subject: Eco-friendly Plastic Bags For A Cleaner Environment [print this page] Back in the day when you went to the grocery store, you rarely got a plastic bag but instead the store gave you paper ones. So when people would get plastic bags, they would wash them out so they could reuse them. When the manufactures of the plastic bags lowered the cost, stores started giving them out as if they were free. This is where the plastic bag problem began. Today there are trillions of plastic bags lying in the dump that won't decompose for hundreds of years. Another problem with plastic bags is that they're made of polyethylene (an oil by-product).
Eco-Friendly Plastic Bags
Polyethylene has some advantages and disadvantages. The one good thing about it is that you can recycle it, however; not everyone does and some recycle pick-ups won't take them so many of these plastic bags go to the dump. The bad thing about polyethylene is that as it decomposes, the gases that come off are harming the planet. For this reason, some government officials are trying to ban the bags altogether.
Unfortunately, there are times when a person needs to use polyethylene bags. A good example is when your dog has an accident on the floor and you need to dispose of it or you have a septic tank and can't flush your paper down the toilet or one that I've been known for, to dispose of my cat's litter. Another great use for these bags is if you are storing something for a long while like I've done with Christmas lights. It's a bit too difficult getting them back into the little box they came in.
The alternative to polyethylene bags is a plastic bag that has degradable on the label. These are becoming more obtainable in your local grocery store and discount retailers.
The Biodegradable Bag
When degradable products encounter the elements of nature such as rain, air and the sun, it causes a structural alteration. As microorganisms consume a material, this is known as biodegrading.
A biodegradable bag that is an alternative to your everyday plastic bag is the hydro-biodegradable bag. This bag is made from the starch of plants. Unfortunately though, this bag is not as eco-friendly as you might think. As the bag breaks down, it lets off harmful gases and takes more bacteria to break it down.
These bags are great for one time use such as holding your trash until it gets to the landfill. To reduce the number of bags you send to the landfill though, use reusable bags whenever possible.
If you're looking for a plastic bag that's biodegradable (the most ideal), you should find an oxo-biodegradable bag. This bag is still made from oil by products but as it breaks down, it doesn't harm the atmosphere as polyethylene does. When exposed to the sun, the oxo-biodegradable bag will degrade and bacteria will alter the plastic to an organic matter (compressed carbons). These bags will do this in half the time that it takes a polyethylene bag. The best thing about this bag is the manufacturer doesn't have to alter any of their machinery.
Plastic bags have become a bad element altogether and finding a better alternative to the plastic bag is definitely a must to keep our environment healthy. Avoid plastic bags altogether at the grocery story by taking a reusable bag and if you really need to use a plastic bag, make sure it's earth-friendly.
