DISPOSABLE, PLASTIC BAGS- A Shopper’s Dream or Nightmare? Part I
Revelation
Who doesn’t love to shop? Even my husband gleams as he totes some new computer gizmo home in a neat little plastic bag. It’s amazing how fast one little plastic bag after one little plastic bag can lead to hundreds of these carry-alls crammed under the kitchen sink, stuffed in the pantry or unthinkably thrown out with the trash. Does this sound familiar?
Eco-aware that we bring loads of plastic shopping bags home, my husband and I have been collecting and carting these over offered, often taken, and underemployed plastic totes to our municipal waste facility for recycling. We were feeling pretty good about the whole process when an upstanding facility attendant told my husband that the plastic bags collected aren’t recycled; the station’s “Plastic Bag” recycling bin is purely for the convenience of the public who cart their newspapers, plastic bottles, and aluminum cans via plastic bags to the station. The bin is strictly for bag disposal, not for bag recycling. I find it amazing that throw away convenience can triumph over recycling even at a municipal recycling facility!
With loads of plastic bags piling up and a municipality that doesn’t recycle them, I began looking for a new plastic shopping bag recycle solution. During a recent trip to the grocery store I spied a collection bin with a large sign promoting, “Recycle Used Plastic Bags Here”; the bin was prominently positioned in the store’s lobby. I immediately went to the customer service desk and asked if the collected plastic bags were actually recycled. I was told that a professional recycling company was contracted to pick up the collected bags; the company certifies the bags are recycled and not sent to a landfill. Now this is green convenience! I can return our used plastic bags to the store during my regular shopping trips.
For an environmentally conscious gal like myself, I find it commendable that my grocer is recycling plastic shopping bags. I wonder, what is behind this growing green trend in retailing? …to be continued on September 3rd.
© 2009 Recycle Life, LLC
The RecyGalTM logo and the RecyGalTM character are trademarks and copyrights of Recycle Life , LLC
References for this article were obtained from:
www.epa.gov, www.icis.com, www.msbc.com,www.planetark.org ,www.science.jrank.org, www.aza.org, www.slate.com, www.toronto.ca ,www.environ.ie ,www.mindfully.org
I too have noticed these types of recycling bins. I think to solve the plastic bag issue, we have to look at the whole picture. From what I understand it take mores energy to recycle paper bags than plastic. Then you have to look at the content issue is paper bags made of virgin wood? Are the Plastic bags made from virgin or recycled plastic. The reusable totes are they made of biodegradable or recyclable content? In my opinion I think if plastic bags have to exist then why can’t they be made of biodegradable plastic? Then you still have to look at the issue of the bags ending up in oceans and harming wildlife biodegradable or not. This issue has a lot riding on it.
Hi Lisa,
I agree we must look at the whole picture; you are absolutely correct that it takes more energy to recycle paper bags than plastic ones. Since both paper bags and plastic bags can be made from virgin material, recycled material, or a percentage content of both, in most retail markets it is up to the merchant what type of bags are offered. For the most part, reusable bags are made from polypropylene plastic or canvas. Polypropylene bags often contain a percentage of recycled plastic and are normally 100% recyclable themselves. As for canvas, its is a fabric which lasts a long time. When the canvas bag finally wears out, it can be recycled in a used clothing drop bin. On the other hand, disposable plastic shopping bags are often used just one time and when not properly disposed of can find their way to municpal drainage systems where they clog up pipes and can even lead to flooding. When plastic bags find their way into our steams, rivers, and oceans they are a definite threat to wildlife. The theats of flooding and wildlife harm have prompted governments around the world to enact legislation directed at curbing the plastic bag usage habit. Recycling plastic bags, promoting reusable bags, and saying “no” to plastic bags when they are offered are all positive steps toward litter prevention and healthier aquatic environments. Thanks so much for your comments, it is great to be in touch with other environmentally conscious people. – R.G.
Hi Audra,
Thanks for reading my blog. I enjoy hearing that I am providing useful information to my readers. -R.G.