Module code: FC 5012T
Title: Skills for Study 1
Assignment question:
What are the main problems associated with using plastic bags? Identify solutions to reduce these problems.
Word count: 742
Tutor name: Bird, Marianne
City University Number: 110065767
Submission Date: 26/10/2011
Plastic bags have been used on a daily basis since 1977 (Williamson, 2003) as a means of carrying items such as groceries as they are not only convenient but also cheap. However, the over-use of plastic bags has posed significant threats to the environment in recent times as they are non-biodegradable and also a threat to wildlife. The primary reason for this concern is that plastics bags are not re-used, but simply disposed of in landfills.
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Each year there is an increase in demands for plastic bags, and therefore more are shipped, creating further environmental pollution concerns. This increase in demand has lead to the phenomenal upsurge in the use and misuse of plastic bags globally, both in developed and developing countries. Statistics show that 4 to 5 trillion plastic bags are produced per annum, whereby North America and Western Europe account for nearly 80% (Geographical, 2005; Reusable Bags, 2005). Cheeseman (2007) states that approximately “380 billion plastic shopping bags are used in the United States annually”; in turn, only 0.6% of this is recycled.
Almost 96% of plastic bags are disposed of in landfills (Williamson, 2003). This leads up to another problem as plastic bags are non-biodegradable - in other words, plastic bags do not biodegrade for over a thousand years (Stevens 2001). Plastic bags may also land in farms and in oceans which have an impact on the wildlife. Livestock such as cows may eat plastic bags while grazing. These pose a threat if ingested as they may tangle in their stomachs, causing serious injuries and potentially death (Dreyer et al, 1999; Rasmussen 1999). Each year over a billion birds and mammals die due to the ingestion of plastic bags (Baker, 2002).
Many of these issues however, can be addressed and even resolved in several ways. Nowadays, a number of countries have begun to impose taxes on plastic bag consumption, with few even banning the use of plastic
The national government put in place the 5p Plastic bag charge, to try to and improve human health. This law has been very beneficial for human health. It is known that plastic bags take over 500 years to break down in landfills and as a result of that these landfills can cause air pollution and land pollution, which can effect individual’s repository system and other illnesses. By having this law in place landfills are not filled up with so much plastic bag rubbish and as a result can be helping improve human health. More reusable bags.
After a bill that would ban plastic bags in California was shot down, Adam B. Summers, author of, “Bag Ban Bad for Freedom and Environment,” explains how plastic bags should not be banned. He uses statistics, ethos, logos and diction to support his claim. Summers uses these devices to create a stronger argument. Summers overall purpose of his passage was to express his view that plastic bags should not be banned and the effects banning or not banning them would have on the environment. By using statistics, Summers creates a more credible argument.
The objective of this report is to illustrate the effect of the implementation of a plastic bag tax in Australia. By providing a brief overview of issues, correlated with plastic bag consumption in conjunction with current and proposed changes to policies in Australia. Through the application of economic theory, it can determined whether a tax would decrease consumption and through supporting evidence indicating its efficiency when applied in practice.
The author Adam B. Summers states in his article "Bag Ban Bad for Freedom and Environment" that plastic grocery bags are not that bad for the environment as we thought, but will infringe citizens' basic right. He effectively builds his argument by using comparison and reliable statistics.
People must start using reusable bags and bottles in order to decrease the amount of waste that is filling the planet. Plastic bags take between fifteen and one thousand
Opting for paper instead of plastic when one is able can be a great start. All over the world more places are gradually shifting to paper bags and banning plastic ones. California being one of the first states to recognize a plastic bag ban has the potential for lasting impacts given that in the Los Angeles area alone, 10 metric tons of plastic fragments are carried into the Pacific Ocean every day (Harth Richard). As more studies are being conducted and more information is being made public about the detrimental effects humanities over-consumption of plastic is having, some scientists are making attempts to make plastic safer and more sustainable. Some innovators are developing bioplastics, which are made from plant crops instead of fossil fuels. Others are working to make plastic truly biodegradable and some are looking for ways to make recycling more efficient (The History and the Future of
In response to the growth of our world indiscriminate use of plastic bags, Summers (2013) has stated that the plastic bad is harmful for people and environment in his article “Bag ban bad for freedom and environment”. He uses some facts, examples, statistical data and rhetorical question. Also, he tried to make emotionally readers when he explained how many jobs can be lost because of the bill and how much waste is caused by plastic bags to compare with paper.
