Is there a ban on plastic bags? Share your opinions too!

We don't have a ban here but there is a big push to use cloth shopping bags. I bought a couple for a dollar apiece and when I remember to take them I like them much better than plastic. They don't tear and I don't have tons of bags at home taking up space. I re-use them for trash can liners and garbage bags. We have a problem with littering and everything your son said is true except that they do biodegrade eventually.

Hi Sreekala, Although there is no ban on plastic bags where I live, it is becoming a big concern.People are now being asked to provide their own cloth bags that can be used over and over again. There is also now a charge for plastic bags as a further incentive for people to stop using them. I feel that this should have started ten years ago but I guess it's better late than never. Blessings.

They have not banned plastic bags here yet. Though some stores give you a discount if your bring your own bags. Other stores charge you to buy a bag weather it be paper or plastic if you didn't bring your own or bring a box. I just think we've become too reliant on plastic and need to move back to more friendly materials like glass & cardboard.

Our country is now on the restrictions on the use of plastic bags, the original, we go to the supermarket to buy things are sent to a plastic bag, and now must use the money to buy this, on the reduction of waste, palyed the role of environmental protection. Indeed, the plastic gas released by burning harmful. Therefore, we should support the move, support for environmental protection.

We don't have a ban, and you can still get your free plastic bags in most supermarkets and small shops. But using them is frowned on. When the whole debate got hot here, it seemed that overnight everyone started to take their own bags to the shops. Then of course some of the producers of the bags started to feel the heat. Someone always has to suffer. But there is a big environmental issue on the use of plastic bags, and it's right to highlight that and encourage people to do something about it.

It's true that plastic bags are very bad for the environment, but when it comes to shopping or taking out the garbage, plastic bags are much better, because they are stronger and can hold much more, plus they are easier to carry. Also they are waterproof. How can you throw garbage out in a paper bag wouldn't it just seep through and make a mess? I can't imagine life without plastic bags when I think of it, though I guess its something like gas (emissions from cars are bad too) that is bad for the environment but necessary for modern life.

Plastig bags are really bad for the environment. They choke and kill wildlife, they polute the waterways, oceans and parks. I live in Canada and I believe this is the first country that put a ban on plastic baby bottles. Plastic also gives off toxic substances when heated up such as microwave containers and plastic wrap used to cover dishes in the microwave oven. One should use paper towels. We are charged 5 cents a bag in the grocery store if we don't bring our own shopping bags. I prefer the bags made from recycled plastic, jute bags, linen bags or canvas bags. However, there are still many small stores and convenience stores who package everything you buy in plastic bags and don't charge for them. There are biodegradable plastic bags but they are expensive. There is some use for plastic. For instance to tightly wrap medicines to protect them from insects or being tampered with but we should use plastic very sparingly and should educate the NGO's that there are indeed alternatives.

there is ban on plastic bags here in mumbai also especially after the july 26 deluge where the main cause cited was that the drainage system in and around the mithi river is being choked by the plastic bags but now again people are becoming callous and are trying to use the plastic bags trying to evade the attention of police.

There is a ban on the use of plastics in Kolkata but like everything else, it has little teeth and plastic is used everywhere. This controversy reminds me of days when in India there was no plastic bags and the corner shop would give things in paper packets (recycled from old newspapers) and we went to shop with a strong cloth bag. Plastic is really a western phenomena and now again they want us to do away with plastic and again we are dancing to their tune. While it is true that plastic has environmental hazards, before doing away with them we must remember the people who make plastic bags in small factories…they will be out of jobs! So ideally some arrangement needs to be made for them before banning plastic bags.

