Plastic, Plastic Everywhere--What Could Be Better Alternatives?
By pyewacket
@pyewacket (43903)
United States
April 24, 2008 9:02pm CST
I just came from a discussion about the idea of using reusable bags for shopping purposes instead of getting all those plastic bags that are given to us at supermarkets and other stores. She came up with the idea of using Chico bags which are reusable and made of nylon instead, and I gave the idea of good ole fashioned canvas tote bags.
Okay now that might solve the problem of too many plastic bags from the stores we shop in and being dumped in our garbage and ultimately in landfills. ..BUT...what about everything else in the world made of plastic?? Just think of everything that IS made of plastic. Maybe I'm thinking of this as we recently had "Earth Day".
Yes, many of our plastics are recyclable, but not all, and yes there are a lot of recyclable programs out there....but there is still so much plastic products out there that aren't recycled and just dumped including even our garbage or trash bags.
Plastic as you know is non-biodegradalbe...it doesn't break down and does release toxins especially those plastic products with PVC, one of the most harmful chemical plastic compounds going.....these toxins are eventually absorbed into the soil and could ultimately enter our water systems, not to mention making our soil/land systems toxic time bombs. Yes, plastic may be convenient as opposed to say glass bottles or jars, not to mention it's more lightweight and doesn't break as easily, but are we relying a bit too much on this convenience?
Think of all the plastics we just toss away. What about plastic garbage/trash bags themselves that we throw our garbage in...is there some alternative? What about plastic utensils one uses at restaurants (fast food) or the ones we buy for convenience if we pack a picnic. And yikes, what about all those small convenient water bottles when we buy Poland Spring water, or Evian, etc, etc. For a long time I thought I was doing myself a service by NOT buying so many small bottles of water--I take a bottle of water with me when I go out--once finished I would refill it until I just learned that that was probably the worse thing I could be doing, as the "older" the plastic bottle is, the more toxins are released into the water I'm refilling the bottle with--so nix that idea big time. I'm hoping to get one of the safe refillable bottles that are sold so I can take my bottle of water or juice and know I'm not ultimately poisoning myself in the process.
Then I heard about some great alternatives I didn't even know existed...I had watched an episode of Oprah, and one of her guests was Sandra Bullock who owns her own restaurant in the Austin, Texas area....the "plastic" utensils and cups aren't plastic, but completely of biodegradable materials such as unbelievably made out of....potatoes! Her take out containers that look like styrofoam are made out of sugar cane.
You can see this page all about Sandra's Restaurant and her "go green" ideas here....be sure to watch the video--in fact Oprah's whole go green show was fantastic (another guest was Julia Roberts)
http://www2.oprah.com/world/enviro/green/living/slide/living_sandra_350_402.jhtml
Anyway folks, what do you think? Should we become more conscious about the whole plastic thing in general? I realize that we can't eliminate plastic completely from our lives, but should we be at least pressuring our stores and restaurants that rely on plastics to use more environmentally friendly alternatives?
4 people like this
19 responses
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
25 Apr 08
our whole world is build around plastic. My city is now bringing in a bylaw that grocery stores will have provide reusuable non plastic bags. I didn't know that about Sandra Bullock, thanks so much for the info.
3 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
25 Apr 08
I'm a huge fan of both Julia Roberts and Sandra Bullock and had no idea of their "go-green" activism. Yup--everything is centered around plastic...nuts even a lot of a car's "anatomy" is made out of plastic now
That's great that your city is trying to bring in a bylaw about reusable bags...hope more places follow suit
2 people like this
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
25 Apr 08
There are also plates/bowls that look like stoneware made entirely out of bamboo. I have a collection of water bottles that I've received as freebies from various events that I use for my water or tea that is constantly with me whereever I go. I've switched some time ago from plastic bags to both nylon and canvas tote bags whenever I need a bag for something.
2 people like this
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
26 Apr 08
I just sent ya a referral email from idealbite.com. That's where I read about the bamboo plates and bowls.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
26 Apr 08
I just saw your comment about how meat is packaged...I think one thing they should completely ban is styrofoam...none of the supermarkets near me use plastic trays anymore but styrofoam...hey even eggs are now sold in styrofoam containers...what ever happened to the cardboard types??
