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History of the Plastic Bag

Friday, May 15, 2009
Related Tags: plastic | bag | denmark | 1969 | ireland
 

Instructions

1957

  • Step 1:
    The sandwich bag is invented. This is the first true plastic bag.

1960s

  • Step 1:
    Bread and produce are sold in plastic bags as of 1969. Also in 1969, New York City becomes the first city to start collecting garbage in plastic bags.

1970s

  • Step 1:
    Retail stores begin switching to plastic shopping bags in 1974. Grocers begin using plastic bags at checkout lanes by 1977. Retail giants Sears and JC Penney are the first department stores to use plastic bags.

1990s

  • Step 1:
    Recycling of plastic bags becomes a nationwide service of supermarkets by 1992. By 1996, more than eight out of every 10 bags used is plastic. Recycling bags becomes a viable market during this decade.

Bag Tax

  • Step 1:
    Both Denmark and Ireland introduce the first plastic bag tax. Denmark starts taxing in 1994, and Ireland begins taxing in 2002.

History of the Plastic Bag Provided by eHow.com
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