Plastic waste..... Why is the consumer left holding the bag?

Companies seem to be ignored where responsibility is concerned, but Consumers seem to be punished, when the actual problems seem to be caused at a corporate level.
The plastic bag debacle.
Sources quoted:
https://www.wired.com/2016/06/banning-plastic-bags-great-world-right-not-fast/
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/will-australia-follow-britain-s-plastic-straw-ban