International Plastic Bag Free Day is dedicated to heightening awareness about these and very real and pressing issues brought about by this most popular of disposable carrying devices. We are reminded that those bags we pick up from the retailers are used for an incredibly short time, usually under 25 minutes, and are then disposed of. They may pass out of our thinking then, but they do not pass out of our world. Plastic bags remain in the world for anywhere from 100-500 years before finally decaying completely, and have a profound impact upon our environment as a result. I was doing well until my Bag-for-life blew away
The volunteer litter pickers in our village were criticised last week because all the litter they had collected ( mostly plastic) was being put into PLASTIC bin bags
All the major supermarkets here went plastic bag (one of use type) free last year. I'm still using up the lot I'd stockpiled as poo bags when we walk the dogs. I love the looks I get when I pull them out at the checkout.
... and the "recycled" plastic goes to the Far East (& Africa?) where it is only minimally processed We need to use small recycled, reuseable and recyclable cardboard/ corn fibre/etc boxes for shopping. Cotton is extremely water intensive to grow and process. Anyone know whether the "biodegradable plastic" bags are any better overall? (as opposed to just breaking down quicker)
Of course I do, I old not senile. They've been emptied, washed, dried and put back in the cupboard. We oldies can teach these young 'uns a thing or two about recycling.
True though, ain’t it? We’ve irreversibly farked up this world. Too many people have come accustomed to living a ‘easy and hassle(ish) free life, And too many people won’t change. In fact, there’s too many people to convince to change, isn’t there? I bet your next new phone or device or even campervan part will come in plastic wrapping,
So where do I sign up for my International free plastic bag? Don’t really need one, but a freebie’s a freebie.
