What's in a Plastic Bag?

That which we call a plastic bag by any other name would still be bad for the environment, for wildlife, for all of us.

plastic bags in tree

For all the controversy surrounding plastic bags you would think they've been around forever. I mean they are all over the world, in every ocean, stuck on animals, found inside animals. But no, the plastic bags we usually think about, plastic grocery bags, were first introduced to grocery stores to replace brown paper bags in 1977.1 That's only 34 years ago - less than a life time.

What is it?

plastic bag on coral reef

Plastic bags are made from polyethylene which comes from non-renewable resources: crude oil and natural gas.1 They are very durable and flexible, reasons why they are so attractive.

Polyethylene is created through polymerization of ethylene, by reacting monomer molecules together in a chemical reaction to form three-dimensional networks or polymer chains.2 Under the right conditions of temperature, pressure and catalysis, the double bond of the ethylene monomer opens up and many monomers link up to form long chains.

Will it Decompose?
Well plastic bags won't biodegrade. When we say something is 'biodegradable' that means microbial organisms can break it down (basically eat it), transform it, into basic organic matter. When it comes to polyethylene, or plastic bags, microbes can't turn it into organic matter because they don't recognize it as food and won't eat it.

According to The Good Human3 plastic bags will photodegrade, a process by which the ultraviolet radiation from the sun breaks an object down. However Scientists aren't sure the resulting synthetic granules completely decompose and the concern is the synthetic material will build up in the environment, becoming a part of the food chain with detrimental, exponential effects.

plastic bags in river

How Much is there?
While plastic bag production was in it's infancy 34 years ago, today people in the U.S. take home 100 billion every year (according to Worldwatch Institute). Only 0.6 percent get recycled, but there seems to be some dispute about this number, with others claiming up to 7 percent. Still, that's 93 billion plastic bags that end up in the garbage or litter. Even bags that go into the garbage or into recycling bins can easily blow out. And these numbers are just for the United States.


Where do Plastic Bags go?
We know that plastic bags have made their way around the world and back again. Wind and ocean currents carry the light-weight bags wherever they go.

Plastic bags go in garbage, landfills, trees, streets, alleys, yards, parks, drains, rivers, lakes, oceans...they find their way into every environment. They end up stuck on animals, strangling animals, getting eaten by animals, and eventually getting eaten by us.

plastic bag stuck on bird

Wonder what plastic bags will do to our bodies, our immune system, our reproductive system...

What can You do?
This is the most powerful question you can ask. The simplest answer is take your cloth bag with you everywhere and say no to plastic bags. While this may not seem like much, it really does make a big difference. This is a change in culture. It only took one generation to create a plastic bag crisis. It can easily be reversed. Your power is in your action.

The other answer to the question is 'a lot!' Many cities, and countries around the world have banned or restricted plastic bags (and even plastic bag production) - 25% of the world according to Wikipedia. Other places have issued a tax. You can work with others in your community to help create a ban. You can also join organizations like 'No More Plastic Bags Please' in San Diego to help clean up and bring awareness of the issue.

Some people and organizations have found ways to reuse or make new products out of plastic bags (like New Life for Old Bags in Chicago). While these efforts are important to deal with the current plastic bag waste, it is important going forward to use cloth bags and give up the plastic.

A little humor to lighten the serious mood

What if I end up with a plastic bag?
It happens! People drop stuff off for me in plastic bags. Buns, bread, frozen vegetables, products ordered through the mail, just about everything comes in plastic. You can find an organization that uses plastic to make new products; you can cut up your plastic so it doesn't have a ring or whole that can get caught on an animal should it accidentally end up in the environment; you can recycle it; if you are really crafty you can reuse it yourself (try knitting it into a matt).

In the end, it's up to you. Will you carry cloth bags? Will you carry your 5 items to the car when you forget a cloth bag? Will you buy a reusable bag when you forget your own? Will you take your cloth bags to stores beyond the supermarket? It's really simple and I hope you can see that you make a difference.

What one person can do

1. Source: packagingknowledge 
2.  Source: Wikipedia
3. Source: The Good Human

Alexandra Gnoske is an Environmental Expert, Owner of Recycle Me and the Author/Illustrator of 'Loui Saves the Earth.'