Environmental Benefits of Reusable Bags Over Plastic

The Danger of Single-Use Plastic Bags

There is no doubt that plastic bags pollute the environment. At the same time, they are an intrinsic part of modern society and the way we function. As one report states, "Since their introduction to U.S. supermarkets in the late 1970s, plastic bags have become a ubiquitous presence. They were a blessing for every shopkeeper in the world, being lighter, stronger, and cheaper than the conventional paper bag" (Knight, 2007, para. 6). The cheapness and functionality of these bags led to their universal usage, and it is estimated that current global consumption of plastic bags stands at between 500 billion and one trillion per year (Knight, 2007, para. 6).

Furthermore, as more plastic bags are produced, the danger to the environment increases. As one researcher notes, "As more and more plastic bags are consumed on a daily basis, more and more plastic must be produced because, at most, only 3% of plastic bags are recycled" (Benefits of Reusable Bags, para. 1). It therefore follows that the promotion of reusable bags is an important part of preserving our already overly polluted environment.

The material used in the manufacture of plastic bags is notoriously polluting. Plastic bags are made from oil and emit toxic fumes into the environment. It is also a well-known fact that plastic is not biodegradable — it is estimated that it will take over one thousand years for a plastic bag to decompose. In chemical terms, plastic bags are made of a combination of natural gas and petrochemical derivatives, which are transformed into polymers — chains of hydrogen and carbon molecules (Go Green! Benefits of Reusable Bags). One expert described the chemical composition of plastic bags as follows: "The average plastic shopping bag is made from polyethylene — a thermoplastic made from oil — and rivals a cockroach for indestructibility" (Knight, 2007, para. 7).

Plastic bags are notorious polluters of waterways and oceans, with severely detrimental effects on the environment and natural ecosystems. When natural environments are polluted by plastic bags, the natural balance is upset, leading to negative environmental consequences. It is estimated that every hour about 200,000 plastic bags are landfilled, where they "break down into smaller, more toxic petro-polymers which eventually contaminate soils and waterways" (Knight, 2007, para. 8).

Environmental Impact on Wildlife and Ecosystems

Plastic is also responsible for the deaths of many animals, which further disturbs the delicate balance in nature. As one commentator notes, "There are people that use plastic bags that have no qualms about tossing them into the water, onto the street or into the trash. Some animals then ingest it or get stuck inside it and die" (The Benefits of Using Reusable Bags). The effect on wildlife can be catastrophic, with birds becoming terminally entangled and, according to a World Wildlife Fund report in 2005, plastic bags affect nearly 200 different species of sea life — including whales, dolphins, seals, and turtles — which die after ingesting plastic bags they mistake for food (Knight, 2007, para. 7).

There are also a number of other environmental consequences to consider. Plastic bags clog storm drains and block the natural flow of oxygen and water through the soil, all of which contributes to increasing pressure on the sustainability of the environment and ecosystems (Single-Use Plastic Shopping Bags, 2008).

Conclusion

The danger posed by plastic and other forms of single-use containers and bags is a real and persistent threat to the environment. We cannot afford to ignore this threat in light of the contemporary deterioration in the world's environment and natural ecosystems. The reality of climate change and global warming underscores the necessity of finding alternative, more eco-friendly types of containers and packaging.