Zero Plastic Bag Day

What Is Zero Plastic Bag Day?

October 5th is "Zero Plastic Bag Day" in Japan. It was established in 2002 by the Japan Chain Stores Association, an industry group for supermarkets. Its goal is to reduce waste by encouraging shoppers to bring their own reusable bags.

The Story of the "My Bag" Movement

Shopping with your own bag instead of taking a plastic one from the register is one of the simplest environmental actions anyone can take.

• 1995: a national council for waste reduction (now the Zero Waste Partnership Council) launched a "My Bag Campaign" running October 1–31
• 2002: the Japan Chain Stores Association established Zero Plastic Bag Day
• 2003: the Cabinet Office began promoting an "eco-friendly shopping campaign"
• July 1, 2020: charging for plastic shopping bags became mandatory nationwide

How Bag Fees Changed Shopping

From July 2020, plastic bags with handles became subject to fees at all retailers, including supermarkets and convenience stores. The measure was introduced to address plastic pollution, especially in the ocean, and bags now typically cost about 3 to 5 yen each. Carrying a reusable "eco bag" has since become an everyday sight.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Keep a folding reusable bag in your work bag
• Ask yourself whether you really need a bag when shopping
• Choose products with minimal or eco-friendly packaging
• Find new uses for the plastic and paper bags piling up at home

"No Bag, Thanks" Helps Protect the Oceans

More than 20 years after Zero Plastic Bag Day began, reusable bags are now part of daily life. Make October 5th a day to think again about your shopping and the waste it creates.