Bagging the Problem: The Case for Eliminating Single-Use Plastic Bags
Introduction
Since the first Earth Day in 1970, we have accomplished many environmental victories throughout the years. For instance, we got the Clean Water Act passed in 1972, the Toxic Substances Control Act passed in 1976, and the Clean Air Act passed in 1990. In more recent years, we have been working towards better fuel efficiency, protecting endangered species, and tightening down on the ozone standards. However, there is still room to be made for improvement when it comes to our environment.
With better knowledge when it comes to protecting our planet, it is worth mentioning the plastic pollution problem we still have at hand. When plastic was first introduced in 1979, it seemed like the best invention yet. They were convenient, lightweight, and cheaper than the alternative, paper bags. By the 1990s, they had taken over America( ) However, these bags call to many environmental harms, including pollution and danger to both human and animal life.
To combat this, many cities and states have taken the initiative to ban the utilization of these plastic single-use bags. In fact, even Pittsburgh, PA has a new bag policy in which stores cannot use the plastic bags. Therefore, as we approach the 54th anniversary of Earth Day, what better way to celebrate, than by making a difference for our planet, and banning the use of single-use plastic bags in our city of Butler, PA too? Single-use plastic bags pose significant harm to the environment, and banning their use is a crucial step towards mitigating this harm. If Butler truly wants to lead their citizens to a more sustainable future, they must ban the use of plastic bags.
Outline for the rest of issue brief:
- Environmental Impact of Single Use Plastics
- Pollution of land
- Threat to wildlife
- Contribution to climate change
2. Economic costs of single use plastic bags
- Cost of cleanup and waste management
- Economic burden on local gov and tax payers
- Loss of revenue due to tourism and fisheries due to environmental degredation
3. Human Health concern
- Chemcial leaching from plastic bags
- Microplastic contamination of food and water resources
4. Benefits of banning single-use plastic bags
- Reduction in plastic pollution, and asscoiate environemntal harm
- Promotion of sustainable alternatives: reusable bags
- Positive impact on public health and well-being
5. (Possibly) Existing efforts and their limitations (to show what NOT to do)
- Overview of current regulations and bans on single-use plastic bags worldwide
- Challenges in enforcement and compliance
- Loopholes and alternatives that are not effectively addressing the issue
6. Case studies and success stories
- Examples of regions, cities, or states that have successfully implemented bans or restrictions on single-use plastic bags
- Emphasize on Pittsburgh, since it is close to Butler
- Evaluation of their outcomes and lessons learned
7. A proposed solution for Butler and recommendations
- Advocacy for comprehensive bans or restrictions on single-use plastic bags
- Promotion of alternative materials and reusable bag initiatives
- Collaboration between governments, industries, and communities to address the issue effectively
8. Conclusion
- Recap of environmental, economic, and health hazards posed by single-use plastic bags
- Call to action for policymakers, businesses, and individuals to support the ban on single-use plastic bags and embrace sustainable alternatives
- Affirmation of the importance of collective efforts in safeguarding the planet for future generations