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
26 Apr 08
Really? I never heard of plates/bowls made out of bamboo. I'm hoping to get some of those nylon bags when I get some green stuff..hehe...I was in Walgreen's today and sure enough they had those kind of bags..only 99cents..so want to stock up on them
@GardenGerty (160978)
• United States
25 Apr 08
We should support those restaurants and stores that offer the alternatives. I use refillable bottles, I do not buy bottled water in those little bottles. I pack lunches, or I buy those that are in cardboard, rather than plastic. I have heard of disposables made out of corn, and oatmeal, I would love to see it available more places. Value added for products of the farms, and enriching the earth. I try to buy things with less packaging, reuse what I get. I find I really like glass jars instead of plastic to store leftovers in. I also recycle glass that I do not save. I make other things out of it, and not just crafts. I bought plastic, reusable sets to take in our picnics and when we travel. I just wash them.
I know I am just one person, but I got the idea of reusing the glass jars from another myLot member. She was just one person, as well. We need more posts like yours, and more conscious persons who want to make a difference.
@GardenGerty (160978)
• United States
27 Apr 08
I do have some stainless storage cannisters. I like to recycle cans into other things. I wish the "styrofoam" was made out of cornstarch instead of the other junk. I have seen and recieved "packing peanuts" that were made from corn or oats and were biodegradeable, so I know it can be don.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
26 Apr 08
I think a lot of restaurants should get on the bandwagon and get materials for their take out foods in biodegradable products. Another great thing to store food in is of course stainless steel, not only reusable of course, but easy to clean out. And I definitely think there should be a total ban of anything styrofoam don't you? They even package a carton of eggs in that when before it used to be cardboard type substance remember?
1 person likes this
@highflyingxangel (9225)
• United States
25 Apr 08
Unfortunately, before I really had the chance to start recycling, I never know just how much waste we put out. Nor, how much plastic we truly used every day. I've tried to cut back on my plastic usage, especially after the recent information about BPA in some plastics was announced. Unfortunately, a take out restaurant at my school sells drinks and those drinks are in, you guessed it, nothing but plastic bottles and plastic cups. So naturally, the part of campus that restaurant is located on is littered with plastic bottles. I do my share, picking up the bottles when I come across them and put them in the recycling bin, but sometimes there are just too many bottles for me to recycle. I wish it were easier.
And, the plastic eating utensils is the big reason why I decided that we should use nothing but regular plates and silverware in our apartment. That and it does save us a great deal of money. No use in wasting more and using more plastic when we really can't be sure what we are eating with. And, I'm getting really tired of seeing nothing but plastic everywhere when you can't do anything with it, except get it recycled.
I think it's time, with all of our fancy technology, move on as a society and find better alternatives to plastics and make them affordable enough so everyone can use them.
2 people like this
@highflyingxangel (9225)
• United States
25 Apr 08
I think glass would definitely be a better alternative. It would definitely be safer.
And I definitely did not know that about aluminum cans. That's something I think that needs to be looked into more. If it can be prevented, I think all the steps to prevent it should be taken.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
25 Apr 08
Hehe..you're actually the inspiration of this discussion as I caught you Chico bag one...
I've never used plastic utensils, nor even use plastic or "paper" plates for eating at home either
I sometimes wonder how people would feel if say we went back to glass bottles for soda for instance? Glass can be recycled as well and has no toxic potential like plastic does--gee, even aluminum such as in cans for soda, isn't so great either..there's one thought that too much aluminum being absorbed into the system may be one of the triggers of eventual Alzhiemers disease
I've never used plastic utensils, nor even use plastic or "paper" plates for eating at home either
I sometimes wonder how people would feel if say we went back to glass bottles for soda for instance? Glass can be recycled as well and has no toxic potential like plastic does--gee, even aluminum such as in cans for soda, isn't so great either..there's one thought that too much aluminum being absorbed into the system may be one of the triggers of eventual Alzhiemers disease@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
25 Apr 08
I found one great article about the aluminum issue
http://www.controlyourimpact.com/articles/antiperspirant-aluminum-and-alzheimers-disease/
This is one of the reasons I don't use aluminum cookware, use stainless steel, or use anti-persiprants..they have aluminum also
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
25 Apr 08
that's a good question,pye.
i really don't think there's much in the way of
alternate garbage bags-except maybe composting if you have the land.
i wish sometimes they'd just let me throw it directly in the can,and wash the can out later.
it all gets mushed in the truck anyways..
i agree,they should replace it wherever possible.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
25 Apr 08
You know I'm honestly trying to think just HOW did we throw garbage out before without plastic bags anyway? Wasn't it the idea of just plain trash cans, no plastic lining, just the garbage and then the garbage men just dumped it into the truck?? 
