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The Plastic Bag: Is it on the Way OUT?


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The Plastic Bag: Is it on the Way OUT?

Small, Conscious Choices Can Make a Difference!

As shown in this graphic from ResuseThisBag.com, plastic bags are a huge problem worldwide—and especially in the U.S., where more than 75% of all of the plastic bags in the world are used. The good news is that progress is being made to reduce this number, as evidenced by recent statewide plastic bag bans in California and Hawaii along with others in various cities and towns across the nation. There’s still a long way to go, however, to rid the country, and the world, of the silent strangler that’s littering our landscapes and choking our oceans.

Download This Infographic

plastic_infographic

Image Courtesy of ReuseThisBag.com

While the problem of plastic pollution is undoubtedly a big one, we at Norwex Movement know that small, conscious choices can effect enormous change, especially when we join efforts!

Let’s resolve to be part of the solution!

Here are a few facts about plastic bags from onegreenplanet.org to help us remember to do our part in the fight against plastic pollution:

  • 60,000 plastic bags are consumed in the U.S. every 5 seconds.
  • They are made using non-renewable resources, either petroleum or natural gas.
  • They take huge amounts of energy to manufacture, transport across the country, and recycle.
  • They don’t break down in landfill sites (due to lack of oxygen and light—nothing does), but over time they release dangerous chemicals.
  • They’re incredibly difficult to recycle, causing problems such as blocking the sorting equipment used by most recycling facilities.
  • Buildups of plastic bags are notorious for causing blockages of local drainage systems in developing countries. The floods in Bangladesh in 1988 and 1998, and frequent flooding in Manila can be attributed to blockages caused by this litter.
  • Floating plastic bags [in our oceans] are often mistaken for jellyfish by marine animals who feed on them, such as sea turtles which are threatened with becoming endangered due to mass ingestion of plastics.
comment_2Have you joined in the fight against plastic pollution? We’d love to hear about it. Just let us know how in a comment below.
Do you reuse (or refuse) plastic bags regularly?

View Results
 
Yes:
 
95%
No:
 
5%
Total Votes:
174
View Poll

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Tanya Aoyagi
Tanya Aoyagi
7 years ago

One of our family goals for 2016 was to reduce our plastic bag use. We take our reusable bags to the store every time now, and we have been reusing our stash of old plastic bags for trash, cat litter, and packing material to get more use out of them.

Moderator
Admin
Moderator
7 years ago
Reply to  Tanya Aoyagi

Those are excellent idea, Tanya! Thank you for sharing them.

bethany hildebrandt
bethany hildebrandt
7 years ago

I love that norwex uses biodegradeable bags

Joan Gazzard-Desrosiers
Joan Gazzard-Desrosiers
7 years ago

Hello,
I live in Brossard, Quebec, Canada, plastic bags have been banned here (Thankfully) When we shop we always take bags for our purchases, everyone co-operates, it feels good that in some small way we are helping the ocean and the sea-life.

Andrea McNally
Andrea McNally
7 years ago

I am not perfect in this area but appreciate the education. Over the past few years, I have been making a change and know it is because others continue to take the time to voice the truth!

Douglas Friesen
Douglas Friesen
7 years ago

WE almost never take a plastic bag. We carry bags in our car and my wife has a collapsible bag in her purse that we use when we go to stores other than for groceries.

Karen Codrington
Karen Codrington
7 years ago

More needs to be done in Australia! Plastic bags are still given out all the time. I always refuse but hate being caught out when not asked.

Amber Lettau
Amber Lettau
7 years ago

I honestly never realized the impact of the plastic bag. Clearly I will be making some changes! Thank you for the education on the matter.

Michelle Rauscher
Michelle Rauscher
7 years ago

I use to be better about taking reusable bags with me to the store….after reading these reminders, I will be more committed!

Moderator
Admin
Moderator
7 years ago

Good for you, Michelle! We all need these reminders!

Janice Rebey
Janice Rebey
7 years ago

I am amazed at the amount of plastic bags people use in the store. I always have reusable bags in my car and have taught my daughter to do the same!

Tami Vacca
Tami Vacca
7 years ago

I’m happy to say that I am firmly in the habit of bringing my own bags to the grocery store. I hope that plastic bags are banned completely in our state!

Tammy Harman
Tammy Harman
7 years ago

I have bought reusable bag from Sams and the animal rescue site. I keep them in my car so as to use everywhere, even when traveling.

Samantha Rose
Samantha Rose
7 years ago

When we know better, we do better. I am in no way perfect, but in our family we are making an effort by carrying our own reusable bags with us. We really love the Reusable Produce Bags as well as the Reusable Grocery Sacks from Norwex.

Dori Vollmer
Dori Vollmer
7 years ago

I have used plastic bags you get from stores (i don’t mean not the ones you buy, but the ones you get when you buy something) for garbage can liners for years. i also take my extra plastic bags to the recycling barrel at the grocery store. However, i’m just thinking about this, your still putting the plastic bag in the garbage when replacing the bag you had in there. Then there is the plastic bags that you put your fruit/veggies in from the grocery store. I recycle those as well. I have 2 bins in my house, one for garbage and one for all recyclables. I use cloth bags when i grocery shop.. don’t forget to wash these every now and then as they can get dirty/contaminated too from your food. That’s on my list, now that i think about it. LOL.

Jennifer Rottman
Jennifer Rottman
6 years ago

amazing facts. I cant wait for the USA to ban plastic bags.

Gingi Freeman
Gingi Freeman
6 years ago

As a Californian, I have mixed feelings on the plastic bag ban. I deeply appreciate that stores now charge for plastic bags, and that the bags they do offer are biodegradable. However, I think that it is wrong that the stores can price gouge on bags, and that the profit they make from this legislation goes to pad their ALREADY overstuffed pockets at the consumers expense. We basically gave mega corporations free reign to tax and penny and dime us in this area. I would have MUCH preferred to see this money go toward groups like Washed Ashore…