Increasing awareness of the environmentally harmful effects of plastic bag production and disposal has been a significant catalyst for businesses to offer environmentally friendly options. Paper bags and other types of reusable shopping bags have understandably become more popular and the preferred option for businesses that have a serious commitment to environmental protection.
Plastic bags are in no way “green”:
Plastic bags have been in existence since 1957 and over these years we have become ever more reliant upon them. Plastic bags have successfully fulfilled many uses, such as: carrying and packing items, for food storage and even as garbage receptacles — to mention just a few. Although they may have made life easier for a number of us, the incredible and destructive environmental impact of plastic bags is cause for alarm and concern.
To an extent, it is reassuring that more and more people have a greater understanding of the environmental problems and effects that result from the production, use and disposal of plastic bags. Many people realise that plastic bags do not easily decompose, but few realise the excessive number of years that it takes in reality; plastic bags that find their way into landfill take up to one thousand years to decompose.
Plastic bags also have a tendency to disintegrate into tiny toxic pieces that pollute water and soil. It is quite often the case that these fragments become litter that detract and destroy the natural environment.
It is important to be aware that significant amounts of oil are used in the processes involved in the manufacture of plastic bags. This use of oil really cannot be justified; it could be better used for purposes of heating or as fuel.
What about reusable bags?
As you can imagine, our use of plastic bags extends to an incredible number of purposes; the most common use of plastic bags is the carrying and transporting of shopping. In light of this, a more environmentally sound option for this purpose is required and fortunately, such an option exists – reusable shopping bags!
If they are made of high-quality materials that protect rather than harm the environment during production, reusable bags represent a far more environmentally wise choice for carrying goods. The fact that these bags also do not need to be disposed of or discarded following their use represents another benefit of reusable bags.
Made from materials such as: hemp, calico, cotton and paper, reusable bags can overcome the issues of plastic bag production and disposal. As a variety of businesses provide their own reusable bags for promotional purposes, consumers rarely have to set out to purchase their own collection of such shopping bags.
Plastic bags offer absolutely no environmental benefits. Reusable shopping bags represent a good solution and alternative to the environmentally problematic use of plastic bags.
Plastic bags cause environmental problems as they are produced and disposed of and as reusable bags counter a number of these problems, they are evidently more ‘green’ than their counterparts. Given this, there is no shortage of good reasons to work towards the elimination of plastic bags altogether.
