Plastic Bags

Week 4

When Katy Perry asks if I ever feel like a plastic bag, I don't think of how they casually drift through the wind, I think about how they litter the streets, clog recycling machinery, and never really break down.

The problem with plastic bags

According to the EPA, 4.2 million tons of plastic bags and films were generated in 2018 and 3.04 millions tons ended up in a landfill. They, like all plastics, are made from crude oil, a non-renewable resource, which is problematic for two reasons: manufacturing generates significant pollution and the product is not biodegradable. As Sciencing.com put it, "they are difficult to produce and nearly impossible to get rid of once produced".

Most plastic bags take a minimum of 400 hundred years to break down. If that fact doesn't get your blood boiling, think of it this way...every plastic bag that's ever been sent to a landfill still exists. It gets worse. According to Natural-Environment.com, plastic bags cause over 100,000 sea turtle and other marine animal deaths every year when animals mistake them for food.

So what do I use instead

The easiest way to reduce the amount of plastic bags floating around is to switch to reusable bags. If you don't have a bag that works, consider making one out of some items you already have at home. Here are five easy options I made this week.

What if I forget my bag

Remember last year, when it became mandatory to wear a mask in most stores? I forgot mine a dozen times and it was so frustrating. I started keeping one in my purse, one in the car, one by the front door and eventually, it became a part of my routine. Start treating your reusable bag the same way you would your phone and wallet, as a necessity. If you're already at a store and you've only purchased a few items, just refuse the bag and carry them out in your hands.

What should I do with bags I already have

One option is to repurpose them by making plarn or plastic yarn! If you're not in a crafting mood, there are a few stores that recycle plastic bags and films. Unfortunately, while recycling is a step in the right direction, it isn't a real solution...especially since studies have shown that nine of ten times, it's not even happening. Instead, we should work towards eliminating plastic bags altogether.

But how could we possibly eliminate plastic bags

By writing letters, signing petitions, and educating each other! 8 states and 55 countries have already banned plastic bags; it's no secret how harmful they are. Let your representatives know that you would like to see a change. Request that your local grocery stop using plastic bags. This is not a problem that can be fixed by one single person, but if we all show a desire to make improvements, we are more likely to see them fulfilled. Click here for letter templates.

Make the Change: Yarn from Plastic Bags →