But despite these concerns, the consumer market for single-use plastics skyrocketed in the 1970s. While no federal ban exists in the United States, the Department of the Interior is phasing out all single-use plastics in national parks and some public lands by 2032. Internationally, China banned single-use plastic straws in restaurants and single-use plastic bags in major cities; the European Union banned most single-use plastics as of July 1, 2021; and several other countries have implemented or are considering such bans. From aiding people with disabilities to keeping food fresh, from reducing transportation emissions to aiding in medical treatment, single-use plastics are much more than “convenient.” People with disabilities rely on single-use plastics for a variety of reasons. Single-use plastics keep patients and providers safe by providing them with tools and drugs that are sterile.
