The Catalan Waste Agency (ARC) is launching a new campaign targeting urban commerce to reduce the use of single-use plastic bags. Collaborating with the Directorate General of Commerce and the Department of Business and Labor, the campaign will provide small business associations with necessary training and information to ensure compliance with legal obligations.
A 2022 study by ARC reveals an increase in single-use plastic bag consumption in urban commerce, rising from 310 million units in 2020 to 365 million in 2022. Fragmentable plastic bags also saw an increase, from 9 to 27 million units. This contrasts with earlier findings where consumption had decreased significantly. The current regulations allow only compostable bags or those with at least 50% recycled plastic, yet urban shops continue to distribute prohibited plastic bags, particularly for fresh produce, with 559 million units distributed in 2022.