Plastic bags are used for 12 minutes and take more than 300 years to decompose.

On average, a plastic bag is used for only 12 minutes, but it can take more than 300 years to fully decompose. According to the OECD's Global Plastics Outlook, in just two decades, annual plastic waste production worldwide has doubled, from 180 million tonnes to over 350 million. Plastic waste is projected to nearly triple worldwide by 2060: half of all this waste will still be landfilled, and less than a fifth will be recycled.

In 2025 it is expected that For every 3 tons of fish swimming in the oceans, there will be 1 ton of plastic.If the data holds true, the oceans will contain more plastic than fish by 2050, according to UN data.

An estimate by the NGO OceanWatch Australia indicates that we use 5,000,000,000,000 plastic bags per yearThis means that 160,000 bags are used every second. The average number of bags per person per year would be 700.

Plastic bag legislation

According to a United Nations document and a Statista report, 91 countries around the world have approved some form of full or partial ban on plastic bags by 2024. Africa leads the way in plastic bag bans. The main reason is poor management of plastic waste, which poses a threat to coastal communities. Although plastic bag bans are especially popular in Africa, the European Union has opted to charge a fee (or tax) to limit their use. However, the number of bags has been declining, as more countries on the continent are banning, for example, smaller and thinner bags, which are less likely to be reused.

Of the 25 tons of plastic waste produced in Europe each year, only 30% is recycled, 39% is incinerated and 31% ends up in landfills, according to data from the European Commission.

According to the waste treatment specialist company RTS, Plastic bags are 100% recyclableThe end result would be the same product: plastic bags that are reused.

Tips for reducing plastic bag use

Have alternatives

Always carry a reusable bag in your backpack or purse to have on hand when needed.

Reject them

Discard plastic bags if you buy only a few items and can carry the products in your hand.

Buy in bulk

Buy in bulk and use your own containers to reduce the use of plastic bags and packaging.

Reuse them

Create a "bag of bags." This is a simple strategy to promote reuse and avoid buying new bags every time we go shopping.

Infographic on the role of the ARA Domingo