Omar Khalid
Plastic bags are a major source of pollution, with plastic waste accumulating in streets, oceans, and other natural habitats. The toxic fumes released during the incineration of plastic waste pose serious health risks, and the ingestion of plastic by marine animals has led to the deaths of millions of creatures. To combat this, many countries, cities, and counties have implemented plastic bag bans or taxes. While these measures have reduced plastic bag usage, they have also resulted in increased sales of garbage bags and paper bags, which can have negative environmental impacts as well. As there is no perfect way to dispose of garbage, the best option is to reduce waste generation and recycle whenever possible.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for plastic bag bans | Plastic bags are made out of petroleum-based plastic, don't biodegrade, and end up in creeks, lakes, or oceans, entangling marine life. |
| Impact of bans | People use fewer plastic bags, leading to less plastic trash. However, sales of thicker trash bags increase, and there is a surge in paper bag use, which increases greenhouse gas emissions. |
| Alternative solutions | Using second-hand plastic bags, using plastic bags only for wet garbage, separating compostable waste, using compostable 'plastics', and campaigning for separating waste streams. |
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What You'll Learn
Reduce, reuse, recycle
The "reduce, reuse, recycle" mantra is a set of guidelines to help individuals cut down on waste and improve recycling habits.
Reduce
The most effective way to reduce waste is to not create it in the first place. Making new products emits greenhouse gases, requires a lot of materials and energy, and contributes to climate change. Therefore, reduction and reuse are the most effective ways to save natural resources, protect the environment, and save money.
To reduce waste, buy used items and donate items you no longer need, such as clothing, electronics, and building materials. Avoid single-use plastics, such as plastic bags, bottles, wrappers, and straws, and opt for reusable alternatives instead.
Reuse
Before throwing something away, consider if it can be reused. For example, use cloth napkins, washable plates, cups, and silverware instead of disposable options. Reuse plastic bags for other purposes, such as garbage disposal or dog walking. When possible, opt for products with a high post-consumer recycled content, such as clothing and shopping bags made from plastic bottles.
Recycle
Get to know your local recycling program and encourage proper recycling within your household and community. Recycle old electronics, such as cell phones, and donate them to causes such as domestic violence support programs. Save food scraps and yard waste for composting, and return empty beverage cans and bottles to get your deposit back.
Other tips to reduce, reuse, and recycle include using libraries to borrow books, CDs, DVDs, and other items instead of buying new ones. Donate your used books and shop at thrift stores to find new homes for unwanted items.
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Composting wet trash
Composting is nature's way of recycling. It is a resourceful way to recycle food scraps and yard trim, reducing our trash, addressing climate change, and building healthy soil.
To start composting at home, you will need two containers with holes to circulate air. The first container can be filled with daily wet waste. Once it is full, set it aside for about a month to decompose fully. Meanwhile, use the second container for the next month and cycle the two. The containers should be big enough to hold two months' worth of kitchen waste.
The ingredients for composting include a proper balance of carbon-rich materials ("browns"), nitrogen-rich materials ("greens"), water (moisture), and air (oxygen). Fruit and vegetable peels, scraps, and pits, as well as grains, breads, pasta, hair, tea leaves, and coffee grounds can be added to the compost. It is important to avoid adding pasta dripping with sauce and oil as it can clump up your pile.
As the materials in the compost pile begin to decompose, the temperature of the pile will rise. Turning and mixing the pile will help speed up the decomposition process and aerate the pile. Use a garden fork to turn the outside of the pile inward. Monitor your pile for moisture, odour, and temperature and make adjustments as needed. If the pile is too dry, moisten it and turn it. If it has a bad odour, it may be too wet or need more air circulation. Add more dry material to the pile and turn it.
Finished compost will look dark, loose, and crumbly and smell like fresh soil. Most, if not all, of the materials that went into the compost pile should be decomposed. Screen or sift your finished compost to filter out materials that didn’t break down, such as twigs, fruit pits, and eggshells. These can be added back into the active pile or to a new pile.
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Using paper bags for dry waste
Plastic bags have become ubiquitous in recent decades, with their durability and affordability making them a popular choice for consumers. However, the environmental impact of plastic waste has led to a growing movement advocating for a ban on plastic bags. While some argue that a fee on plastic bags is a smarter approach than a complete ban, the negative consequences of plastic pollution are undeniable. Plastic waste clogs drains, causes floods, litters landscapes, and poses a severe threat to wildlife, with millions of marine animals dying each year due to plastic entanglement and ingestion.
