Plastic Bags

FACTS & STATS

Effects on Wildlife

Approximately 100,000 marine animals die each year from plastic entanglement or ingestion.
Studies found plastic in the stomachs of about 90% of seabirds.
Sea turtles often mistake floating plastic bags for jellyfish, one of their main food sources.

Human and Environmental Impact

Microplastics have been detected in human blood, lungs, and even placentas.
Plastic pollution damages ecosystems, contaminates water supplies, and harms biodiversity.
Cleanup costs from plastic pollution total billions of dollars globally each year.

Recycling and Waste

Only about 1% of plastic bags are recycled globally.
A plastic bag can take up to 1,000 years to decompose in a landfill.
Global plastic production has increased from 2 million metric tons in 1950 to over 450 million metric tons today.

Future Concerns

Experts predict global plastic pollution could double or triple by 2040–2060 without major intervention.
As plastics continue breaking into microplastics, scientists worry about long-term effects on ecosystems and human health.

NEw Mexico's
plastic bag
debate

In 2015, the City of Santa Fe passed a reusable bag ordinance that banned single-use plastic
bags and encouraged people to bring their own reusable bags. Since then, the city has worked
to protect wildlife, reduce litter, and create cleaner public areas. New Mexico should consider
similar policies because plastic pollution affects the entire state, not just Santa Fe.
Plastic bags might seem like a small issue, but they create many environmental problems. Most
are used for a short period of time and then thrown away, yet they can remain in the
environment for hundreds of years. As time goes on, they break down into smaller pieces called
microplastics that pollute water, damage ecosystems, and even harm wildlife. In 2024, Santa Fe
County reported that 24 million single-use plastic bags are used, showing just how quickly
waste can accumulate

Another problem with plastic bags is that they are difficult to recycle. The Santa Fe Solid Waste
Management Agency reported that they jam recycling machines and cannot be locally
processed. At the national level, less than 10% of plastic bags are recycled. Most of them end
up in landfills, stuck on fences and trees, or blowing across parks and roads. In a state like New
Mexico, where tourism and natural beauty are highly important, litter has a huge impact on
communities and wildlife.

The conversation regarding plastic bags has not just been on a local level but has also reached
the state level. During the 2025 legislative session, House Bill 392 was introduced. It was called
the “Single-Use Plastic Bag Act,” and it would have created a statewide single-use plastic bag
ban. The bill proposed moving the entire state toward reusable bags, just like Santa Fe, Taos,
Las Cruces, Silver City, and Carlsbad.

However, the bill did not pass. Even though supporters argued it would help protect New
Mexico’s natural beauty and reduce pollution, opponents brought up concerns about
convenience, government regulation, and the adjustments businesses would have to make.
Even though statewide legislation has failed, Santa Fe’s ordinance proves that local
governments can make the change they want to see and take action. As more cities discuss
ways to reduce waste, the debate at the state level will continue into the future.

New Mexico is known for its culture, landscapes, and beauty. Creating a statewide plastic bag
ban, along with more bans at the local level, is a great way to protect the environment and keep
our state clean for future generations.

Learn More

● City of Santa Fe Reusable Bag Ordinance
● Santa Fe County Single-Use Plastic Ordinance Information
● Santa Fe County Press Release on Plastic Waste
● City of Santa Fe Information on the 2015 Ordinance