Literature Review

Abstract

Research has shown that the use of plastic bags has increased annually, increasing sea pollution, and the death of animals along the sea shore due to ingestion. With different statistics on plastic bag consumption, there are many ways to approach the research. This literature review goes into an in depth look at the impact that plastic bags are having on the environment, in order to bring awareness. Statistical data is given in order to have support and give more credibility to the topic. Lastly, this literature review consists of various, ongoing research that provides a future look into alternatives for plastic bags, giving the paper a balancing touch.

Recycling Awareness: Plastic Bags

            Thirty-four years ago, plastic bags were first introduced to the supermarkets in the U.S as an alternative to paper bags, creating the checkout question, “Paper or Plastic” (Food Marketing Institute, 2008). Ever since, the ratio of plastic bags has increase, especially since the “T-shirt” bags with handles came into place. In 1996, out of every five grocery bags, four were plastic (Food Marketing Institute, 2008). According to the Arlington, Virginia-based American Plastics Council, at least 80 percent of markets give out plastic bags now in day (Roach, 2003). The modernly common plastic bags, made of polyethylene, have been incorporated into the daily usage of a person’s life, increasing the demand for the production of plastic bags. The daily use of plastic bag consists of the following list: trash bags, gym clothes bag, water way clogs, and turtle stomach inhabitants.  Due to the high demand in plastic bags, they have been found drifting in the ocean due to their slow decomposition. It has also been proved that many marine animals have died because of plastic bag ingestion, all this according to the Algalita Marine Research Foundation (Facts About the Plastic Bag Pandemic, 2011). In order to get a better understanding of the scenario in which plastic bags are being considered an issue, the following questions have been researched:

1.      What are the rates of plastic bag production and consumption?

2.      What are the effects of the production and consumption of plastic bags on the environment?

3.      Can plastic bags be recycled, if not, what are some alternatives?

These three questions will highlight the rate in which plastic bags are being used, and then it will reflect on the statistics in order to discuss the potential alternatives to their usage. Once each question is thoroughly answered, a reflection upon plastic bags as a whole will be made.

What are the rate of plastic bag production and consumption?

Every year, plastic bags seem to be increasing in production size world wide. Annually, there are 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags being used, meaning that around 1 million plastic bags are used every minute (Facts About the Plastic Bag Pandemic, 2011). With high numbers of plastic bags being produced, high numbers of bags are being consumed, yet there is no cycle in this creation. Bags are produced then consumed and disposed, then once again, produced, consumed, and disposed. The production of plastic bags may be cheaper than other resources. According to the Wall Street Journal, in the U.S, 100 billion plastics bags cost retailers approximately $4 billion dollars a year (Facts About the Plastic Bag Pandemic, 2011). Knowing the big numbers in which plastic bags are being produced, a short survey was conducted in order to see what the rate of consumption was.

At the University of Texas at El Paso, 20 people were asked to take a quick survey that consisted of four questions dealing with plastic bag consumption. (Survey, March 24, 2011). The focus of the survey was to find out what the rates of consumption of plastic bags are in common households. 55 percent of the people surveyed said that on a typical run the super market they gathered between 20~29 plastic bags, the remaining 45 percent said that they gathered between 5 to 19 bags in a typical trip (Survey, March 24, 2011).  The second question in the survey asked what the uses of the consumed platic bags were in their house holds, 85 percent answered that they used them as trash bags, the remaining 15 percent stated that they often used them as lunch or gym bags (Survey, March 24, 2011). These rates have called for proposed taxes or banning in the U.S (Food Marketing Institute, 2008).

Since the rise of concerns about increased plastic bag production and consumption causing pollution, more than 40 states have considered legislation to tax plastic bags or permanently ban their use (Food Marketing Institute, 2008). In other states, plastic bag recycling programs have been instituted as an alternative. Although the programs exist, CNN and BBC news sources reported that the average percentage of bags the do get recycled is anywhere from .5 percent to 3 percent (Facts about the Plastic Bag Pandemic, 2011), a levy has been applied to plastic bags, so at checkout cashiers don’t offer plastic bags unless the customer is willing to pay. According to the Irish Department of the Environment, after the tax was imposed, there was a 95 percent drop in plastic bag use (O’Murcho, 2003).

