Within the past few years, a large uprising against single-use plastic bags (specifically at chain supermarkets and grocery stores) has occurred. Reusable bags went from being something moms used to accessorize their groceries (and to ensure their bags were not going to break when loaded with heavy items like the cheap plastic bags to) to something found in almost every household, apartment, and even college dorm room as a way to potentially save money and combat the waste created from disposable plastic bags.
The waste from plastic bags is known to clog drains, causing floods, and destroy landscapes and wildlife. The Bangladesh floods of 1988 were partially attributed to drains clogged with plastic bags. However since 2007, over 240 cities and counties within the United States passed laws taxing or banning the use of plastic bags. A total of eight states since January 24 have banned single use plastics in an effort to cut back on the amount of waste generated by consumers within the states.
However, since these states have banned plastic grocery bags, they’re seeing a rise in other bags such as garbage bags and dog-poo bags (ones grocery bags can typically be substituted for) being sold. Per year, Americans use roughly 100 million plastic bags with the average American family using roughly 1,500 plastic bags a year. Only about 1% of plastic bags are recycled and it takes over 500 years for the plastic itself to be fully degraded in a landfill. Additionally, over 80% of plastic found in the oceans consists of these plastic bags.
On the other hand, according to National Geographic, “plastic grocery bags consume 40 percent less energy, generate 80 percent less solid waste, produce 70 percent fewer atmospheric emissions, and release up to 94 percent fewer waterborne wastes” compared to paper grocery bags. Additionally, reusable cotton bags need to be used roughly 131 times before they become as energy-effective as the plastic single-use counterpart.
Arguably the best option to use is a reusable plastic or polystyrene bags since they have the smallest carbon footprint. I know in my own life, I have seen my mom start amassing a large quantity of reusable plastic bags over the years and almost completely forgo the single-use ones. When we do have to use single-use bags, my family reuses them as garbage bags and animal-poo bags (since we have both cats AND dogs) as a way to help save money and the environment at the same time. Other families I interact with and even my own sister up here at Penn State are also reusing bags in these ways to limit the environmental impact they are having and, also, save money in the process.
It’s great that more people are starting to think more about the environment and how they are affecting it. Now more than ever, it is really important to do what we can before the affects of climate change are irreversible. I think if we are all more mindful, we can really help combat climate change. My family also uses reusable bags whenever they can. I also know that some companies are also giving out incentives for those who are being more environmentally cautious, like I know starbucks gives you 10 cents off if you get use a reusable cup. All these changes are pretty easy to make, so hopefully more people will start participate.