Band 8 model answer

Single-use plastic bag bans have been adopted by governments across the world, from Rwanda to the European Union. I regard them as an effective and justified policy, though their impact depends considerably on the quality of implementation and the availability of alternatives.

The environmental rationale is compelling. Lightweight plastic bags are notoriously difficult to recycle, persist in the environment for hundreds of years, and pose a well-documented threat to marine ecosystems. In countries such as Rwanda, where a comprehensive ban was introduced in 2008 and enforced rigorously, the visible reduction in plastic litter has been substantial, and the country has become a model for other nations considering similar measures.

From a behavioural economics perspective, bans or levies on plastic bags are also effective at changing consumer habits. Studies following the introduction of a five-pence charge on single-use bags in England found that usage dropped by over ninety percent within a year. When the convenience of plastic becomes associated with a small cost or inconvenience, consumers adapt quickly to reusable alternatives.

Critics argue that bans displace rather than eliminate plastic use, as consumers may simply switch to heavier reusable bags that require far more material to produce and must be used many times before they represent an environmental improvement. This is a legitimate concern: a cotton tote bag must be reused a very large number of times to offset the resources consumed in its production. Policy designers must therefore encourage genuinely reusable alternatives rather than simply shifting the problem.

Overall, plastic bag bans are effective when implemented thoughtfully, enforced consistently, and paired with public education about the environmental value of genuinely reusing alternatives. The policy direction is sound; the details determine the outcome.