­­Figure 1. The figure above shows the how the sale of plastic bags increased even though a tax was applied in Ireland between the years of 2002 and 2006. Along with the increase in bag sales, the revenue collect went up as well. Reprinted from “Plastic Bags Sold 2002-2006,” by Anti Litter League. 2006. Retrieved from http://www.ibal.ie/_images/gallery/high-res/PlasticBagChart.jpg

What are the effects of the production and consumption of plastic bags on the environment?

            Research every day has demonstrated how the rapid increase of plastic bag production has taken a toll on the environment. It has been documented visually how due to plastic bags, waterways have been clogged, landscapes are littered, and wildlife is endangered (Food Marketing Institute, 2008). With up to 1,000 years to degrade, plastic bags have been accumulating and have become the second-most common type of ocean reuse, after cigarette butts (Facts About the Plastic Bag Pandemic, 2008). Even after being degraded, plastic bags are said to leave toxic waste, effecting wildlife (Facts About the Plastic Bag Pandemic, 2008).

            It has been proven that 10 percent of the world's plastic ends up in the ocean, then 70 percent of that ends up in the ocean floor where it wont degrade (Facts About the Plastic Bag Pandemic, 2006). Various organizations around the world have put together advertisements that bring awareness about the impact of plastic bags on marine life. Animal Planet has created an add to reinterpret reality and bring awareness about the impact that plastic bag pollution is having on marine wildlife. 

Figure 2. The figure above is an ad composed to support biodegradable products while bringing awareness about marine life pollution across the world. Reprinted from "Help save their planet." by Animal Planet. ND. Retrieved from http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Ump4ogbzqMc/TCja5LOKSCI/AAAAAAAAAqE/hzIRmAm1ZDg/s1600/wallpaper_jellyfish.jpg

            The Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry have found in their research that animals who have ingested polychlorinated biphenyls, a plastic bag organic pollutant also known as PCB, have developed various health problems. The most common effects have been liver damage, anemia, skin conditions, and ultimately death (Facts about the Plastic Bag Pandemic, 2008).

The California Coastal Commission in San Francisco has been concerned with marine life as well, but have been worried primarily with the so-called Great Pacific Garbage patch. According to the California Coastal Commission, the trash stew is 80 percent plastic and weighs around 3.5 tons (Giant garbage patch floating in pacific, 2007). the giant pile of floating trash is also know to be twice the size of Texas (Giant garbage patch floating in pacific, 2007). It has been floating in the pacific ocean between Hawaii and San Francisco since the 1950's, and has been growing at a brisk rate ever since (Giant garbage patch floating in pacific, 2007). Officials at the California Coastal Commission have been advising people to stop using plastic bags and switch to canvas bags, since the majority of the garbage patch is composed of plastic bags (Giant garbage patch floating in pacific, 2007).

Can plastic bags be recycled, if not, what are some alternatives?

            Plastic bags can be recycled, and due to new technology, they are now being used for various things. The American Plastics Council has been in support with U.S retail customers to encourage plastic bag recycling, which have been in high demand from construction companies in Virginia, in order to use them in building materials (Roach, 2003). In other states recycling has been imposed as well. California has passed the Plastic Bag Recycling Act of 2006 to insure that supermarkets are doing something to recycle and help recycle plastic bags (Food Marketing Institute, 2008). Progressive Bag Affiliates have also started to initiate programs that help business to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastic bags (Food Marketing Institute, 2008).

