6 replies to this topic

[kat74]

Polythene bags have become a menace in many countries, they litter the environment and since they are not biodegradable, they can rot away. Many countries don't have the capacity to recycle them after use so they are left to suffocate the environment.

What would you suggest for these countries to do to save the environment which is dying from this bags.

[godarna]

This is may be an idea, found the info at Wiki:

"Biodegradable bioplastics are often used for organic waste bags, where they can be composted together with the food or green waste. Some trays and containers for fruit, vegetables, eggs and meat, bottles for soft drinks and dairy products and blister foils for fruit and vegetables are manufactured from bioplastics".

But better forbid the use of polythene bags, advise companies and shops to use biodegradable or paper bags. Inform the population through the media to bring their own shopping bags.

[criticalthinking]

I'm always picking these bags up when I go for a walk. They are everywhere! I frequently see them covering trees too. I wish people at least would stop tossing them on the ground.

[jasserEnv]

In some places, they are charging for the bags to deter their use. This offers some benefits, but in my view they don't charge enough. However, in 3rd world countries, it is best to just ban them outright. Bangladesh did so to prevent blocked drains that were adding to flooding concerns. In Indonesia, I saw similar problems with plastic bottles that were everywhere. I was in the middle of the jungle and there were plastic all over in the stream. It was just ridiculous.

To my understanding, the compostable bags aren't yet an option in many places because of the poor conditions in which they will be stored. They will start to break down well in advance of being used causing them to not be used. At the same time, when some of the bags break down, they turn into very small particles that don't break down further so they can cause problems of their own.

Ultimately, those introducing these advances should be responsible for the cradle to grave responsibilities associated.

[Green Olive]

I suggest taking those bags, and weaving a sturdier bag, from strips. If you can crochet, or knit, you can even make yarn, out of the plastic bags. If you are really crafty, you might even be able to knit a poncho, for when it rains. There is so many things you can do with the plastic bags, people need to stop being lazy. I do not care if you are from America, or a third world country, take some responsibility and do not litter!

[jasserEnv]

While I agree that everyone should take responsibility, it is much harder to instill in people who don't have the benefits of a strong education and a supportive society. If you are among the poorest of the poor, you often don't have time to be a resourceful as you could be. All of your effort is put just toward caring for your children and surviving to the next day. That's why I think that those offering technologies such as these should be held responsible for ensuring cradle to grave handling of the products.

[Ares7]

Where I live, most shops charge people for plastic bags or offer a 'Bag for Life' which is designed to be used over and over. I usually go for the bag for life option. Other places have decided to switch to traditional paper bags for shopping. I think most people generally use the plastic bags for convenience as paper bags don't hold much when it rains! Although this may be a slightly selfish way of looking at it, I doubt that many people will stop using them altogether as most people do not know that they are not biodegradable and, even if they did, I doubt they'd care much when it comes to their day to day shopping activities. It's one of the pitfalls of the modern world: people just don't have time to think about what they may feel is a small matter. I also think that making these biodegradable bags costs money and on some countries budgets, other things may take priority.