So, you’re one of the good guys — you reuse, recycle, reduce and repurpose whenever possible. When you must use a plastic bag, you make sure it’s biodegradable.
The good news is you’re definitely on the right environmental path. The bad news is, according to a recent report in the World Economic Forum, most of the biodegradable bags fail to degrade, even after years in the ground or the ocean.
Biodegradable is one thing; compostable is another. Be careful not to confuse the two.
Microorganisms can break down biodegradable products over time, but toxic residue in the form of nanoparticles may remain even when the product is no longer visible. On the other hand, compostable items decompose, leaving no toxic residue.
Trying to limit your use of plastics is a wonderful step to help save the planet, but at times, it can seem like a hopeless endeavor. Plastics are everywhere — even if you practice due diligence you still can have a hard time avoiding them.
That’s because packages made of plastic are prolific, and one of the greatest sources of global plastic pollution. About 8 million pieces of plastic are dumped into the ocean every day, with much of it made up of plastic food packaging.
Since plastics take hundreds of years to decompose, it doesn’t take a scientist to figure out that when fish and marine life eat those plastics — whether whole or as nanoparticles — and we, in turn, eat sea food, it’s harmful to all involved. The average person ingests about 100 plastic particles each year from shellfish alone!
When it comes to plastic grocery bags, many stores have recycling bins on site where you can drop off plastic bags. But if you’re throwing plastic bags into those bins, you’re wasting your time. The bags create havoc with recycling sorting machines, and are simply thrown in the trash, which goes into landfills and the oceans.
The problem goes even further, though: While grocery and merchandise bags may be the reigning vampires of plastic, plastic is also found in bags you might think are Earth-friendly, such as tea bags, which are neither biodegradable nor compostable, and should never be added directly to soil or compost.
To end the destruction, environmentalists have, for years, been sounding alarms regarding the Earth’s plastic pollution problem, leading to consumer awareness, boycotts and demand for change.
The good news is it’s working.
For example, California, which sometimes seems to be light years ahead of the rest of the U.S. when it comes to the environment, has banned single-use, plastic merchandise bags. The largest grocery store chain in the U.S. — Kroger — has pledged to do away with its plastic bags completely by 2025. And, Starbucks and Marriott Internationals have announced plans to eliminate plastic straws.
In the meantime, your best bet is to simply switch to reusable bags.
Reducing plastic packaging can also be done, but as companies continue to drag their feet, you can reduce your use of plastic by making a few simple changes:
- Carry a supply of reusable bags and other containers for groceries, produce and retail purchases and commit to using them for every purchase. If you forget and leave the bags in your vehicle, ask the clerk to place the unbagged items in your cart and bag them at your car.
- Shop coop and bulk stores that encourage you to bring your own containers for bulk items like honey, maple syrup, nut butters, grains, olive oil, spices and more.
- If you’re the creative type who likes to repurpose, there are many YouTube videos detailing how to make no-sew, reusable bags out of old T-shirts.