What’s so bad about PLASTIC BAGS?

Problems caused by plastic bags:- What’s So Bad About Plastic Bags? They are not biodegradable. They clog waterways Spoil landscapes

PROBLEMS They end up in landfills where it may take 1,000 years to break down into smaller particles that continue to pollute the soil and water. Plastic bags are dangerous to birds, cattle, and marine life. Animals mistake them for food and Thousands die each year after swallowing or choking on plastic bags.

PROBLEM Finally, producing plastic bags requires millions of gallons of petroleum that could be used for transportation or heating

Solutions Switch to reusable shopping bags. Switch to reusable shopping bags Reusable shopping bags are made from renewable materials (jute, hessian, straw, sugar cane, bamboo, cotton etc). These eco- friendly resources do not destroy the environment and are biodegradable.

PROBLEM We use TOO MANY PLASTIC BAGS! 500 BILLION – 1 TRILLION plastic bags used globally! We THROW AWAY too many! 4billion are thrown away each year Plastic bags are made from petroleum which causes a lot of pollution.

SOLUTIONS Ban the production and use of plastic bags! Charge high prices for them at supermarkets – this will reduce the number that people use. Change waste plastic back into oil Recycle old bags and use them to make new ones Use other materials to make bags….materials which are biodegradable

PROBLEMS WITH SOME SOLUTIONS 1. Not all plastic bags can be changed back into oil. A lot of work would have to be done to sort out bags and this would make them expensive. The process of using heat to recycle old plastic bags, itself, can cause air pollution by releasing many TOXINS into the air.

PROBLEMS WITH SOLUTIONS Using biodegradable material is good. HOWEVER The process of growing plants to make plastic bags uses pesticides, land and freshwater. The pesticides harm the environment. We will need more land and freshwater which will in turn drive up the price of biodegradable materials. Farmers will grow less plants for food.

DISCUSS/THINK How is the plastic bag question similar to the problems related to petroleum fuel and biofuel use?