2 people like this
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
25 Apr 08
my great grandmother had pigs.
granted,pig poo can smell,but if it's far enough away from the house..
not sure.i wish my grandmother was still around to ask.i imagine it went right into the can?
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
25 Apr 08
Well no doubt people who especially had homes with yards (or farms) did a sort of compost thing from their food garbage which is catching on again....but like what does one do when you live in a city? Can't really do that
2 people like this
@whittby (3072)
• United States
25 Apr 08
With Earth Day displays, I've noticed the reusable shopping bags popping up in all the stores. Of course, they all have the name of the store on the bag. We were at a restaurant recently that served all their food in styrofoam boxes. They had to empty the trash containers I don't know how many times just during the time we were there. I don't know the economics of Sandra Bullock's containers - I mean how much money does she need to make with her restaurant. What would it take to convince a restaurant to switch over? We will have to have boycotts andeconomic pressures to get businesses to go green.
2 people like this
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
25 Apr 08
I avoid all types of foam containers if I can since they are not recyclable. I would rather buy meat in plastic trays than the foam they are usually in. Least then I can recycle the plastic trays instead of throwing them in the garbage. No trays is the best thou. We use ziploc bags for alot of things. Why can't the meat counters use them for their meats instead? Or even shrink-wrap the meat in a heavier plastic like the smokie links come in.
3 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
25 Apr 08
Well according to that video that has Sandra Bullock in it, she says the non-plastic items she uses in her restaurant only cost a few pennies more than the plastic...so surely a fast food restaurant like McDonalds could afford the switch that makes billions per year---mmm..maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to start some kind of writing campaign to all these places, no??
2 people like this
@Aussies2007 (5336)
• Australia
25 Apr 08
While plastic has become a big problem from an environmental point of view... it has also many benefits... more benefits actually than problems.
It replace glass, wood and metal.
First benefit is that it is much lighter for transportation. So it reduce the cost of transport.
Unlike glass... it does not break when you drop your bottle of water. Just about everyone drop their bottle at one time or another.
Both wood and metal have a short lifetime if exposed constantly to water. Cheap plastic has only a short life time if exposed to the sun. Just leave your plastic shopping bag in the sun for a couple of months... and see what happen to it... it will break and crumble into small pieces and eventually will turn into dust. I actually never heard of anyone coming up with the idea of destroying plastic bags by leaving them under the sun.
Glass, wood and metal are far more expensive than plastic. If you did ban plastic... I think you would find your monthly bills sky rocketing on just about everything.
Since people wrap their garbage in plastic bags before putting it in the bin... cities have become much cleaner and hygienic... reducing the amount of flies in the cities by up to 80 per cent. And it has also made the job of garbage men far more pleasant.
These are only a few of the benefits. Using plastic in cars... makes them lighter... which in turn makes their consumption of gasoline lighter.
If it was not for plastic forks... you would have to eat with your fingers when buying take away food.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
26 Apr 08
Yes Aussie I can see some of the advantages of plastic...BUT...ah, you knew there be a but with me...hehe
While glass is heavier and yes breakable, it's safer to use for bottles....haven't you heard of the dangers of many of our plastic bottles that store milk, soda, juice, water, you name --almost all leech out toxins into the beverages, and the worse one can do is to reuse them as they get even more toxic if they are reused. Haven't you ever drunk something from a plastic bottle and it has a plastic taste to it...those are the worse of the plastics
No I don't think there should be a complete ban of plastics but we should just get a whole lot more conscientious of just how much we're using.
guiness does have a point about the plastic bags....yes they may brake down in sunlight...but constant exposure to sunlight...that just doesn't happen with garbage in landfills since after awhile after that landfill is full enough they just cover it over with dirt..burying all that stuff, so how can the plastics dissolve or disintegrate?