Hi! Sree! I support your idea that there should be ban on cheap plastic bags. It is well known that cheap plastic could be harmful to animals and it does not come in the category of biodegradable waste. It mostly gets burried under the ground or it gets accumulated in big drains causing lot of hazards. However, it is difficult to find a substitute for plastic bag, it is equally true. You always cannot carry your jute or cloth bag to the market because sometimes you buy products all of sudden, without any pre-planning. Either the showsroom owners or the shopkeepers selling goods should keep low cost cloth or jute bag so that the consumer does not face any trouble in carrying the commodities. Some of the products cannot be carried in hands, therefore, some carry bag either made of cloth/jute or paper is essential. For example, you cannot carry curd, milk or eggs in your hands without any bag/container. I feel that those concerned with the plastic industry and those who know the technical know how should develop a kind of plastic which could be reused without any hassels. I feel thik micron/quality plastic carry bags are better and those could be re-used for a longer duration. An excellent post!

Dear Sri, I appreciate you for bringing up a good discussion.As such, there is no strict ban on plstic in our city but here and there, we hear the pleas from NGOs not to use plastics. I can say one thinghere and that is what you wrote is definitely right but I feel that we got to find a better, bisdegradable and cheaper alternative for this which only could help avoid use of plastic in any form and completely.

Hi sree yes plastic will definetely cause an environmental pollution in the long run since it is not biodegradable.But very often its usage far surpasses its demerits and that is the reason why people ,including me, continue to use plastic bags despite the ban that is being imposed on it......We have become so accustomed to using plastic carry bags,bottles and containers,that the cry to stop use of plastic carry bags and bottles is falling on deaf ears unfortunately.It is said that even burning plastic waste is haphazadrous since it releases toxic gases which are harmful for health.It is high time that we heed the ill effects of plastic carry bags and switch to paper and cloth bags,and support the ban on plastic that is being imposed in various parts of our country.......

We don't have a ban as such where we are in England but many supermarkets and shops don't hand them out anymore,some plastic is biodegradable now our rubbish sacks are .Most of us try to use our own bags and avoid plastic as much as we can.It is good your son is learning about the dangers of plastic bags at school.Loose plastic bags can trap small animals and look awful hanging off the trees,I hate the things.xxx

plastic bags are not exactly banned in the Philippines, but a lot of companies are encouraging people to use paper bags or reusable cloth bags. plastic is definitely harmful to the environment. harmful to Earth=harmful to living things. but of course, plastic plays a major role in our lives today. the thing is, until we find a foolproof way to dispose of plastic properly, we might soon find ourselves drowning in the mess we created by abusing the use of plastic. so, recycling is good, but not everyone participates in the programs.

As far as I know thee is no ban here Sree. While I know the adverse effects of plastic bags I still do use them;I have aLSo seen some cleaners segregate THEM carefully , so that they would not be thrown and would not harm the soil.But how to dispose of this is a big question mark, if burning is to b e harmful for the environment.Well, if they stop being available then I would also store my vegetables in a paper bag in the fridge.

there isn't a ban, but most shops have started charging for plastic carrier bags, so more people are bringing their own canvas bags, or re-using any plastic bags they do get, which is good. I think that the plastic bags should be more expensive though, as for a lot of people, the cost doesn't serve as enough of a deterrant. or maybe have no plastic bags, and only canvas ones to buy at the tillpoints.

I am very keen on helping the environment and when I go shopping I take bags made from jute. I do see some other customers going home with lots of plastic carrier bags. Many products are wrapped in plastic in the shops like vegetables from the supermarket. Some health food shop have only got paper bags which I think is superb. It sounds like wonderful policy in Delhi.

I believe plastic bags are harmful if those are not properly disposed. Here in my country there is a place were they collect plastics and other garbage then mix a chemical, which are not emitted in the atmosphere, then turn it into methane gas which they use to produce electricity. Every one should do that too. Every country should provide a similar facility so that our countries will be less polluted. I don't think the ban will reduce pollution because there are many cars and factories around the world. Here in my country there is no ban on plastic use.

in our country,there is no ban on plastic bags,but the government advise to reduce using plastic bags.so in the super market we need pay extra money for the plastic bag which was free before.but some little store still provide plastic bags free. nowdays more and more people go shopping whit cloth bags.

I think putting a ban on plastic bags is a good thing. So many people go grocery shopping each day, and those bags add up, especially since they are hazardous to wildlife and also dont degrade very easily. Cloth bags are studier anyway when doing grocery shopping!