Overview

• Researchers found that plastic bag sales increased after bans were repealed in Austin and Dallas, Texas.
• The study observed that behaviors influenced by the bans persisted even after the policies were no longer in place.
• In Dallas, a 5-cent fee for single-use bags was imposed for five months in 2015 before being repealed, resulting in a temporary dip in sales.
• Austin's ban lasted from 2013 to 2018, with plastic bag purchases remaining 38.6% above baseline even 18 months post-repeal.
• The study highlights similar unintended effects in other environmental policies, such as those targeting sugary drinks and energy efficiency.