Plastic trash bags and many other common plastic products can contain toxic organochlorines, notably PCBs, known to cause developmental and neurological problems.
In the second phase of Taiwan's campaign to eliminate the usage of free plastic bags (2002), the EPA has restricted use of plastic bags thinner than 0.1 mm and any plastic shopping bags now carry a fee to consumers. The ban started with schools, government offices and military establishments, and was extended to department stores, supermarkets, convenience stores, restaurants and most other retailers. In addition, restaurants can no longer offer certain free disposable utensils. According to a plastic manufacturer, the loss of production to plastic manufacturers in the loss of approximately 5,000 jobs in the plastic film sector.