Since 1985, America has used plastic bags due to them being waterproof and having handles making them easier to carry goods. Paper and plastic have always been a huge controversy in supermarkets through the preference of customers. Some customers prefer having the paper bags standing up straight in the trunks of their cars. Other customers prefer the plastic bags because of the handles making it easier to walk home and carry their goods. Although both preferences are fine, all customers know the dangers of the plastic bag. Banning plastic bags from stores and replacing them with only paper or reusable bags, will reduce corruption of organic products, reduce CO2 emissions from the creation and destruction of the plastic and prevent harm
Around the world, plastic bags are used by everyone everywhere. Some places you even will have to pay 5 to 15 cents for them, some places where you have to pay is Boulder, Colorado, Brownsville, Texas, and even in Washington D.C. We can all avoid this problem simply by just switching to reusable bags. Most stores can offer you to pay for the reusable bags and you get to keep them, and be able to use them as often as you would like, but if you would like to you could even DIY (do it yourself), but then you have to provide materials for yourself.
The well known writers of the Editorial Board, in their article, "Setting the pace on banning plastic bags", informs us on how communities such as Amherst have adopted prohibitions on plastic bags. The Boards purpose is to show us on how many communities have fought and created a path to plastic bag free communities. The board utilizes and informational tone to show how communities in Massachusetts are moving forward with laws in prohibiting plastic bags and instead reusable bags.
To whom it may concern, Since the 1960s, polyethylene bags has been a catalyst for the American economy and have directly effected employment opportunities in the United States. In recent years, the plastic bag industry created over 25,000 new jobs. However, it has made headlines due to the detrimental effects it has on the environment. With such risks, critics claim that it is crucial to control this activity through a bag tax. In this letter I will inform you about the damage this law presents and a possible solution to this issue. The implementation of a bag tax will put many out of work and devastate many businesses in America. For instance, the National Center for Policy Analysis reported that the 10 cent tax on plastic bags in Los Angeles forced a ten
Using these plastic bags are increasing the dangers of thing that are happening in the world.
The first plastic bags named ‘baggies’ in 1975 in the United States of America (Leo Hickman 2009). For the original use of plastic bag is to convenient and easy carrying food. In a long time, people dependence on plastic bags is embodied in many aspects of daily life, it makes people ignore what and how plastic bags contribute to environmental damage. The cost of produce plastic bags is low and plastic products are using a wide range, especially in large retailers, offering free plastic bags is one of the most basic service and standard for customers in a large supermarket.
Five hundred billion used globally and one hundred billion of them end up in U.S. landfills, taking about one thousand years to decompose, but only 5.2 percent were recycled (Borrud, 2007, p.75).-These are the figures plastic bags have produced every year. Human beings invented plastic bags for the convenience of carriers and packers. However, just as other great inventions, say, nuclear energy and biotechnology, plastic bags are causing serious issues like global warming, environment pollution and energy consumption. They are gradually becoming sword towards ourselves. In responding to this problem, the city of San Francisco has become the trail blazer to prohibit non-biodegradable plastic bags in its large supermarkets and pharmacies.
I decided to write this report after watching a documentary called, “Plastic Bags Environmental Impacts" on YouTube. The video showed poor innocent animals wrapped up in plastic bags and it made me feel heartbroken. So I wanted to find out what other issues do plastic bags create and if we really need to ban them, or if we need to find other alternatives, or just manage our use of them. Plastic bags have a benefit ‘convenience’, as most people nowadays use plastic bags for all sort of things e.g. moving things, reusing for shopping, art and crafts which show people are reusing them seen they are so convenient. My hypothesis is: Plastic bags are causing a problem and together we need to find a solution. My key questions are: What are the issues that plastic bags create? Are their environmentally friendly alternatives to plastic bags? How can we manage the use of plastic bags?