Did you know that between 500 billion and a trillion plastic bags are consumed each year? China, Ireland, South Africa, Rwanda and many more countries have already moved towards reducing plastic bags. Why can’t we?
Plastic bags present a serious litter problem because they are lightweight and hard to contain. They blow around and get stuck in trees and in waterways. Plastic bags are:
· Made from petroleum, a nonrenewable resource.
· Non-biodegradable, breaking into smaller particles but never fully disappearing.
· Mistaken for food by marine animals (particularly sea turtles).
· One of the most numerous items of litter, along with cigarette butts and Styrofoam.
· A major part of waste in our landfills.
What you can do:
· Bring your own cloth bags to grocery stores and other stores.
· Ask for a paper bag.
· Ask your merchant to promote cloth bags.
· Encourage development of bags from natural products.
· Write your elected officials.
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