Do you have a pile of plastic bags at home? Would you like to get rid of them? Plastic bags are a very common way to package our groceries. Plastic bags are essential to our everyday life. They help us carry the most insignificant products to the most valuable ones. Besides being a convenient packaging source, there are some negative effects of plastic bag usage. This article discusses the pros and cons of plastic bags as well as a revolutionary invention that will change the way we view plastic bags.

Negative Effects

Plastic bags take about 8% of our oil resources. According to The World Counts, more than 100 billion plastic bags are used every year in the United States. Not only that, plastic bags are made of polythene, which is harmful to the environment.

Besides causing pollution throughout the world, plastic bags take hundreds of years to decompose, which makes it even more harmful to the environment. Many locations where wildlife lives have suffered from plastic bag pollution. A wide range of animals has been found with plastic bags wrapped around their necks or body parts, which is a major concern for environmentalists.

Positive Effects

Even with all the negative effects, plastic bags are a source of packaging for our everyday life. Plastic bags are lightweight and have multiple uses. It could be used as a trash bag or as a cushion when you package a product.

Plastic bags are also a great alternative when it comes to price because it is cheaper to make them. They are more durable than paper bags and are waterproof.

Alternative Solution

A company in Chile has made a plastic bag that takes 5 minutes to dissolve in water.

These bags would aim to replace regular plastic bags by reducing the harm being caused as stated by the founders, “We are oriented to those that, by their nature, are difficult to recycle and end up being garbage, affecting our seas, rivers, flora, and fauna.” The bags are biodegradable and are made from calcium carbide and natural gas. They are also three times stronger than phytoene, which could help with the packaging of products.

Many countries have also banned the use of plastic bags, which helps the environment but decreases the practical use of plastic bags for carrying products.

Conclusion

In conclusion, plastic bags help us package our products every day. There are also many pros and cons of using plastic bags. The main problem is how environments are being destroyed by this type of bag. There must be a way to make a more efficient and environmentally friendly alternative for regular plastic bags. Then, we will be able to continue to carry on our daily lives without having to worry about how poorly the environment is being affected by regular plastic bags.

References

http://solubag.cl/

http://www.theworldcounts.com/stories/Plastic-Bag-Pollution-Facts

https://education.seattlepi.com/happens-plastic-grocery-bags-recycled-4791.html