In ireland a 22c plastic bag tax has reduced usage by as much as 90.
Plastic bags usage europe.
Averaging just 4 bags per person per year.
They must also ensure all.
The european parliament has voted for a complete ban on a range of single use plastics across the union in a bid to stop pollution of the oceans.
Portugal has seen a drop in excess of 85.
Under the eu members must reduce their average plastic bag consumption from 200 bags per person in 2015 to 90 bags per person in 2019 and 40 bags per person by 2025.
And since imposing a tax in 2003 denmark has seen the lowest plastic usage in europe.
Half of the plastic collected for recycling is exported to be treated in countries outside the eu.
Kroger and safeway supermarket chains adopted the use of plastic bags in 1982 with other chain stores soon following suit.
Some 30 of all the generated plastic waste is collected for recycling and recycling rates by country vary a lot as shown in the infographic.
In europe energy recovery is the most used way to dispose of plastic waste followed by landfill.
By 1979 plastic bags were controlling 80 of the bag market in europe.
In 1994 denmark was the first country to begin charging a tax on them.
Meps backed a ban on plastic cutlery and plates.