How can we not use them and what can we replace them with. Would this really help the environment?
2007-03-29 12:24:03 · 14 answers · asked by AG74 1 in Environment
I come from a state in Australia called Tasmania. On the east coast of my Island home there's a town called "Cole's Bay". About 5 years ago, as the plastic bag debate was raging here, this tourist village took it upon themselves to outlaw them from every business in the town due to their overrepresentation in landfills and street rubbish.
They became the talk of the nation! How dare they! ...but they did effect the ban and it has proven to be incredibly successful, with many many other towns in Australia clamouring for the newly-found green accolade "plastic-bag free" town!
The replacements have been made with green polyetheylene bags for groceries and recycled paper bags for smaller purchases. I have not seen any figures for any reduction in landfill but the whole scheme is still in it's early stages. There will, therefore, be a delay before any such studies are attempted...
One of the reasons it hasn't taken off in a big way in the capital cities is the fact that once you get to a large scale, there are vested interests who would rather not see their empires crumble - the makers of the humble plastic bag have put out some very spurious data in denial of there being a waste problem as well as a survey showing that a ban on plastic bags would cost a lot more than it would save.
Hope this helps!
Love and Light,
Jarrah
2007-03-29 12:42:26 · answer #1 · answered by jarrah_fortytwo 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They actually went to those plastic bags after years of using paper. I don't know why exactly probably manufacturing costs along with more used to go into paper bags which in an elderly area such as Florida probably was a inconvenience for many residents. Plastic bags can be recycled which is the good thing because unfortunately i don't believe they will be leaving any markets any time soon for the previous 2 reasons
2007-03-29 19:36:56 · answer #2 · answered by godwhatworks 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I shop at Stater Bros. markets. They have cotton bags with handles you can buy to put groceries in. You can also ask for paper at any supermarket.
Although plastic bags make up only a small percentage of all litter, the impact of these bags is nevertheless significant. Plastic bags create visual pollution problems and can have harmful effects on aquatic and terrestrial animals. Plastic bags are particularly noticeable components of the litter stream due to their size and can take a long time to fully break down.
2007-03-29 19:32:46 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Everyone must know that burning plastic bags with garbage is also the cause of global warming....Isn`t it our moral duty to save the earth from destruction? We can replace plastic bags with different types of durable bags that do not need disposing immediately and help reduce garbage..
2007-03-29 19:45:31 · answer #4 · answered by Fir 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
LOL
Haven't we had this conversation before? Something about paper bags cutting down all of the trees?
Tell you what: You figure out a system to make a dozen canvas or burlap bags easy to bring back for recycling, maybe using a deposit system, and sell it. You'll make million$.
2007-03-29 20:29:41 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make paper bags cheaper. That's the only reason they use them.Paper is made from wood so it would rot and go back into the environment.That parts better but you got to cut down trees so I don't really know.But i say paper is better than bags.
2007-03-29 19:41:10 · answer #6 · answered by roster 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I havent used plastic bags for over a year now, I only use "green bags". I hate when your shopping and shop keeper gives a plastic bag for only one or two items, disgrace!!
2007-03-30 03:44:13 · answer #7 · answered by myself 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure. We can use paper bags or reusable canvas bags. It would reduce landfill waste, oil consumption (plastic is made from oil), and save grocery stores money if they didn't have to buy so many bags.
2007-03-29 20:02:57 · answer #8 · answered by Roman Soldier 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Have you seen the green environmental bag at the supermarkets. I have at least thirty of them because there environmentally friendly and are cheap.
2007-03-30 05:48:06 · answer #9 · answered by Gurlygurl2 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ya we can just buy those cloth fabric bags which are reusable. just bring them whenever u go shopping and they'll put ur food in there instead of using bags, or at least recycle them. it would make a big difference, u'd be surprised
2007-03-29 21:02:19 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