Legislators in New Mexico are considering banning single-use plastic bags, a move that could help spur sales of branded reusable alternatives like tote bags.

State Senator Jeff Steinborn, a Democrat, has introduced Senate Bill 243, which would bar retailers that include grocery/liquor stores, restaurants, pharmacies and others from providing single-use plastic bags to patrons.

As a substitute, the bill would allow retailers to give customers recyclable cardboard boxes – which the proposed legislation says are those made of non-waxed cardboard or paper.

Recycled content paper bags, which the bill says are those that are 100% recyclable and made from 40% post-consumer recycled content, would be allowed, too. Of course, retailers can provide/sell branded reusable tote bags. So could other local businesses that, conscious of the ban, could help out their clients and market through the giving out of branded reusable totes – especially those made from environmentally friendly material.

It’s notable though that there can be too much of a so-called good thing. In certain places where single-use plastic bag bans have gone into place, such as New Jersey, some consumers have complained of a glut of reusable bags – something critics say undercuts the sustainability ethos behind the single-use plastic bag bans. Promo products distributors should keep that in mind as they advise clients.

As with other single-use plastic bag bans, the impetus for advocates in New Mexico is to protect the environment. Plastic bags can cause litter and pollute habitat, endangering wildlife.

“The average person uses over 300 single-use plastic bags a year, which is a staggering number,” Steinborn said, the Santa Fe New Mexican reported. “Less than 5% of them are recycled, and, conversely, what we’re seeing with plastic is that it never really biodegrades, so we’re putting a lot of harmful substances into the environment that will be around for a very, very long time.”

Steinborn’s bill is likely to generate opposition from retailers and grocers. Some Republicans in the legislature have also spoken up to say the ban is misguided, arguing that single-use plastic bags can be recycled and/or reused. The New Mexico state Senate’s Conservation Committee was scheduled to consider Steinborn’s bill on Feb. 14.

Overall, nine states have banned/heavily restricted single-use plastic bags, including California. A tenth, Hawaii, has a de facto ban. Various cities and towns throughout the United States have instituted localized bans in recent years, including Santa Fe, NM. Canada has banned the manufacture and import for sale of single-use plastics, including bags, cutlery, food service wares and more.

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