More than 600 bag policies, along with records from more than 45,000 shoreline cleanups between 2017 and 2023, were reviewed by researchers to see whether implementing bans or fees on plastic bags , The researchers found that plastic bag policies led to a 25% to 47% decrease in plastic bags as a share of total items collected in shoreline cleanups relative to areas without policies., Policies that ban or impose fees on plastic bags are associated with a 25% to 47% decrease in plastic bag litter in shoreline cleanups, according to a study published Thursday in the journal Science., From Checkout to Shoreline: A Troubled Journey. The sheer efficiency of the plastic bag is what made it a global staple—and a global problem. Lightweight, waterproof, durable, and cheap, these bags became symbols of modern convenience. But those same qualities made them an environmental nightmare. Plastic bags are rarely recycled., However, since 2020, as the percentage of the U.S. population covered by statewide plastic bag bans has doubled from 12 to 25%, we have seen a subsequent 29% reduction in the number of plastic grocery bags collected per ICC volunteer in 2022-2023 relative to pre-pandemic levels (2013-2019). There are currently 11 states with plastic grocery bag , .