Did you BYOB the last time you went shopping? This is a question everyone ought to ask themselves. We are halfway through 2010 and there has never been a more crucial time to bring your own green shopping bags. When you BYOB, instead of using single-use plastic or paper disposable bags, you instantaneously become a part of the solution to the massive urban waste problem linked with disposable shopping bag waste. As of July 1st 2010, it is estimated that over 240 billion plastic bags have been consumed in 2010 alone. Whats even more alarming is the impact that plastic and paper single-use bags are continuing to have on the ecosystem. The intent of this article is to look at the latest reports regarding large-scale efforts to reduce the use of plastic and paper throw-away bags along with the related litter, and discuss what alternatives are available to us individual consumers in order to know for sure we are a part of the solution to this problem.
The excellent news is that BYOB momentum is growing rapidly in 2010. Provided you havent heard yet, the California legislature has proposed a bill; AB 1998 (to be voted on by the Senate in August), which would ban single-use bags sold in supermarkets, drugstores, convenience, and liquor stores and take full effect by 2013. Even The Governator, Arnold Schwarzenegger, said that he would sign his name on the bill if it makes it to his desk. This certainly could be a huge victory for all friends of the natural world to have the largest state, inside the 3rd largest country on the planet, to put a prohibition on disposable plastic bags. Considering that China initially cracked down on plastic bags in 2008 and Ireland lawmaking efforts to lower plastic bag consumption began in 2002, it is so wonderful to hear that California lawmakers have introduced this bill to the table.
In the United States, cities from San Francisco to Los Angeles to Washington DC have approved or enacted laws that either tax customers for the utilization of plastic bags or prohibit them overall, but California would be the first American state to take action if this legislation were to be approved. Believe it or not, even legislators from the state of Texas have created possible legislation that would add a seven-cent tax per single-use bag used. It is so exciting that there is a chance that both Texas and California may possibly soon have laws and regulations in place to combat the plastic bag epidemic. Efforts by individuals and governments to cut down large-scale use of single-use shopping bags is a good method to motivate people and spread the word about the extremely positive benefits of eco friendly reusable shopping bags.
Plastic bags might take up to 1000 years to biodegrade completely, and prior to that it just deteriorates down in smaller and even tinier poisonous pieces that end up in our food, water, and soil. Biodegradable green bags, are a great alternative, once thrown away in landfill sites, the exposure to daylight, air, and warmth will convert these bags into liquid, carbon dioxide, mineral salt and biomass. Like a fallen leaf, it will disappear over time as well as leave NO Harmful Residue in the soil. Single-use plastic bags end up in our landfills as well as regularly get tangled and cause permanent harm in garbage management equipment. Hundreds of millions if not billions of further bags end up as urban litter and frequently find their way in to ponds, large bodies of water, streams, as well as the sea. Creatures, especially nautical animals, get entangled in disposable plastic bags, and/or swallow them and often suffocate or starve to death.
So the resolution brings us back to BYOB, which is extremely easy. Just remember to use environmentally friendly reusable grocery bags or recycled grocery bags, or reuse an older bag, period. Be sure to keep spare reusable bags in your vehicle or in your backpack, because you will want to make sure they are accessible when you require them. Also remember to sanitize your bags after use, particularly after transporting uncooked foods and/or cleaning supplies. You may also present them to your friends and family as a reminder to BYOB. Of course, continuously remember to recycle when the chance presents itself, recycling is always a win-win situation for the natural world. Adopting a BYOB habit in our individual lives and organizations is in truth the best way to guarantee we are truly part of the resolution rather than the problem. Right now is the time to go out and lead by example.
Albert Jefferson is an accomplished writer discussing eco and sustainability issues and spreading the word to consumers and companies to utilize wholesale eco bags to promote both their brand and awareness for the environment. We can help this planet with every bag we reuse.
