Serious Threat Of Plastic Bags

I can see using cloth or those bags made out of pop cans for shopping, but what do you do about garbage? True you can put it in a compost pile, but here it is covered with snow and deep snow in the winter. I cannot see myself going out with a shovel, finding where I put the grass clippings in the warmer months, and digging down to reach that spot and putting the produce trash on it. Also when I go to the store, they sell these plastic garbage bags for the kitchen. So do I use a paper bag that will get soiled or do I use a cloth bag that I will have to wash almost everyday? So there is a problem. Oh I lived at a time when we had to use paper bags because plastic bags had not been invented yet, and there were cases where lots of people got to their door, only to have the bag split open and the eggs break on the steps.

Sure, the plastic bags will be a big pollution. So we shall try to use them less. Here the supermarkets will not offer the plastic bags for free. It encourages people to use their own bag. This is why I get used to bring my cloth bag when I go shopping. I don't think it is inconvenient. I like this change. I like to do something good for our environment.

As you say, the use of plastic bags has increased tremendously over a relatively short span of time. The potential danger has been highlighted many times, but it is very difficult to apply any sort of practical control. Here in England many of the major supermarkets stopped supplying the free plastic bags at the checkout, which amounts to a highly significant number. As an alternative people were offered a larger and sturdier bag at a small cost which could be re-used each time the individual shopped for groceries. Sadly, the whole campaign was a total failure. The biggest problem was that many people simply forgot to take the bag with them when shopping again, so they would visit a different store rather than keep purchasing more bags. It was not very long before the major supermarkets relented and started supplying free plastic bags again. I was also forgetful and often returned without thinking of carrying the original bag, in fact I still have several of them at home now because I ended up buying another every time. Had they persisted with the campaign then it would probably have worked, I am sure that I would have eventually got used to the practice in time.

Hey sukumar, you are right, plastic bags are really a serious threat. Few years back, we realised that plastic bags are non-biodegradable and since then, we have been thought to reduce our use of plastic bags. We might not feel it, but the world is getting worser as we use more plastic bags. I htink all of us have to do our part for the world and try to use as little as we could.

Yes. Plastic bag usage has always been discouraged although they come in handy, durable and water proof. What went wrong was it's disposal. Although there are garbage collectors, they just go scattered everywhere that clog waterways, thus a cause of flood on rainy days. Then comes its texture which is not bio-degradable giving perhaps an option for knowledgeable sector to recycle them and more responsibility on the part of the public.

I know I'm not green enough, but I just don't like cloth bags, they feel weird in my hands, some of them even hurt my hands while carrying them. But I do reuse my plastic bags.

I think there are a lot of times when plastic bags are used unnecessarily. I bought a package of luncheon meat and a loaf of bread which I could have easily carried in my hands, but they were put into a plastic bag. It's a waste to do that and I agree that we use far too many of them and using cloth is better (although I like having some plastic bags around for garbage and other uses). BUT... what about disposable diapers? And plastic packaging of everything imaginable? What about plastic computer cases and plastic food containers and plastic shoe soles and... ? I know there has been a push to eliminate or seriously reduce the use of plastic bags, but it seems unfair to me to concentrate on one product when so many others are being used even more.

I agree with this and would encourage anyone to do a bit of research on what plastics do to the earth, wild life, sea life and humans. As another member pointed out...it isn't just the bags...it is all plastics. Stopping the use of the bags is a good start though. I have been using my reusable bags for a few years now. They are durable and very handy for all sorts of things. It is hard to completly get away from plastics. It seems that everything is either made of plastic or has plastic parts. Still we can do our part in reducing the use of it. Recycle and use cloth bags is helpful. Buy biodegradable trash bags and diapers etc.

We are really trying to quit using the plastic bags but it is hard. I have been using them for ages, as long as i can remember. I see them flying around and stuck in trees too. Looks awful. I wonder if the federal governmant will start some things to help companies stop using these in stores.

I do have a hessian bag which I use for shopping but I don't agree with having to pay for plastic bags. I try to always have a plastic bag in my handbag but I sometimes forget to replace it after using or I end up buying something unplanned so don't have my hessian bag with me or a plastic bag. I think that all shops should still have free carrier bags as most people do use their own it's just on times like I've stated that they don't.

Hi yes using of plastic bags has become common. Few months back all plastic bags were banned in our city. But so sad again the usage has become normal and they are found every where now a days. So commissioner of our city has taken a strict decision to make some strict rules to follow .Hope this works. Actually people are not realizing the effects of using plastic not only the uneducated people but the educated people are also doing the same. This is really sad. I am just using cloth bags these days.

there is one thing I was surprised when I get back home for a holiday, the wet market don't put the items purchased in the plastic bags anymore but paper. we are now back to paper. whewww.. glad to know this back home, they have been practicing this for two months already... and the ordinance is really very serious so no one is tempted not to follow... except special privilege to wet vendors, like fish, seafood, chicken, pork and all. but other vendors they have to use paper or ask the customer bags. We have been using bags when we go to market so no problem with us.