What's so bad about plastic bags?

Question

Are we killing the environment?

Answer 1

Interesting question!

Truthfully, the big issue with plastic bags is that they go to landfill and then don't readily decompose. There are also those who fear that when they end up in the ocean, they can provide a place where fish can become trapped (this is generally not that common of a problem, however, but environmentalists still love to play it up). The polymers industry is now trying to find ways to make plastic bags (and other goods) from materials that can be incinerated for energy without putting large amounts of hydrocarbon into the environment (thereby contributing to smog).

Paper bags, on the other hand, require tremendous amounts of trees to be cut down and significant amounts of energy to convert to paper (not to mention the large amounts of caustic chemicals that are used in the pulping process). Only about 15% of finished paper products can be made from recycled material (with the exception of the material that egg cartons are made from), otherwise the fibers are not long enough to produce strong paper (the cellulose fibers are broken down significantly by re-pulping).

The final option is the cloth bag. Sounds great, but is relatively impractical. The reusability is appealing, but the need to wash it after every use or mend it (not to mention having to bring a whole bunch of bags with you to the supermarket, since you never know what you're going to buy) makes it a less attractive option. They're also fairly spendy, in the big picture of things.

So, really, the answer is that none of the options are all that great, but plastics do have some advantages. They're stronger than paper, they have great post-consumer uses (disposal of diapers or refuse from the cat box) and they the potential for reusability or recycling if your grocery store participates in a reuse or recycle program.

Answer 2

Plastic isn't digestible and may reason intestinal blockages if it makes it by the throat without getting stuck. an complete plastic bag is a significant problem because it probable will reason a blockage. If he ate the full bag he desires to be considered with assistance from an emergency vet ASAP (at present). somewhat piece of a plastic bag does not be healthful yet may merely go by their equipment till they pooped it out.

Answer 3

They choke life out of living things........
They cause cancer to human being if swallowed....
They are the stupidest thing that human create to suffocated themselves.....
They cannot be dispose easily(non-biodegradable).....
Why can't people just use paper bags instead of plastic bags??

Answer 4

Plastic is made out of oil and can also choke wildlife. That's why my family takes paper 70% of the time.

Answer 5

waste of plastic. many are used only once, and thrown out, or they pollute

Answer 6

As above.....
You should see the townships in South Africa.

Answer 7

They don't biodegrade