There are an insane amount of cons to the manufacturing and
use of plastic bags. To name a few:
- They are made from raw components of oil, which
is a limited resource.
- According to studies they take at least a few
hundred years to decompose; therefore, they consume space in landfills.
- When disposed of in the oceans, they are often
introduced to the sea creature food chains, which can ultimately lead to their
deaths.
While these are only a few cons of plastic bags, they are
already alarming facts. They have too many negative aspects that hurt our
environment. That is why it is important for people to be aware of their
harmful attributes and to take action against using them.
One state that is paving the way for the elimination of
plastic bag use is Hawaii. Thanks to local grassroots movements, all four
County Councils of Hawaii were able to pass legislation outlawing the usage of
plastic bags at checkout counters starting January 17th. Instead
consumers may go for paper bags or bring their own reusable bags. While plastic
bags will still be in use for products such as nuts, fish, and meats, it is
still a huge step in the right direction. It makes sense that Hawaii is the
first state to pass this law being that they are more exposed to the
adversities plastic bags can have on marine life. We at Microempowering applaud
them and urge all of you to contact your local council members expressing your
concerns on the usage of plastic bags.