Proponents of plastic bag bans frequently list a number of third world nations where plastic carryout bags were banned.  For example, countries such as Bangladesh, India, Kenya, Rwanda, Botswana, Uganda, Tanzania, Zanzibar, and Ghana where full or partial bans were adopted. 

Most often cited is the severe flooding in Bangladesh that put most of the country underwater and blamed on plastic carryout bags.  A careful examination of the issue will show that other factors are chiefly responsible. Continue reading Plastic Bag Bans and Third World Nations →