Plastic bags are a convenient way to carry items, but they also have a negative impact on the environment. As you may know, plastic bags pollute our land and water, is a threat to wildlife, are a waste of resources, are designed disposable, never break down, are toxic and harmful to human health, contribute to climate change, not easy to recycle, hard to clean up or remove from the environment, and can be replaced with good alternatives.
The ban on plastic bags can reduce plastic bag waste, can save money, and raise our awareness about these issues.
Table of Contents
- 1. They’re Polluting Our Land and Water
- 2. They Are a Threat to Wildlife
- 3. They’re a Waste of Resources
- 4. They Never Break Down
- 5. They’re Harmful to Human Health
- 5. They’re Not Easy to Recycle
- 6. They’re Hard to Clean Up or Remove from the Environment
- 7. They’re Toxic
- 8. They Contribute to Climate Change
- 9. They Can Be Replaced with Good Alternatives
- 10. They’re Disposable
- 11. Plastic Bags Bans Can Save Money
- 12. Plastic Bags Bans Can Reduce Plastic Bag Waste
- 13. Plastic Bags Bans Will Raise Awareness about the Issue
1. They’re Polluting Our Land and Water
Plastic bags are made of non-biodegradable materials, which means they never break down and can pollute our land and water. If we throw away plastic bags in the trash, they can end up in our oceans, rivers, and land.
Plastic bags contribute to the so-called “Great Pacific Garbage Patch,” which is a large accumulation of plastic debris in the Pacific Ocean.
2. They Are a Threat to Wildlife
When plastic bags end up in our oceans and rivers, they often get caught on coral reefs and other wildlife. This can lead to injury or death for the animals that get tangled in the bags.
Plastic bags can choke marine life if they are mistaken for food. This happens often, as plastic bags look like jellyfish and other sea creatures. This can be deadly for marine life, as they cannot digest plastic.
3. They’re a Waste of Resources
Plastic bags are made from petroleum-based products, which means that they come from a finite source. Once these resources are gone, they will be gone forever. We should be using these resources to create products that can be reused, such as reusable bags.
Plastic bags require a lot of energy to produce. This energy could be put to better use if we stopped making plastic bags. In fact, the production of plastic bags consumes more than 12 million barrels of oil each year.
4. They Never Break Down
Petroleum-based plastic bags are made of materials that never break down. This means that even if we recycle them, they will still end up in our landfills and oceans.
5. They’re Harmful to Human Health
Microplastics, which are tiny pieces of plastic that can be found in bags and other trash, are a threat to human health. These particles can enter our food chain and contaminate our drinking water. Microplastics can be found in our body tissues and even in our mothers’ milk.
5. They’re Not Easy to Recycle
Plastic bags are hard to recycle because they are not made of a single type of plastic. This means that recycling facilities often have to sort through different types of plastics to find the ones that can be recycled. This process takes time and energy, which could be put to better use.
6. They’re Hard to Clean Up or Remove from the Environment
Unlike other types of trash, plastic bags are often difficult to clean up or remove from the environment. This is because they blow away in the wind and can get caught in trees and bushes. In Ocean, it is often difficult to spot a plastic bag from a distance.
7. They’re Toxic
The chemicals used to make plastic bags can be toxic to humans and the environment. These harmful chemicals can leach out of the bags if they cannot be stored properly and contaminate our water supply. For example, BPA, a chemical used in some types of plastic, has been linked to health problems such as cancer and infertility.
When plastic bags are burned, they release harmful toxins into the air. These toxins can cause health problems for humans and animals.
8. They Contribute to Climate Change
The production of plastic bags creates greenhouse gasses that contribute to climate change.
9. They Can Be Replaced with Good Alternatives
Reusable bags are a great alternative to plastic bags. They are made of durable materials and can be used over and over again. Reusable bags come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so you can find one that fits your needs. There are also many different types of reusable bags, including cotton bags, mesh bags, and tote bags.
Paper bags are another alternative to plastic bags. They are made of recycled paper and can be composted. Paper bags are not as durable as reusable bags, but they are a good option for short trips or when you need to carry a lot of items.
There are many other alternatives to plastic bags, including biodegradable bags and bags made of recycled materials. You can find a bag that fits your needs and helps reduce the amount of plastic bags in our landfills and oceans.
10. They’re Disposable
Plastic bags are designed to be disposable, which means that they are not meant to be reused. This creates a lot of waste, which can harm the environment.
11. Plastic Bags Bans Can Save Money
Plastic bags Bans can save money. This is because plastic bags are often given away for free, which means that taxpayers are footing the bill. In some cases, municipalities have to spend money cleaning up plastic bag pollution.
12. Plastic Bags Bans Can Reduce Plastic Bag Waste
If plastic bags are banned, people will be less likely to use them. This can reduce the amount of plastic bag waste in our landfills and oceans. In fact, many municipalities have seen a decrease in plastic bag waste after implementing a ban.
13. Plastic Bags Bans Will Raise Awareness about the Issue
By banning plastic bags, we will raise awareness about the issue of plastic bag pollution. This can lead to more people taking action to reduce their use of plastic bags. In addition, a ban will send a message that we need to take action to protect our environment.
