They are very convenient to carry things. They are also light weight, water proof and reusable. Their usage has increased tremendously in recent years.
Have we ever paused to think how harmful plastic bags are and what effect they have on our environment?
Plastic bags cause environmental hazards by polluting our environment. Some monomers used in the manufacture of plastics can also cause cancer.
In many cities like ours, there is door-to-door garbage collection system. At many places, big garbage collection bins are also available. Even then, many people have bad habit of throwing garbage on the streets. Very thin plastic bags are banned but people still use them.
These days, everything from snacks, grocery, vegetables, clothing to gutka, everything comes in plastic bags or pouches.
The “Throw away culture” is growing at an alarming rate. Cows and other animals roaming about in the streets eat the plastic bags along with other things. These plastic bags cannot be digested or passed by these animals. So they stay in their stomachs, which prevents proper digestion of food and can lead to a very slow and painful death.
Plastic bags block the drains and gutters on roads and streets causing severe water logging during monsoon. The sewage and dirty water overflows and becomes a breeding ground for many disease-causing germs and bacteria, resulting in health hazards due to water-borne diseases.
Plastic bag litter also affects marine animals in the lakes, rivers and oceans. Many whales, seals and turtles, as well as birds are killed due to plastic bag litter.Plastic bags can be recycled but it is a difficult and costly affair. So they are usually thrown in landfill sites. These plastic bags take up to 1,000 years to biodegrade. They break down into very small toxic particles that contaminate soil as well as water channels, entering the food chain and posing a health hazard to human beings and animals.Therefore, it is in our interest to avoid using plastic bags as much as possible. We can use colourful cloth bags instead.
Control
First of all, in today's world, many merchandise are over packaging. Appropriate package (plastics) are necessary to protect the items from the elements, extend the shelf-life, health reason, etc. However, we should start to think about reducing the unnecessary ones - layers and layers of wrapping, for example. In many European countries, the stores start charging for plastics bags. That will allow the customers to think about if they really need the bags. In US, usually they put items you purchased in the bag regardless. I usually have to tell the sales person I don't need a bag. It's becoming rediculous when you go to the DVD rental to get a DVD and they put it in plastics bag.The plastics that are accepted by recycling program are limited. Many community recycling program only recycle plastics withe the 1 and 2 labels. Any others would go to the dump sites.New biodegardable polymer and recyclable polymer are being de
veloped. Hopefully that would help to minimize the environmental impact.
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