And just why do we have to have styrofoam for everything..one of the worse materials ever concocted
--our meats are packaged on styrofoam, our eggs containers are styrofoam..cups one gets at a coffee shop and on and on it goes
@guinness1982 (261)
• United States
25 Apr 08
If you get pbs in your area you should REALLY watch this show called "Strange days on Planet Earth" I didn't think that our Plastic problem really was a problem till I saw this It really made me open my eyes as to what we humans are doing to this Eco System that we live in, Our water IS our LIFE everything on this earth weather you believe in god or evolution need out oceans to survive and were destroying them with our Plastics. the ocean has so much plastic in it. Its so sad really you should watch this show. I dont think we should BAN plastics, We cant. they do benefit us BUT we have to take a little more responsibility for where that plastic ends up when were done with it, EVERYONE does we have to take care of this earth, I dont know about you but I have kids and I dont want them to have to worry as much as we do about whats the future going to be like are all the animals slowing going to be gone? here's the link you ll have to go to where it says programs A-Z then, put your zip code, and Then look for the show called "Strange days on Planet Earth" then it will tell you when its on in your area.
www.pbs.org/
1 person likes this
@guinness1982 (261)
• United States
25 Apr 08
I did some resurch into what you said about plastic bags biodegrading in sunlight, Its doesnt biodegrade is photo-degrades A process in which it is broken down by sunlight into smaller and smaller pieces all of which are all still plastic polymers, eventually becoming individual molicules of plastic, still to tough for anything to digest. Here is the site link I found this at. this is what they talked about on the PBS show instead of watching the show you can read about it. I jsut want people to be awair of this cause we have to do something or whats the earth going to be like in 10 years? look how bad its gotten in just the last 10.
www.mindfully.org/plastic/ocean/pacific-garbage-patch27oct02.htm
1 person likes this
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
25 Apr 08
One of the things that bothers me is packaging. It seems like we have shrink wrapped, followed by more packaging then more plastic packing....is it all necessary? Can't we get buy with less packaging.
Let us look at CDs? THey often put on those plastic things to prevent shop lifting, then they have shrink wrap, then they have the plastic case..with the paper insert and then they have the CD itself...whoa! MORE PLASTIC.
I think we can all start by downloading music. Now only do we use less oil for the plastic and put less garbage in the landfills, there is no oil being used to transport the CDs and we don't have to drive and use gas to buy one.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
26 Apr 08
Yes the packaging of so many items we buy is such a complete waste of so many unnecessary materials..no wonder things are so expensive...we're paying just for all that packaging material!
1 person likes this
@youdontsay (3497)
• United States
25 Apr 08
All those drink bottles are plastic these days. It seems strange that people buy bottled water in those little plastic bottles. I can understand if your city's water doesn't taste good and has stuff in it. But why not get the big bottle of water delivered to your house and put it in a thermos cup. You would be saving money and the environment.
I try to recycle everything I can. But sometimes I can't find out how to get rid of some things. I have an electric steam iron that doesn't work. Where cold I recycle that?
@youdontsay (3497)
• United States
27 Apr 08
And televisions! They said on the news that there is lead in televisions and that the landfills are full of them!
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
26 Apr 08
I do buy water in gallon bottles as our tap water does taste horrible and I can't afford to get bottled water delivered or get a Brita type filter system--I do want to get one of those reusable water bottles though to take with me when I'm out--that's another problem there..it's not just something like a electric iron...gee, think of all the computers that are trashed too.
1 person likes this
@yudhyhg (116)
• Indonesia
25 Apr 08
i hate plastic,but until now still cann't trash it. every use of this material i know can disturb ecologycal system.i believe in future every person must leave plastic and change it to the better material.now, i try to leave plastic step by step..thanks pyewacket for your sharing
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
26 Apr 08
Yes I really do think we have to switch our ideas about using too much plastic
@revellanotvanella (4033)
• United States
26 Apr 08
I bought Earth Day t-shirts at Walmart but saw that they also had Coca-Coca brand t-shirts that they said were made out of recycled plastic but the concept just didnt make sense because it was like 'drink Coca-Cola' so you can make t-shirts, i didnt get it doesnt that encourage over consumption and a really lame scheme to add funds to their pockets. I feel guilty because I buy from Walmart and loved the cute earth day t-shirts for the babies. Their supposed to support transitioning conventional cotton farmers over to organic but in the Phillipines and im hung up about that but i try to do what i can or you'll always feel like its never enough.
