One of the things I am going to do this year in honor of Earth Day is to not use ANY plastic bags from stores! A couple of months ago Clean Eating Magazine talked about how the average plastic bag gets used for about 10 minutes before it is discarded. The following is an excerpt from an article from www.alternet.org that I thought was worth sharing on this Earth Day.
A global problem
According to Vincent Coob, founder of reusablebags.com, about 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags are used worldwide every year and are causing a global epidemic. The enormous demand for plastic bags ties into the surging global demand for oil — plastic bags are made from ethylene, a petroleum byproduct. In the United States alone, an estimated 12 million barrels of oil is used annually to make plastic bags that Americans consume.
“Eliminating the use of disposable plastic bags is about more than just the environment,” said Barger, “it is about health, sustainability, economics and focusing on what kind of quality of life we want.”
A growing list of communities and countries are beginning to rethink their dependence on plastic bags. Already a complete or partial ban on the bags has been approved in Australia, South Africa, parts of India, China, Italy, Bangladesh and Taiwan.
Africa has seen an increasing problem with bags as Environmental News Network reports, “South Africa was once producing 7 billion bags a year; Somaliland residents became so used to them they renamed them “flowers of Hargeisa” after their capital; and Kenya not so long ago churned out about 4,000 tons of polythene bags a month.”
In Asia, the bags were banned in 2002 in Bangladesh after they were considered to be major factors in blocking sewers and drains and contributing to the severe flooding that devastated the country in 1988 and 1998.
Taking a different route, in 2002, Ireland imposed a 15-cent tax on bags, which led to a rapid 90 percent reduction in use. Ireland uses the tax to help fund other environmental initiatives. Bags are also taxed in Sweden and Germany, and are set to be banned outright in Paris this year.
In the United States, Californians Against Waste estimate that Americans consume 84 billion plastic bags annually. The United States has been slow out of the gate in addressing the growing problem with plastic, but recently momentum has started for positive change.
Currently 30 rural Alaskan villages and towns have banned plastic bags. And in March the city of San Francisco became the first major municipality to ban the use of plastic bags, and nearby Oakland has followed suit, but not without controversy and litigation from industry groups.
Californians themselves discard about 19 billion bags each year. Over the years a growing coalition of environmental and consumer groups have been pushing for the state to take action.
This summer their work resulted in the passage of Assembly Bill 2449, which requires all supermarkets, pharmacies and other large retail stores to provide bins to help consumers recycle.
While this is a step in the right direction, many who have been aggressive on the issue, see the law as a disappointment. “It is basically just fluff — most big stores already have the recycling bins,” said Barger.
It really gets you thinking just what the impact is if ONE FAMILY lessened their dependence on plastic bags!
So, for anyone who leaves a comment, you will get a CHANCE to win 5 recycled bags for groceries/shopping!!!
Are you going to try to do something more EARTH friendly this year??
I have tons of reusable bags, but I just wanted to comment and tell you that I experienced that 15 cent bag tax in Ireland personally – I think it’s great incentive to bring your own bags, when you have to pay 15 cents per bag! We used to bring our backpacks and lug stuff around in those!
Also, you have to pay 1 euro for a cart there, which you get back if you return it to the cart stall, which cuts down on the amount of carts floating around the parking lot!
I too have lots of reusable bags. I have been using them for some time now, keeping them in the passenger seat of my vehicle so that they are always with me when I go shopping. When my son was smaller, I used to keep three in the bottom of the stroller, so they were there for our shopping/walking trips together. Very handy.
Where we live, most stores now charge five cents per plastic bag, which isn’t much, but may deter some people from using them. Reusable bags cost about $1.00 each, and not one of mine has worn out yet, in spite of being well-used.
I like them as well, besides their value to the environment, because even heavier items do not seem to rip them as they can with plastic bags.
Last summer I started using reusable bags and absolutely love them. I got to the point where I could no longer store any more of the plastic ones to use as garbage bags and the stores around here were not recycling them yet. I love how much more they carry and how my bread doesn’t (usually) get smashed!
I have also started taking them to other shopping stores and love how when I hand it to the cashier to put my purchases in, they ask me if I want them to use this bag. lol!
Great article! I love using reuseable bags – you really can’t have enough! I’m with Jennifer – I bring recyclable bags with me clothes shopping too!
I can’t believe the impact on the environment. I love the reuseable bags. They are so sturdy. I find that not only am I using them for shopping but I am using them for picnics or to bring my craft supplies places; anything and everything where I might need to use a “bag”.
I could definitely use 5 more reuseable bags, it seems I never have enough! Great idea for a giveway!
I also chatted about Earth Day on my post today, and some snack options:)
I really need to make a better effort to use my cloth bags – I forget to bring them into the store nine times out of ten ::redface::
Such a good challenge for yourself. I think I will take it on as well. … 5 more bags would be great.
One thing I like to do is always keep a plastic bag in hand when I go out for a walk so I can pick up stray garbage. I always end up coming home with a bag full! It makes me neighborhood look so much better.
We have plenty of reuseable bags too although I have been guilty of forgetting to bring them in the store as well. And you do have to get past the clerks who look at you like you are crazy (like the one at the Broadview Target even tho they sell their own reuseable bags!!!). They are so much sturdier though. I have even purchased them from Pier One and used them for my purchases there!
yes plastic bags are awful!
I love my reusable bags! I use them all the time, I even carry a fold up tiny one in my purse just in case!
My parents told me at Christmas that the Outer Banks has banned plastic bags. At first they started charging and it didn’t reduce enough so now they aren’t there anymore at ALL. You either bring your own, purchase the reusable ones ea. time, or don’t bag your stuff.
Seattle tried to ban plastic bags but it went down in defeat, which sucked. I have tons of reusable bags that live in the car in case I forget to put them back in the car after the last use.
LOVE YOUR BLOG can’t believe i never seen it before. happy earth day to you!
They should charge you extra if you want a plastic bag, hopefully this will force people to bring their own bags. I remember when I started telling the cashiers years ago that i didn’t want a plastic bag for my small items, several asked why, i always answered “less plastic in the landfills” 🙂
We have some stores here that have done away with bags altogether. We could really use some reusable bags. 🙂
They should charge you extra if you want a plastic bag, hopefully this will force people to bring their own bags. I remember when I started telling the cashiers years ago that i didn’t want a plastic bag for my small items, several asked why, i always answered “less plastic in the landfills” 🙂
Seattle tried to ban plastic bags but it went down in defeat, which sucked. I have tons of reusable bags that live in the car in case I forget to put them back in the car after the last use.