by History and Invention of Plastic Bags
It was in the late 1960s when plastic bags began replacing paper bags in grocery stores due to their low manufacturing cost and convenience. Plastic bags were invented in 1965 by Swedish engineer Sten Gustaf Thulin. He received a patent for a two-handled bag made from polyethylene plastic material. These plastic bags were cheap, lightweight and durable which led to their widespread adoption for shopping and goods transportation. Within a decade, plastic bags had replaced paper bags in most retail stores across the world due to these advantages.
Environmental Impacts of Plastic Bags
While plastic bags and sacks were a major technological innovation for packaging and transport, they have become one of the most problematic plastics polluting our environment. Almost one trillion Plastic Bag and Sackare used worldwide every year. Most end up in landfills or as litter since they are made from polymers that take centuries to break down naturally. Discarded plastic bags choke rivers and waterways, harm marine life and wildlife. They also release toxic pollutants when burned. Microplastics from degraded plastic bags also enter the food chain through ingestion by fish and other organisms. Additionally, manufacturing plastic bags requires non-renewable crude oil and natural gas resources. This has made plastic bags one of the most visible symbols of the global plastic pollution crisis.
Growing Efforts to Reduce Plastic Bag Usage
Due to the severe environmental impact of plastic bags, many countries and jurisdictions have imposed regulations to reduce their usage. Over the last two decades, government policies such as bans, levies or taxes on plastic bags have been enacted in over 60 countries. Several cities and counties in the U.S. and Europe also restrict or prohibit single-use thin plastic bags. These policies aim to reduce waste and encourage more sustainable alternatives like reusable cloth bags. Retailers are also promoting bring-your-own-bag practices and adopting voluntary bag reduction targets. While effective in cutting plastic bag pollution, these initiatives have faced criticism from plastic bag manufacturers and retailers associations for impacting businesses.
Challenges in Reducing Dependence on Plastic Sacks
Despite awareness of their impacts, plastic bags and sacks remain widely used globally due to lack of affordable alternatives. Developing countries where waste management infrastructure is poor are among the biggest users and polluters. Low-income shoppers who rely on plastic bags to transport goods from open-air markets face economic hardships with strict plastic bag bans. The durability and low-cost of plastic bags versus paper and cloth options also influence consumer habits. Many doubt the effectiveness of selective bans and compliance remains an issue without strict enforcement. While manufacturers are developing biodegradable and compostable plastic alternatives, their higher costs still impede mass adoption. Thus, completely eliminating plastic bag usage worldwide remains a major challenge.
Environment-Friendly Alternatives to Plastic Bags
To find sustainable replacements for plastic bags without creating socioeconomic problems, several options are being evaluated and promoted globally:
Reusable Bags: Made from durable materials like cotton, jute, nylon or polyester, reusable bags can replace hundreds of single-use plastic bags if regularly used. However, their higher upfront costs present affordability issues in the developing world.
Biodegradable and Compostable Bags: Certified home compostable plastic bags and paper bags are being mass-produced as zero-waste substitutes. However, without proper commercial or municipal composting facilities, they still end up as litter polluting the environment.
Improved Waste Management Systems: Investment in modern waste segregation, collection and recycling infrastructure can prevent plastic bag pollution more effectively than selective bans alone. But high implementation costs remain a limitation, especially in developing nations.
Finding the Right Solution
While Plastic Bags and Sacks undeniably cause environmental harm, banning them overnight without suitable alternatives risks harming socioeconomic welfare, especially for vulnerable sections. A measured multi-pronged approach is required – promoting reuse, improving waste management alongside phasing out non-essential plastic usage and subsidizing greener replacements. Public awareness campaigns can also play a role by sensitizing communities about responsible plastic waste handling and disposal. With global cooperation and innovation, we hope to transition towards more environmentally friendly bag options that do not burden people or businesses.
Ravina Pandya, a content writer, has a strong foothold in the market research industry. She specializes in writing well-researched articles from different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemicals and materials, etc. With an MBA in E-commerce, she has expertise in SEO-optimized content that resonates with industry professionals.
