Summary of Pros and Cons for Plastic Bag Regulation
Categories Plastic Bag Regulation Supporters
Litter Plastic bag litter is highly visible making
it a “low-hanging” fruit opportunity to
create more action and awareness
around litter removal and waste
reduction efforts.
Local Environmental Plastic bag litter impacts Evanston
Impact beaches and Lake Michigan. During a
one day beach clean-up around Lake
Michigan, 400 plastic bags were
collected. Plastic bags currently make
up about 0.9% of our landfilled
material, which equates to 31,000 tons
per year in Cook County.
Life Cycle Assessments The most environmental alternative is
(Environmental Impact) to use no bag whenever possible and to
use durable, washable reusable bags
when necessary. Life Cycle
Assessments reveal that paper bags
produce more waste and greenhouse
gas emissions than plastic bags but
both use significant resources.
Recycling Most commercial plastic shopping bags
on the market do not include a high
amount of recycled plastic film and
recycling programs are not capturing
the majority of plastic bag and film.
Cost Stores can save money by encouraging
“bring your own bag” and eliminate the
need to provide free plastic bags. Many
consumers already have reusable bags
and would be more likely to remember
them if plastic bags are not provided.
Reusable Bag Access While most people have reusable bags,
(specifically designed & many forget to bring them. A
manufactured for multiple coordinated reusable bag campaign for
reuses and durability) Evanston could drive down the cost of
bags for those who need them and
make a reliable bag available at
impacted retailers. People could
continue to use all types of bags
Plastic Bag Regulation Opponents
Plastic bags make up a small
percentage of municipal waste
stream at 1% and are not a
significant litter issue.
Plastic bags are not a large part of
the local (Evanston or Cook County)
waste stream and there is not a
strong local environmental impact.
Plastic bags are more
environmentally friendly than paper
bags because they require less
energy and water to produce,
generate less waste and can be
repurposed, reused and recycled.
Plastic bags are 100% recyclable,
contain recycled content and are
reused for household purposes.
Plastic bag ban will cost retailers
money as more people decide to use
paper bags which cost 3 times more
than plastic.
Cost to purchase quality re-usable
bags will put a financial strain on
lower-income households that do
not already have reusable bags.
 (including plastic) that already exist.

Dog Waste Collection There are many other sources of plastic
film that could still be used for dog
waste pick-up: produce bags,
newspaper sleeves, plastic film from
toilet paper and paper towels and film
packaging from online shopping.
Eliminating plastic bags from
shopping stores will cause more dog
owners to purchase bags for dog
waste pick-up and cost people
money.

List of Pros and Cons was summarized from feedback received at community meeting and materials
provided by residents and stakeholders.