1 person likes this
@faith210 (11224)
• Philippines
25 Apr 08
Hi pyewacket! That is really something we should all be getting more serious about. I have been recycling plastic and somehow I know it is not enough. I do agree with you that we should be giving those businesses greater pressure so they will look for alternatives. As much as possible, I really don't buy products that uses plastic, I go for glass jars and bottles even though they are breakable. I do admire Sandra Bullock with her ideas and I hope more business people will think like her. Just my thoughts dear friend. Take care and have a nice day! 
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
26 Apr 08
Yes wouldn't it be great if all restaurant owners were as conscientious about the materials used like Sandra Bullock...I always was a fan of hers now I'm even more by her efforts
1 person likes this
@bongkarpasang (1377)
• Indonesia
29 Apr 08
I would rather point at some fast food restaurants that still use plastic or disposable dishes to serve the customers that are actually eating there.
they should have used less disposable dishes for those who eat at the restaurants. I just found that way was just wasting more resources. well unless they did have the takeaway home, but why eating there with such disposable thingy? are they just lazy cleaning the dishes?
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
30 Apr 08
Yes that would make more sense to use regular dishes and utensils at fast food chains rather than the disposable kind and only use the disposable kind for take-out orders
@revellanotvanella (4033)
• United States
25 Apr 08
i think we definately should because when i was just in Canada EVERYWHERE they try to discourage the use of plastic bags and especially the boutique stores with little cute signs in the window that got the point across but in a nice way.
I went to a supermarket that gave figures of plastic bag consumption and how they can hurt the environment if end up as waste and I really liked them doing that. I havent been back there since it was a supermarket outside of my town but even that gets people thinking. I feel really responsible even though I do recycle--and the largest percentage of it is plastic, like the disposable forks, tops to coffe cups, covers from frozen meals, bottles, definately. Still, I feel like if people were making it an issue then we would see more recycle setups like in Canada. In Toronto they had recycle containers in every store in the walkways and even along the sidewalks and even in the parks!
When I lived in Connecticut they had recycling machines that took cans and plastic bottles and gave you 5 cents for each and you took the receipt to the grocery store clerk and they gave you the money--whats so hard about that and I think its a good way of introducing people to the concept. Also, many people brought five or more canvas bags to put their grocery bags in and it wasnt a big deal--I personally think many grocery store clerks need a bagging lessons because they put two tiny items in one bag and move on to the next and repeat it, when I was a bagger (my first job at 16) people loved that I was saving them all the bags and actually packing them.
I decided all I can do is start writing my local legislators and the city about my concerns and learning more about the waste process
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
25 Apr 08
--I personally think many grocery store clerks need a bagging lessons because they put two tiny items in one bag and move on to the next and repeat it, I couldn't agree with you more there, revellanotvanella. Countless times I'm at the store and have my own bags with me when the bagger would put 2 items in a bag and move onto the next and then start putting items in their plastic bags as well since they 'ran' out of my canvas totes. I halt them in their tracks and tell them there is still plenty of room in my totes and I don't want to use the plastic bags. The one time I had bought a dz. eggs and couple loaves of bread along with some canned goods. He proceeded to bag the eggs, next bag bread, next bag canned goods. AHEM!! The bread can go on top of the eggs. ughhhhhh!!!! These baggers need to learn how to bag to reduce waste.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
26 Apr 08
We do have a recycle day pick up for garbage in our area on Saturdays--but the thing I miss is this...in all the supermarkets near me their USED to be those machines where you could put your aluminum cans (from soda) or plastic bottles and you got your 5 cent deposit bottle/can money back....they stopped that, why I haven't a clue and most supermarkets won't take back bottles even though you're paying the deposit money..isn't that stupid?
Oh I used to work in a supermarket too, and people always liked the way I bagged stuff as my boss had been a real stickler on just how things should be bagged up...not like most check outs..they wind up giving you a lot of unnecessary bags you just don't need..like you said, blackbrier..one bag for eggs one for bread...sheeh
@revellanotvanella (4033)
• United States
26 Apr 08
not to hate but id have to say the guys are notorious for wasting bags and i wonder if its laziness or just they dont get it.
Yea, I know what you mean the giving you a hard time about bagging the other day i was at Walmart and a guy gave me a bunch of bags and i was like no i think that can fit in there but they have those turn around things so I couldn't reach his side and it just felt like rush rush rush and grocery stores are like that too but I dont mind waiting for someone ahead of me trying to use their own bags maybe all it takes is to let the managers know thats you actually care about conserving?
