Strange Fruit: A Reason to Stop using Plastic Bags #4, #5 and #6

These trees should be called "Bag Ladies" because that are collecting all of our plastic bags.


Listed below is information from an organization called "Earth Resource Foundation", http://www.earthresource.org/; they list why plastic bags are a problem plus a list of solutions:

The problem
Plastic bags are:

• Made from petroleum, a nonrenewable resource.
• A serious litter problem since they are lightweight and hard to contain (blow around).
• Non-biodegradable, breaking into smaller particles BUT never fully disappearing.
• Mistaken for food by marine animals (particularly sea turtles).
• One of the most numerous items of litter along with cigarette butts and Styrofoam.
• A major part of waste in our landfills.

"I'm the problem, I'm the solution"

The solution

• Bring your own cloth [or burlap (jute)] bag.
• Ask for paper bag (holds 5 to 6 times more than a plastic bag).
• Ask your merchant to promote cloth bags (charge for plastic or provide incentives for cloth).
• Encourage development of bags made from natural products such as cornstarch and soy.
• Write your elected officials regarding the hazards of plastic bags.
• Participate in a community/beach cleanup.

It's a global thing!

Other countries are ahead of the United States in finding ways to reduce the impact of plastic bags on the environment!


Bangladesh: Polythene plastic bags have been banned completely - the government is promoting bags made of jute, a natural fiber.


Ireland: Individual consumers are required to pay a 15c tax per plastic bag - this has resulted in an estimated 90% reduction in plastic bag use in the first year.


The European Union: Member countries require manufacturers/producers of plastic bags and other plastic waste to take them back and recycle them.


Taiwan and South Africa:Both countries prohibit the thinner plastic bags - this encourages people to bring their own bags since retailers can't afford to provide the more expensive, thicker plastic bags for free.


Resources:
http://www.earthresource.org/campaigns/capp/capp-sea-turtles.html