Do Plastic Bag Bans Work? The Green Reasons for More Information
The movement to ban single-use plastic bags across the globe is growing as more cities, states, and countries see them as an environmental mess instead of a handy way to carry things. Despite this idea gaining traction, there are some fringe consequences.
First, there are many positive things about banning single-use plastic bags. Fewer plastic bags are used and millions of pounds of plastic are kept out of the landfill and the environment.
Plastic bag bans seek to educate consumers about single-use plastics, their impact on the environment, and the better ways in which they can carry their groceries. Former bag-users are forced to find a replacement, such as a reusable tote, that is generally better for the long-term health of the planet. Furthermore, while bag bans may drive up sales of small garbage bags or bags for pet waste, there are compostable and eco-friendly options out there.
Alternatives to plastic bags include reusable bags, paper bags, and bags that can be composted or recycled. While all of these options are great in that they keep plastic bags out of the waste stream, some are certainly better choices than others when considering all aspects of environmental impact.
What’s the Answer?
Consider this: using the same bag for your weekly grocery shopping for one year equates to about 52 uses. Use the same bag for five years? That’s 260 trips to the store and at least 260 fewer new plastic bags needed. Now imagine if you use the same five bags over that five-year span.
What it all boils down to is what is the best solution for you? The best way to choose what will have the best impact on the environment is the bag that you will use over and over and over again.
