Plastics Bags and Sacks: Harmful yet Ubiquitous

 

Plastics Bags and Sack

Plastics bags and sacks have become an integral part of our daily lives. Whether we are going grocery shopping, carrying lunch, or taking out the trash, plastic bags are usually the packaging of choice. However, beneath their convenient and affordable surface lies a problem that is causing major harm to the environment and wildlife.

 Composition and Manufacturing of Plastic Bags

Plastic bags are typically made from polyethylene, which is derived from petroleum or natural gas. The raw materials first go through an extrusion process where they are melted and molded into thin Plastic Bag and Sack films. Often plastic bags contain non-renewable resources and chemicals like bisphenol A (BPA) that can leach out during use or break down in landfills. Their manufacturing requires large amounts of fossil fuels and produces greenhouse gas emissions.

Lifespan and Disposal Issues

Despite being so thin and seemingly fragile, plastic bags can persist in the environment for decades or even centuries before fully breaking down. Most end up as litter since they are lightweight and can blow away in the wind after disposal. Every year, an estimate one million plastic bags are used worldwide for just 12-15 minutes on average before being discarded. The vast majority of bags clog landfills and leak chemicals into the ground.

Impacts on Wildlife and Oceans

One of the gravest consequences of plastic pollution is the damage it causes to wildlife. Animals often mistake plastic debris for food and ingest bags, which can block their intestines and lead to starvation. Sea turtles, whales, dolphins, and birds are particularly at risk of plastic entanglement or ingestion that proves fatal. Around 100,000 marine animals die each year from plastic ingestion or entanglement in discarded bags and other plastic trash.

Microplastics in the Food Chain

As plastic breaks down from exposure to sunlight and wear over time, it fragments into microscopic particles called microplastics. These small plastics are almost impossible to filter out of the environment. Microplastics now permeate oceans, freshwater systems, soil, and even the air. Many species of fish and shellfish inadvertently consume microscopic plastics, passing these chemicals up the aquatic food web and potentially into the human diet as well.

Economic Costs of Plastic Bags

Beyond environmental damage, plastic bags impose hidden economic costs. Cleaning up plastic litter from beaches, parks, and waterways requires substantial man-hours and equipment. Clogged infrastructure like storm drains needs clearing to prevent flooding. The waste management industry bears high costs to collect, transport, and dispose of plastic debris. Such costs are reflected in taxes and landfill tipping fees paid by municipalities and citizens.

Alternatives to Plastic Bags

With the problems posed by single-use Plastic Bags and Sacks becoming more widely known and regulated, alternatives have gained traction. Reusable cloth bags or backpacks are durable options for transporting items. Paper bags degrade more readily in landfills but require more energy in production. Some grocery stores now provide thicker, reusable plastic bags for a nominal fee. For certain products, returnable glass bottles or no packaging are more sustainable options. Overall, reducing consumption and reusing materials as many times as possible presents the best alternative to wasteful plastic bags.

Bag Bans and Producer Responsibility Laws

In response to plastic pollution, many governments have enacted bans and laws aimed at curbing plastic bag usage. Over 30 nations and cities including China, Rwanda, and Kenya have instituted some form of plastic bag ban, either for thin bags or all bags below a certain thickness. Others have instituted consumer fees on plastic and paper bags to discourage wasteful use. California became the first US state to pass a bag ban law in 2014. Some jurisdictions require producers to fund end-of-life bag recycling and cleanup costs to internalize external pollution impacts.

As understanding of plastics’ toxic impacts grows, momentum is building for bolder global action. Plastic Bags and Sacks industry has begun developing fully compostable and bio-based plastic alternatives made from renewable feedstocks. While not a perfect solution, these could help reduce fossil fuel dependence and microplastic shedding if composted properly. Consumers are also more consciously refusing bags and buying reusable containers. With collective will, society may transition to a post-plastic future where materials are designed for recycling or natural breakdown from the outset. Major policy and corporate decisions will shape whether this vision becomes reality.

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