interesting data on this in the data. Most of the North American waste comes from central America and the Carribean. The US and Canada combined are responsible for .27% of global plastic emission. Guatamala emits .73%, Panama emits .53%, Haiti .71%, and the Dominican Republic .64%. Banning plastic bags won't do anything here. This is about countries not having sufficient waste disposal systems. If you want to have an impact on this, don't push for bans on plastic bags and other single use plastics. Donate to NGOs that help build new waste management systems in affected countries and push for federal grants to such organizations (if in the US). As a side note, SUP bans actually have a number of unintended negative consequences, and it is not clear that they are even a net positive for the environment. Depending on who you ask, the environmental impact of such bans ranges from significant to marginal, and CO2 emissions from plastic bags is likely far better than alternatives. Source for C02 claim: https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2020/04/30/plastic-paper-cotton-bags/ https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2020/04/30/plastic-paper-c...

OrvalWintermute 5y ago
I know the context is ocean pollution and my response is very anecdotal, and local watershed. Since the County & State put additional costs on plastic bags, the amount of them strewn all over the local parks, and the key creek in our area has dropped dramatically. I still do see plastic bottles mainly from water, and aluminum cans both for soda and beer, but not much else.
- nomaxx117 5y ago
  These actions do reduce litter, but most ocean emission is the result of a complete lack of waste disposal systems. The quantities involved are always far larger in situations where a very large portion of waste is simply dumped into a river.

OrvalWintermute 5y ago

I know the context is ocean pollution and my response is very anecdotal, and local watershed. Since the County & State put additional costs on plastic bags, the amount of them strewn all over the local parks, and the key creek in our area has dropped dramatically. I still do see plastic bottles mainly from water, and aluminum cans both for soda and beer, but not much else.

nomaxx117 5y ago
These actions do reduce litter, but most ocean emission is the result of a complete lack of waste disposal systems. The quantities involved are always far larger in situations where a very large portion of waste is simply dumped into a river.