• INDUSTRY: The decision by 12 Mexican states to ban the use of plastic bags has forced the industry to cut 50,000 jobs and has produced a contraction of 2% in the sector’s performance overall, per industry numbers. Around 180 similar bills are already in the pipeline in Mexico.
• AGAINST: “It’s a mess: There are places in the country where they only prohibit giving out plastic bags in supermarkets…But in other states they ban the use of plastic bags for things like plasma and serum”, said Aldimir Torres Arenas, head of Mexico’s plastic industry association (ANIPAC).
• TOURISM: The ban came into effect this year in Mexico City, and, next July, the state of Quintana Roo -where the tourism hub of Cancún is located- will begin enforcing its own. Moreover, a full ban on single-use plastics will go into effect in Baja California Sur -where Cabo San Lucas is located- in 2021.
• POLL: Last week, a poll released by Reforma newspaper showed that a large majority of 76% of Mexico City residents supported the plastic bag ban, while 81% of them believe that it will hurt jobs in the plastic manufacturing industry, 64% believe it will also help the environment.
