Plastic bags should be concerned more before it poisons our planet - Term Paper Example

This essay is written to determine the effects of plastic bags in our environment. This would initially trace the origins of the plastic bags, present its uses, and discuss its ultimate effects in our environment. Finally, this essay would suggest recommendations to address the issues concerning the harmful effects of these plastic bags in the environment. Introduction Like any other product in the commercial market, plastic bags have undergone an evolution which initially promoted its use and eventually discovered its ill effects. Its origins can be traced in 1957 when plastic bags are utilized to pack sandwiches on a roll (Appierdo 2008). There were even 63 identified uses of plastic bags, specifically Walmart bags. (Trucker 2009) However, as the world progressed and the environment begun to be clogged by these plastic bags, its harmful effects could not be idly dismissed. It is in this regard that this essay is written to determine the effects of plastic bags in our environment. After briefly tracing the origins of the plastic bags, the essay would initially present its uses and its over consumption, and discuss its ultimate effects in our environment. Finally, this essay would suggest recommendations to address the issues concerning the harmful effects of these plastic bags in the environment. Brief History of Plastic Bags The first identified use for plastic bags is to wrap food products. In 1969 Appierdo (2008) presented that “the New York City Sanitation Department’s ‘New York City Experiment’ demonstrates that plastic refuse bag curbside pickup is cleaner, safer and quieter than metal trash can pick-up, beginning a shift to plastic can liners among consumers”. The 1970s likewise marked more uses for plastic bags as recognized by retail giants such as Sears, J.C. Penney, Montgomery Ward, Jordan Marsh, Allied, Federated and Hills. (Appierdo 2008) During the 1990s, the technology for recycling enabled the plastic bags to transform its utilization to other productive benefits. Barnard (2007) stipulated that “with some trial and error we were able to construct a pretty durable and usable shopping bag. This one was made from about 10 fused plastic shopping bags. It took about an hour to make, but now that we know how to do it, it should be much quicker.” Uses of Plastic Bags There have been numerous benefits and uses that these plastic bags were accorded. The following are some of the most famous uses: (1) to wrap food items, (2) to contain grocery items, (3) as trash can liners, (4) as mattress or pillow staffing, (5) as luggage when traveling, (6) as rubber gloves, (7) as a kite or toy parachute to keep our kids amused, (8) as rubber boots to keep our feet dry, (9) as a doggie bag when you are in a restaurant and want to take a piece of chicken home with you in a purse or pocket, (10) to store dirty clothes in when you are traveling, (11) as rain protectors, (12) as a trash container, (13) as a porta-potty liner, and (14) as handicraft items (bags, rugs, etc.), among others. (Trucker 2009) The rationale for using these plastic bags can be identified in the cheap manufacturing costs associated with it. Plastic bags are very popular with both retailers as well as consumers because they are cheap, strong, lightweight, functional, as well as a hygienic means of carrying food as well as other goods. (Putatunda 2008) Due to these, their popularity soared and had been used globally since its inception. Statistics of Over consumption According to an article published by Care2 (2009), the following statistics are worth noting presenting the glaring costs that plastic bags impose to our environment: “An estimated 500 billion to one trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide every year. According to the Wall Street Journal, the U.S. alone consumes 100 billion annually.” Although most of the consumers worldwide perceive these bags as “free”, there are indeed costs which continue to disadvantage each and every aspect of the world’s society. The most glaring costs are hereby identified: “(1) U.S retailers spend billions on their plastic bags annually, which are passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices; (2) The production of plastic bags consumes vast quantities of non-renewable fossil fuels; (3) Each year billions of bags end up polluting our environment (According to Australia’s Department of Environment, upwards of 3% of plastic bags end up as ugly, wind-blown litter); (4) Plastic bags will remain in our environment forever. Despite the common belief that plastic bags decompose and disappear, they actually slowly break down into smaller and smaller toxic bits that will forever pollute our oceans, rivers, lakes and soil; (5) Each year, hundreds of thousands of sea turtles, birds and other animals die from swallowing plastic bags mistaken for food. (Earth Resource Foundation); (6) Each year millions and millions of taxpayer dollars are spent attempting to collect plastic bag litter. (The city of San Francisco alone estimates it spends $8.5 million each year on clean up and disposal of plastic bags) Much bag litter is never recovered and remains polluting our landscape and waterways; and (7) According to Worldwatch institute’s 2004 study, only 0.6 percent of plastic bags in U.S. get recycled.” (Care2 2009) Harmful Effects of Plastic Bags Despite the numerous benefits, the world started to recognize the ill effects that these plastic bags begun to gather. According to the article written by Putatunda (2008), the following were comprehensively identified as the harmful effects of plastic bags, to wit: “Plastic bags litter the landscape. Once they are used, most plastic bags go into landfill, or rubbish tips. Each year more and more plastic bags are ending up littering the environment. Once they become litter, plastic bags find their way into our waterways, parks, beaches, and streets. And, if they are burned, they infuse the air with toxic fumes. Plastic bags kill animals. About 100,000 animals such as dolphins, turtles, whales, penguins are killed every year due