Plastic Carrier Bags the Great Debate
The rising tide of disapproval that has developed over the past couple of years toward the polythene carrier bag is now reaching fever pitch in the UK.
With whole towns banning them or at least introducing a charge intended to encourage everyone to reuse bags or purchase the ubiquitous, "bag for life".
Research took me to the very informative site, reusablebags.
com where you cannot help but be staggered at our annual consumption of plastic bags displayed on the counter on their header.
No right thinking person can possibly dispute the arguments put forward that they are, at best, simply ending up in land fill sites, or at worst blowing around in the wind littering up the country and polluting the seas? But what is the alternative for those of us that would like to do the right thing? Being an independent retailer with an online store we are actively seeking an alternative though thus far there seems to be a compromise to be made which ever way you jump.
It is my understanding that paper bags and carriers are not the answer that they might appear to be.
Because whilst you can be reassured that the trees used are taken from sustainable sources, the pulping and paper making processes involve the use of chemicals that ultimately pollute.
Another solution offered is that of Jute.
These make very robust reusable bags and many local companies have opted for these having their logo printed on them as they might have done with their old plastic bags.
Again the sustainable argument is put forward along with the added reassurance of being able to by, "Fair Trade" products, so that you can also feel confident that there has been no exploitation in the production process.
The concern here is that as most Jute production is on the India sub continent, importing into the UK has an inevitable substantial carbon foot print.
Cotton growing, I am told, could be responsible for as much as 70-80% of the herbicide and pesticide usage in the world, which again can only result in pollution.
The stylish yet practical, large range of hemp bags that we sell can boast no need for such herbicides and pesticides.
The cannabis sativa grows exactly as one of the colloquial terms used for its recreational drug cousins describes, "grass".
(See, "What is Hemp", article posted 13/11/2007) Therefore its growth is far less polluting.
Once again though there is the carbon foot print of importation to consider.
Even nylon, "bags for life" are presented as a better alternative just by virtue of its hard wearing properties making it the longest lasting reusable bag, despite the energy used in their production.
All of these alternatives have their merits and will all contribute to the reduction in use of the plastic bags which has to be a good thing, but they are not without their own compromises.
With all the opinions there are on this subject I would have thought that someone would have done a definitive study by now.
So that people in our situation can make an informed decision on the best option given their trade and geographical location.
Any advice gratefully received.
With whole towns banning them or at least introducing a charge intended to encourage everyone to reuse bags or purchase the ubiquitous, "bag for life".
Research took me to the very informative site, reusablebags.
com where you cannot help but be staggered at our annual consumption of plastic bags displayed on the counter on their header.
No right thinking person can possibly dispute the arguments put forward that they are, at best, simply ending up in land fill sites, or at worst blowing around in the wind littering up the country and polluting the seas? But what is the alternative for those of us that would like to do the right thing? Being an independent retailer with an online store we are actively seeking an alternative though thus far there seems to be a compromise to be made which ever way you jump.
It is my understanding that paper bags and carriers are not the answer that they might appear to be.
Because whilst you can be reassured that the trees used are taken from sustainable sources, the pulping and paper making processes involve the use of chemicals that ultimately pollute.
Another solution offered is that of Jute.
These make very robust reusable bags and many local companies have opted for these having their logo printed on them as they might have done with their old plastic bags.
Again the sustainable argument is put forward along with the added reassurance of being able to by, "Fair Trade" products, so that you can also feel confident that there has been no exploitation in the production process.
The concern here is that as most Jute production is on the India sub continent, importing into the UK has an inevitable substantial carbon foot print.
Cotton growing, I am told, could be responsible for as much as 70-80% of the herbicide and pesticide usage in the world, which again can only result in pollution.
The stylish yet practical, large range of hemp bags that we sell can boast no need for such herbicides and pesticides.
The cannabis sativa grows exactly as one of the colloquial terms used for its recreational drug cousins describes, "grass".
(See, "What is Hemp", article posted 13/11/2007) Therefore its growth is far less polluting.
Once again though there is the carbon foot print of importation to consider.
Even nylon, "bags for life" are presented as a better alternative just by virtue of its hard wearing properties making it the longest lasting reusable bag, despite the energy used in their production.
All of these alternatives have their merits and will all contribute to the reduction in use of the plastic bags which has to be a good thing, but they are not without their own compromises.
With all the opinions there are on this subject I would have thought that someone would have done a definitive study by now.
So that people in our situation can make an informed decision on the best option given their trade and geographical location.
Any advice gratefully received.
Source...