Plastic Bags
by Elizabeth Ransom
Plastic bags have been known as helpful bags to help you get out of the
grocery store. But what is the truth? Are they harmless or do they hurt our
environment The answer to that question is… well it really depends on how
you look at it.
They’re good because they are recyclable, reusable, light, and waterproof
and they only take up less than half of one percent of landfills. Without
them, what would you use to line the garbage or put your running shoes in?
We need plastic bags.
They’re bad because they are made from non-renewable fossil fuel; the way
they
make them is harmful to the environment; they take about 400 years to
decompose; not many stores recycle plastic bags,; they’re a big litter
source for cities; and alternatives exist that are more environmentally
friendly.
Consider these stats: 55 million plastic bags are used each week in Canada.
Other grocery stores have joined Loblaw in charging 5 cents per bag. Before
the new charge, plastic bag usage has been cut by 200 million at Loblaw in
2008. With the new 5 cent charge, the number of bags given out by Loblaw has
dropped by a lot –over 50% in many stores. Why not charge 25 cents a bag?
This would give people even more reason to use reusable bags. And if you
still want a plastic bag, then you can pay for it. How about using the money
raised from charging for plastic bags (they only cost about one cent to
make) towards more environmental research. Loblaw is giving part of the
proceeds from its 5 cents a bag charge to the World Wildlife Fund of Canada.
Think outside the box!
It’s not an easy issue, is it? So what do you think, are plastic bags
good or bad?
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