Why We Should Say NO to Plastic Bags
Breaking Down the Problems with Plastic Bags
Ditching your plastic bag habit can be hard, but it is completely possible. Plastic bags provide a lot of convenience when you find yourself at the checkout, but that convenience comes at a price. Here are the reasons why we should say no to plastic bags and make the switch to reusable bags.
Nonrenewable Resources
Plastic is made from natural gas and petroleum. These materials are both nonrenewable resources which means that there is only just so much available to go around to make all of the plastic used and needed. Single-use plastic grocery bags are not necessary, so by eliminating them, there are more nonrenewable resources available to create other plastic items that are much more necessary.
Low Recycling Rates
Disposable plastic bags are recyclable, which means they are capable of being repurposed again and again into new and useful items. However, the recycling rates for plastic bags are very low. Actually processing and handling these thin-film bags is challenging. The bags can easily become stuck and tangled in machinery. Removing the tangled bags can be time-consuming and potentially dangerous, so many recycling facilities do not accept single-use plastic bags.
Since not all recycling programs accept plastic bags it’s less convenient for consumers to recycle their bags. Disposable plastic bags cannot just be tossed in a curbside recycling bin, so their not likely to be recycled even by people who want to recycle plastic bags.
Landfills and Litter
With a lack of viable recycling options, most plastic bags end up in landfills or as litter. This is a waste because those nonrenewable resources are now lost to the manufacturing industry. Plastic in landfills and litter is also dangerous. As plastic is exposed to the elements it breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces of plastic. These plastic pieces can be ingested by animals (making it into our food chain) or leach into the soil. Animals can become tangled in or ingest larger plastic pieces, resulting in severe harm and even death.
Effective Solutions
Saying ‘no’ to plastic bags and making the switch to reusable bags is ultimately the best option. Reusable bags alleviate all of the issues mentioned above. Grocery bags made from recycled or sustainable content can be used repeatedly and completely do away with the need for disposable bags.
Your Business Can Be a Part of The Solution
Customizing reusable bags allows your customers to drastically reduce the amount of single-use plastic they consume, while also spreading the word about your business. We have been in the business of helping our clients create completely custom reusable bags for just over a decade and we can help you do the same. Reach out to learn more and find out just how easy and cost-effective it can be to create your own bags, reduce the amount of single-use plastic being used, and grow your brand.
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