Plastic bags
can be harmful to the Earth.
It turns out that the free plastic bags we get by the dozens from grocery stores really have a much greater cost to our environment than we thought. They litter countrysides, clutter landfills and harm wildlife.
Litter
According to John Roach's article, "Are Plastic Grocery Bags Sacking the Environment?" somewhere between 500 billion and a trillion plastic bags are used worldwide each year. Although many of these get reused or recycled, millions end up as litter along roads, on beaches or in streams.
Decomposition
Once in the environment, it can take hundreds of years for plastic bags to break down. As they decompose, small amounts of toxins seep into soils, lakes, rivers and oceans.
Wildlife
According to Roach, there has been a dramatic increase in the amount of plastic bags found floating in oceans around the world. These sacks can choke and strangle wildlife such as sea turtles and penguins.
Paper or Plastic?
Roach writes that plastic bags are actually better than paper in many ways. They consume less energy, generate less solid waste and atmospheric emissions, and release fewer waterborne wastes. They also cost 75 percent less to make.
Reusable Bags
Using fabric or canvas totes is a smart alternative to paper and plastic bags. They do cost more initially, but their versatility makes the cost worthwhile. Their larger size allows them to hold more groceries, and larger handles make toting groceries easier. They are slowly becoming a more popular and fashionable way to carry everything from groceries to books to beach gear.