            Plastic bags have also been altered and are now being created biodegradable, making them more efficient when it comes to resources. According to United Kingdom reports, recycled plastic bags use two-thirds less energy is consumed, 90 percent less water is used, and two-and-one-half times less carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere than virgin plastic bags (Food Marketing Institute, 2008). There has recently been two types of "green" plastic bags that manufactures have introduced. The first is made of biodegradable plastic, it consists of cornstarch, soy beans, and other plant-based materials (Food Marketing Institute, 2008). The second type is degradable plastic which contains resin-based and manufactured with a chemical additive to increase the degradation rate (Food Marketing Institute, 2008). Since neither of these bags can be recycled, companies have provided special composting facilities where biodegradable bags can be processed quicker (Food Marketing Institute, 2008).

            In the meantime, while plastic bag recycling grows, markets are offering another alternative, canvas bags. BBC reports that 50 towns and villages across Britain have been encouraged to exchange their plastic bags for bags from natural materials such as canvas or cotton (Call for Island-wide plastic ban, 2008). Universities have also began implementing programs that encourage students to make the change. In Texas Christian University, the sociology department a new green initiative called the Purple Bag Program (Schams, 2008). In this program, the sociology department distributes non-toxic, eco-friendly canvas bags to students hoping to create a sense of recycling (Schams, 2008).

Conclusion

            The impact that plastic bags had on the environment and society brought much awareness. Solutions have been proposed all over the world and seem to be catching on. Ireland was the first to impose a tax on the consumption of plastic bags, ever since, Australia and Britain have been inspired to do something similar (Roach, 2003). The recycling has also caught on to students, Texas Christian University has handed out over 1,000 bags in order to promote plastic bag waste (Schams, 2008). Now, due to all the action that is taking place, a growing market for recycled plastic is in existence, something that was unheard of 15 years ago (Food Marketing Institute, 2008). Plastic bag recycling can only bring good things, a better environment and an increase in economy. Recycled plastic bags are worth around $400 per ton, increasing recycling brings a viable opportunity for food retailers (Food Marketing Institute, 2008). Increasing plastic bag recycling may require a great amount of strategies, but only good outcomes are visible. With much anti-plastic bag support from the world, change will be waiting right around the corner.

References

Call for Island-wide plastic ban.(2008). Retrieved March 20, 2011, from

            http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/jersey/7248814.stm

Facts About The Plastic Bag Pandemic.(2011). Retrieved March 20, 2011, from

            http://www.reuseit.com/learn-more/top-facts/plastic-bag-facts

Food Marketing Institute.(2008). Plastic Grocery Bags-Challenges and Opportunities. Retrieved March 20, 2011, from http://www.fmi.org/docs/media/bg/Plastic_Bag_Backgrounder.pdf

Giant garbage patch floating in Pacific.(2007). Retrieved March 22, 2011, from

            http://www.physorg.com/news112248742.html

"Help save their planet." ND. [Figure]. Animal Planet. Retrieved from             http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Ump4ogbzqMc/TCja5LOKSCI/AAAAAAAAAqE/hzIRmAm            1ZDg/s1600/wallpaper_jellyfish.jpg

O'Murchu, S. (2003). Irish take lead with plastic bag levy. MSNBC NEWS. Retrieved March 23,   2011, from http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3070942/ns/us_news-environment/

“Plastic Bags Sold 2002-2006.” (2006). [Figure]. The Anti Litter League.  Retrieved from             http://www.ibal.ie/_images/gallery/high-res/PlasticBagChart.jpg

Roach, J.(2003). Are Plastic Grocery Bags Sacking the Environment? National Geographic          News. Retrieved March 22, 2011, from             http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/09/0902_030902_plasticbags.html

Schams, C.(2008). Purple canvas bags to provide eco-friendly alternative to paper or plastic.         Retrieved March 24, 2011, from http://www.tcudailyskiff.com/news/purple-canvas-bags-      to-provide-eco-friendly-alternative-to-paper-or-plastic-1.2288498

Survey.(2011). [Custom Report]. Retrieved March 24, 2011, from Online Web Survey.