Plastic bags, paper bags or something else?

Ph youhave hit on something that gets me going, how the plastic bagsdo so much damage, the simple solution to that would have been to make the companies that make the plastic bag make them bio-degradablewhich are already... One of the problems the Governments are worried about is where the plastic bags end up and yes they are a killer to our marine life but where do the Governments think all the balloons they let go in celebrations end up and sometimes they let thousands go....they end up exactly where the plastic bags end up helping to kill our marine life.... Plus when preople can no longer get plastic bags from the supermarket they are going to have to buy plastic garbage bags...who wins on that one...big business...bio-degradable would have been the simple solution to that part of things....

A bayong. That's something new I learn today. In our country, most of the supermarkets and shopping malls use plastic bags for the purchased items. But now the government is trying to encourage everyone to bring their own reusable bags. Wednesdays are designated to be BYOB (bring Your Own Bag) day. On this day, if you don't bring your own bag, you are required to pay for each plastic bag you use. ON other days, if you bring your own bag, there is even a 10 cents discount for every $10 purchase. I think it's a small step to encourage people to use less plastic bags. But I still need to use plastic bags to dispose my daughter's soiled diapers.

as a member of responsible mountaineer it's our task to save mother earth. we appreciated your local government unit for the solution they push on so that we can eliminate waste from plastic bags and avoid the lost of our trees. well, bayong was used by our forefathers but we must also consider the new generations people if they agree to bring the bayong in the mall. much better if the Philippine government pass a decree about this new discovery that can help to save out mother earth.

What about hemp? Its completely renewable, will grow where other things won't. Once used to make some of the strongest ropes available. Great for making paper, fabrics also. I know it is possible for it to drain the land, but planting fenugreek allows refertilisation without industrial farming methods. Plams are a great idea, but I am under the impression there has been large deforestation in some areas because of our natural soap product drive. Again soap nuts are much more sustainable that using these methods. Something I didn't realise until recently, some large trees actually use much more oxygen then they replace. There are plastics available from plant derived substances, but there are pro's and con's to that.

Hello djoyce71,how are you doing? Sounds the "bayong" is a great invention which can save our natural environment. In our country,the goverment just restrict the use of plastic bags,we can buy plastic bags only,not for free any more.But I do not think that is a good idea which can really save our natural environment.I feel the government just want to fee.I'm really sad about that.I love the nature,I don't want it be destroyed by this generation.

hi des,im not really an enviromentalist but i do agree with you. we should start using again the so called " BAYONG".We have are sources for this and we should make usecout of it.....

thats a good idea and plan..maybe we could implement that...and hoping that it will push through..and its environment friendly as well..

Hi djoyce, i am using jute bag, fibre: coarse fibre from the stems of an Asian plant. Use: sacking, rope. But its also from plant.. but it last long for years.. and we find it in varity of style. and it has plastic coating from inside. so the things dont get. and it can carry heavy weight things too. I think you all can try. thanks and enjoy:)

Hi djoyce71, Yes I do agree with you, I hate plastic bags and there are a danger to animals and danger to swans, and pag=per bags are no good either and yes thats means cutting dow trees. Your suggestion about bayong is great and I do remember many years ago the used to sell those bags. I really hope it will come back in our shops. Tamara

Nice post! I appreciate your effort to blog about waste disposal management. The best way to alleviate contamination problem due to human irresponsibility is to go back to wicker shopping gear called "bayong". Neither of the bags that are made of paper or plastic material gives the positive output. I would suggest that people have to go back to the wicker or something that can be a perfect "tampipi" or armpit bag that is washable, cheap, practical and environment friendly. I find Makro (European Shopping Concept) that this store does not pack shopped items into numerous sando bags. They encourage frugality that their shoppers will use their old grocery plastics again. I am observing my waste or my scraps at home accumulates more plastic containers and bags. In short I am making a share to pollute the ecosystem that is in dire need to be seriously rejuvenated. I felt very much guilty that I am also exploiting the earth I am living in. I segregate my home wastes or scraps...that is the least I can do but how would I know about how our garbage collector manages the green and black wastes? I hope other Filipinos and all the rest of our earth's human creatures will help our crusades, too. It will never be too late if we will be hand-in-hand to protect and take care of our dear earth. I hope you too guys will do your part even in little ways like us.