As a result, many individuals are seeking alternative ways to dispose of their garbage without relying on plastic trash bags. One option that has gained traction is the use of paper bags for dry waste. Paper bags are biodegradable, which helps to reduce non-biodegradable litter and can be a more environmentally friendly option than plastic. However, it is important to note that the production of paper bags also has environmental implications, including the need for tree cutting and processing, which requires water, toxic chemicals, fuel, and heavy machinery.
When using paper bags for dry waste, it is essential to ensure that the bags are strong enough to hold the waste without tearing. It is also crucial to dispose of the paper bags properly, either through recycling or composting, to minimize their environmental impact. Additionally, using paper bags for dry waste can be combined with other waste management strategies, such as separating dry and wet garbage, to further reduce plastic usage.
While paper bags may not be the perfect solution for everyone, they can be a viable alternative to plastic trash bags for those seeking to reduce their plastic waste. By adopting a combination of strategies, individuals can play a role in mitigating the environmental and ecological impacts of plastic pollution and contribute to a more sustainable future.
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Avoiding single-use plastics
Single-use plastics are a significant contributor to the waste that inundates communities with pollution. Plastic waste not only destroys the land itself but also releases toxic fumes when incinerated, which can cause skin rashes and cancer in nearby residents. It is estimated that more than nine billion metric tons of plastic have been produced since the 1950s, with more than half of this plastic being brought to market after 2000.
To avoid contributing to this waste, it is important to reduce your use of single-use plastics. Here are some ways to do so:
- Refuse single-use plastics: Make it a habit to refuse single-use plastics whenever possible. For example, request "no straw" when at a restaurant, and let the server know you don't need a plastic bag or plastic utensils with your takeout.
- Reusable alternatives: Invest in reusable alternatives to single-use plastics, such as mesh produce bags, reusable water bottles, and reusable containers for storing leftovers.
- Buy in bulk: Avoid individually packaged goods, such as plastic bags of rice and beans. Instead, purchase dried pantry staples in bulk and bring your own containers.
- Cook more: Cooking at home reduces your use of plastic-heavy takeout containers.
- Compost: Compost your food waste to shrink your personal waste stream.
- Recycle: When you can't avoid plastic packaging, look for alternatives that can be reused and recycled, such as glass jars and bottles, and aluminum cans and foil.
While it may not be possible to eliminate single-use plastics entirely, making these simple changes can significantly reduce your plastic waste and help protect the environment.
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Biodegradable alternatives
One alternative to plastic is paper. Paper bags are more biodegradable than plastic and are easier to recycle, especially if they are already made from recycled paper. However, paper bags are not without their environmental impact. They require cutting down and processing trees, which involves the use of water, toxic chemicals, fuel, and heavy machinery. The production of paper bags also results in increased greenhouse gas emissions.
Another alternative is to use cloth bags, such as cotton tote bags. However, a 2011 study by the UK government found that a person would have to reuse a cotton tote bag 131 times before it was better for climate change than using a plastic bag once.
More innovative biodegradable alternatives to plastic include:
- Biodegradable algae-based packaging, such as those produced by Norwegian startup B'zeos and 2022 Earthshot winner Notpla. Their products include biodegradable condiment packets, cutlery, and plastic wrap, all of which are designed to biodegrade completely in less than 47 days.
- PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoates), which is produced by microorganisms through bacterial fermentation fueled by plant sources. PHA is more biodegradable than other bioplastics like PLA (polylactic acid) and can be easily composted at home.
- A process developed by PlantSwitch turns agricultural waste products, such as rice husks and wheat straw, into compostable pellets made from a biopolymer resin. These pellets are designed to be completely biodegradable in 8 weeks.
- An anti-microbial and biodegradable spray-on protective coating for produce and other food items, invented by scientists at Rutgers University in partnership with Harvard University. The spray is made out of plant cellulose and is designed to be rinsed off with water and degrade in soil within 3 days.
- Mushroom-based products, such as packaging made from mycelium, can replace plastic. The fibers in the mushroom bind agricultural waste into an alternative kind of foam that is organic, biodegradable, and can be used as compost or mulch.
- Milk plastic, made out of casein, the protein found in milk, is making a comeback. Newer technology combines casein with clay and a reactive molecule to create a sturdier product.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use someone else's plastic bags, or use plastic bags only for wet garbage and put dry garbage into a separate can without a liner. You can also use compostable 'plastics' which are not actually plastic.
Plastic bag bans reduce non-biodegradable litter and can reduce the amount of plastic trash by 40 million pounds per year.
People who reuse plastic bags for purposes other than shopping may still need bags, leading to an increase in the sales of plastic trash bags. There may also be a surge in the use of paper bags, which requires cutting down and processing trees, involving the use of water, toxic chemicals, fuel and heavy machinery.