to plastic bags. Many animals ingest plastic bags, mistaking them for food, and therefore die. And worse, the ingested plastic bag remains intact even after the death and decomposition of the animal. Thus, it lies around in the landscape where another victim may ingest it. Plastic bags are non-biodegradable. And one of the worst environmental effects of plastic bags is that they are non-biodegradable. The decomposition of plastic bags takes about 1000 years. Petroleum is required to produce plastic bags. As it is, petroleum products are diminishing and getting more expensive by the day, since we have been using this non-renewable resource increasingly. Petroleum is vital for our modern way of life. It is necessary for our energy requirements – for our factories, transport, heating, lighting, and so on. Without viable alternative sources of energy yet on the horizon, if the supply of petroleum were to be turned off, it would lead to practically the whole world grinding to a halt. Surely, this precious resource should not be wasted on producing plastic bags, should it?” Since these effects are endangering the environment at an enormously fast pace, most governmental environmental agencies have recognized the immediate need to take drastic actions to stop or minimize the use of plastic bags. Recommended Courses of Action to Address the Harmful Effects In the study reported by Putatunda (2008), the following suggestions were recommended to lessen utilization of plastic bags: (1) “A tote bag can make a good substitute for holding the shopping. You can keep the bag with the cashier, and then put your purchases into it instead of the usual plastic bag; (2) Recycling the plastic bags you already have is another good idea. These can come into use for various purposes, like holding your garbage, instead of purchasing new ones”. The move by San Franciscos Commission on the Environment proposed to implement a consumption based fee on plastic bags. According to the article by Care2 (2009), “San Francisco’s bold plan is modeled after Ireland’s successful “Plastax” which has curbed plastic bag use in Ireland by 90%. In essence it calls for a use-based fee where the consumer is charged at the checkout for each plastic (and paper) shopping bag they take. Since the consumer is charged directly, the mindless, wasteful over consumption we are all familiar with is quickly and effectively reduced. Ireland’s plan went smoothly, with people using reusable shopping bags and consuming one billion fewer plastic shopping bags per year.” Initial proposal calls for $.17 to be charged to consumer on paper as well as plastic bags as an incentive to get people to use fewer bags and start using reusable checkout bags. Certain bags, such as bags to wrap raw meat, would be exempt. (Care2 2009) Other governments have already banned their use as emphasized in the article written by Roach (2003), “Ireland, Taiwan, South Africa, Australia, and Bangladesh have heavily taxed the totes or banned their use outright. Several other regions, including England and some U.S. cities, are considering similar actions.” Analysis It is such a pity that something as beneficial as the plastic bag, when over consumed, turns to destroy the environment. By studying the implications of over consumption, it is eminent that governments all over the world should take immediate and drastic actions to address this impending ill. There are still ongoing studies which reveal that sooner or later, technological developments could find ways and means to make plastic bags biodegradable. But the action undertaken by several governments imposing taxes on the use of plastic bags have already been seen as beneficial to the economy and to the environment. However, some governments including the United States are still contemplating on the imposition of taxes to address this concern. According to Roach (2003), “the American Plastics Council is wary of such a tax in the U.S. They say it would cost tens of thousands of jobs and result in an increase in energy consumption, pollution, landfill space, and grocery prices as store owners increase reliance on more expensive paper bags as an alternative.” In cases such as these, more studies and research should be undertaken to discover alternative means to stop the destruction of the environment due to the over consumption of plastic bags. Each and every individual should be made aware that each bag they consume and dispose causes grave destruction to the environment in which we live in. Conclusion The world has now been made aware that anything which is over used poses a threat and a toll to human lives and to the environment. With the tremendous success of the plastic bags from its production in 1957, an equally enormous amount of negative consequences have been attributable to its over consumption. If governments all over the world would continue to dismiss the harmful effects of plastic bags, our environment would continue to deteriorate and all affected living species would be extinct. Ways and means have already been applied by countries which first identified the ill-effects of plastic bags. Their measures have been monitored and were determined that the consumption has been lessened and are continuing to decrease. With practical examples and more efforts focusing on looking for alternative courses of action to address this problem, eventually, the issue of over consumption of plastic bags would ultimately be solved. What is needed is awareness, joint cooperation and collaboration to make this endeavor a success. References Appierdo, R. (2008). History of the Plastic Bag. Retrieved on August 4, 2009 from Barnard, M. (2007). Re-usable plastic bag from upcycled plastic. Retrieved on August 4, 2009 from Care2. (2009). Help San Francisco Curb Plastic Bag Overconsumption. Retrieved on August 4, 2009 from Putatunda, R. (2008). Environmental Pollution: The Harmful Effects of Plastic Bags. Retrieved on August 4, 2009 from Roach, J. (2003). Are Plastic Grocery Bags Sacking the Environment? Retrieved on August 4, 2009 from Trucker, T. (2009). 63 Uses For Walmart Bags. Retrieved on August 4, 2009 from Read More