Great idea, i agree with you. I heard about reusable cotton shopping bags will push to reduce plastic and paper bag consumption. Also, simple actions you can take to help the cause. Good luck for you!

both plastic and paper bags are dilemma. plastic bags production cause the global warming, but paper bags also need more woods, and also cause the global warming.

excellent post! I agree that plastic bags are destructive. Your solution is great and there are lots of bag alternatives in the markets right now. I just bought a couple of reusable bags for 6 bucks and they fold up nicely and clip onto my laptop bag so when i go to the store it's right there. also when i buy bread, i reuse the bread bags by taking them to the store and putting my bulk grains and veggies in them. when i get home i wash them out and hang them up to dry. i've made a game out of seeing how long a bag can last, so far i have one that is 4 months old! cheers, lg

When I shop I always get plastic bags because I reuse them for emptying out my cats litter box or picking up doggy doo. Ones that aren't used, I put in recycling, as they are recyclable. I do like the concept they are doing more and more here, and that is the use of tote bags (probably similar to the concept of the "bayong" you mentioned). I'd like to start doing that, but then I have to find an alternative to cleaning up my animals stuff . . .

Well this is really getting bigger and bigger by the day. Our government is not strict in iplementing environmental laws on these matters. I think the reason behind resistance to this move is that there are big businesses that will be affected if they would put a stop to using plastic bags. If you would noticed even the garbage bags are made of thin plastics already. Ii have seen in the TV a docu fim about Japan who discovered a plastic material that is as strong as the current plastics but naturally decompose as fast as any biodegradable materials do. i think these recent technology is still not yet being implemented worldwide but I hope they can be used as an acceptable alternative plastic of today.

I have noticed that it is very different in many countries of what bags are used. Here in Sweden we use large plastic bags that are thick (ie. can carry lots of weight) and also (more and more) paper bags. Some shops also sells bags in fabrics that you can use over and over again, which are good but more expensive. If you go shopping here you normally don't need more than one or two bags whether you choose the plastic or paper bags. Many people also re-uses them and take their bags with them to the shop to pack in again, since you pack your groceries yourself. When I lived in Australia on the other hand they use tiny, thin plastic bags, (the type we in Sweden use for putting fruit in). Also the cashiers packs the bags. Normally they pack about two things in each bag, and it is so annoying. What I could fit in two of my "Swedish" plastic bags, would be put in about 8 of their plastic bags. Firstly its a waste of energy and plastic, secondly it is not at all clever since one cannot carry 8 bags anywhere. I mean imagine having one bag with two onelitres of milk, one bag with a loaf of bread, one bag with a pack of crisps, it is insane. In Sweden we have lots of wood so at least paper bags are better than plastic in that sense, but I prefer the ones of cotton or other fabric that you can use over and over again! But if that is impossible we should at least say no to overusing the plastic bags like they do in Australia! Thanks for an interesting topic!

yes, what can we do to help? Is there a website or something we can sign?

I seldom take a plastic bag, I have to be unprepared but I always am ready to tote bags for my groceries. And I either take the bus or go walking, so if I can do that, really there is little excuse for the mayority drive.

The use of plastic bag harms the environment by clogging on drainage, rivers, because it does not deteriorate, non-biodegradable and can cause floods all over the areas. When I was a kid, I remember my mother using baskets and bags in the market. Vegetables, fish and meats are placed directly in the basket without using plastic bags to wrap it. I wish we could bring this back.

djoyce, when I went home. last HOlidays i found out this is already been implemented in my town. I was supposed to tell you whaaaaaaaat your town have not implemented this yet.. then I found that I am answering to a 5 year old discussion.. what on earth.. hahaha.. it is okay I am here anyway so I might as well put my response. Anyway, back to my story, I was surprised to know that this was already going on in my town and glad that I always bring bag when I go to market. I hate the mountainous plastic bags we have collected over the years because of this. so when I became in charge of market chore I brought my own bag. so I am so happy now that it is better for a change in my town. Iknow by this time your town is using this ordinance already.