1 person likes this
@lynettebyc (2416)
• China
25 Apr 08
Yeah, plastics everywhere, plastic bags, plastic bottles, plastic shoes and clothes~~~ Some are of good quality, we can use some plastic bowls to heat in the microwave oven, and they can be recycled, these materials must be made from PP, PU, chemical polymer products. They will not do harm to our health. But those of bad quality if heated or burnt, they'd come out a special smell which is poisonous. It's easy and convenient to use plastics, but mind your choice, next time,choose some good ones, not the inferior. And paper may be alternatives, but not always, what if it's wet, what if it rains. Cloth will also, but it's much more expensive
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
26 Apr 08
Yes the plastics made of PVC are the worse and most harmful to use in any situation. I plan to buy some of those nylon tote bags next month...then take them with me when I shop, that will eliminate all those plastic bags they give at stores.
@revellanotvanella (4033)
• United States
26 Apr 08
you know my local Borders has these HUGE bags made of some kind of plastic but Im not sure fabric either, there more heavy duty and they sell for 20$ but I've been seeing sales for 50% on other smaller magazine or pocket bags and just waiting for them to take them down, they look really cool and alternative.
1 person likes this
@revellanotvanella (4033)
• United States
26 Apr 08
oh, I think PaperChase (should be online) makes them.
1 person likes this
@demondillun (6)
• India
25 Apr 08
Hay thats great anyone who care about nature in my own words i apreciates you for that. Use only poly bags which are biodegradable, this technology of manufacturing ploybags available in market. We also use cotton manufactured bags,paper bags or permanent polybags in the sence no use and throw takes place.Best way to solve the problem is that we have to open our eyes during the use poly bags. Once it happens and the problem will solve ultimately. As long as possible use only cotton manufactured and paper bages. Its great to reuse poly bags again if possible in order to efficient use of bags. Most of the soil errosin takes place due to dispossal of poly bags in unlimited quantity. One more way to biodegrade poly bags that is special types of insects which are capable of digest plastic in such a way that the fulfill on the specific plastic bags.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
26 Apr 08
I think we all really got to take a better look at how we're using plastics in general and think of better alternatives ...perhaps just plain going back to using more recyclable items
@demondillun (6)
• India
25 Apr 08
Hay thats great anyone who care about nature in my own words i apreciates you for that. Use only poly bags which are biodegradable, this technology of manufacturing ploybags available in market. We also use cotton manufactured bags,paper bags or permanent polybags in the sence no use and throw takes place.Best way to solve the problem is that we have to open our eyes during the use poly bags. Once it happens and the problem will solve ultimately. As long as possible use only cotton manufactured and paper bages. Its great to reuse poly bags again if possible in order to efficient use of bags. Most of the soil errosin takes place due to dispossal of poly bags in unlimited quantity. One more way to biodegrade poly bags that is special types of insects which are capable of digest plastic in such a way that the fulfill on the specific plastic bags.
1 person likes this
@NICKY_FERDIE (147)
• Philippines
25 Apr 08
I use paper as often as possible. I use paper bags for groceries and other shopping finds. And there are also lots of recyling plants nowadays that buy recyclable materials like the plastic bottles,glass bottles and other rcyclable containers. But I sugest taht we start within our homes like keeping those plastic bags and using them again in our next purchase. That way, there won't be additional plastic bags clogging you homes everytime you go to the grocery.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
26 Apr 08
It USED to be one had the option..paper or plastic for bags in a supermarket...no longer. The worse offense is that often the checkouts double bag the bags! I plan to get those nylon bags so when I go shopping can use them
@bhavuksood73 (34)
• India
25 Apr 08
plastic,plastic and some more plastic.this problem is now all around the world.this is now a major problem for us because it polluted our air and cause many diseases.we have to less use of the plastic bags,plastic lunch box etc.we have to use steel lunch box instead of using plastics.so we have to use bags not of plastics.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
26 Apr 08
Yes it is horrible what we've been doing to our environment and ourselves with the usage of all this plastic..time to rethink of how we use it, right?
@digerati (286)
• Philippines
9 Jul 08
hi pye,
it is really terrible, what could this plastic do to us and to our environment, since it is not biodegradable...
as usual, made-of-paper things or other stuff that are biodegradable are recommend for its replacement...
loving earth,
digerati
