The Disgusting Consequences of Plastic-Bag Bans

[Chris]

Of course there is profit in it. The plastics industry employs many people. Making a product that is innimical to the environment in this day and age is a sure recipe for anachronism.
Do people want it? Try carrying something wet in a paper bag. Try carrying a paper bag in the rain. As a retailer, try putting large, heavy items in a paper bag. There is a way to make biodegradable plastic bags and I am sure that people in general would be better served and still have an environmental solution.

I take it you're not a businessman.

[Dr. Who]

I take it you're not a businessman.

They already make biodegradable plastic bags, particularly for communities who must recycle their garbage. It doesn't mean that there is no market for paper bags, but plastic is more adaptable to things like groceries, and other heavy items. I'm sure the manufacturers of these bags are making money or they wouldn't be in business.

[Chris]

They already make biodegradable plastic bags, particularly for communities who must recycle their garbage. It doesn't mean that there is no market for paper bags, but plastic is more adaptable to things like groceries, and other heavy items. I'm sure the manufacturers of these bags are making money or they wouldn't be in business.

Then the question becomes why was it necessary to make a law to get people to buy biodegradables if they, the consumers, wanted it?

[Dr. Who]

Then the question becomes why was it necessary to make a law to get people to buy biodegradables if they, the consumers, wanted it?

Because fewer and fewer places want to take garbage. Any large municipality must take their trash somewhere, unless they decide to go with gasification plants that incinerate their garbage, but that is another discussion. Most municipalities have to truck their trash to a dump. Dump sites are much harder to come by these days, as an increasing number of rural areas don't want them. Hence a large move toward recycling. The average plastic bag will not degrade for hundreds of years unless exposed to sunlight, thus sucking up space in trash dumps. If you separate out the recylables and put the pure garbage in biodegradable bags, and also make all the superfluous bags degradable, your dump space will last longer. Trash will not increase your tax bill as quickly. Municipalities will not be left in the position of having no place to dump the trash.

[Guerilla]

Then the question becomes why was it necessary to make a law to get people to buy biodegradables if they, the consumers, wanted it?

because what's best for the planet isn't always the cheapest. I agree with dr who, people would prefer biodegradables, but it would be hard for biodegradable to compete with plastic bag industry because it's already established. It's classic mom's and pop's stores against wallmart. people want cheap and convenient.

[Chloe]

because what's best for the planet isn't always the cheapest. I agree with dr who, people would prefer biodegradables, but it would be hard for biodegradable to compete with plastic bag industry because it's already established. It's classic mom's and pop's stores against wallmart. people want cheap and convenient.

Which is why bans make for a great equalizer in my opinion

[Dr. Who]

because what's best for the planet isn't always the cheapest. I agree with dr who, people would prefer biodegradables, but it would be hard for biodegradable to compete with plastic bag industry because it's already established. It's classic mom's and pop's stores against wallmart. people want cheap and convenient.

It's only a matter of time. We as the dominant species on the planet, cannot continue to treat it like a garbage dump without eventually making the planet unhospitable to even ourselves, nevermind everything else that lives here.

[Red Green]

Which is why bans make for a great equalizer in my opinion

Next the environmentalists will complain about paper bags and deforestation .

[Chloe]

Next the environmentalists will complain about paper bags and deforestation .

i'm pretty sure most already do but ok. Deforestation is a huge problem.

[Chris]

Because fewer and fewer places want to take garbage. Any large municipality must take their trash somewhere, unless they decide to go with gasification plants that incinerate their garbage, but that is another discussion. Most municipalities have to truck their trash to a dump. Dump sites are much harder to come by these days, as an increasing number of rural areas don't want them. Hence a large move toward recycling. The average plastic bag will not degrade for hundreds of years unless exposed to sunlight, thus sucking up space in trash dumps. If you separate out the recylables and put the pure garbage in biodegradable bags, and also make all the superfluous bags degradable, your dump space will last longer. Trash will not increase your tax bill as quickly. Municipalities will not be left in the position of having no place to dump the trash.

Come on, back to the question, why are these so good they require laws for force people to use them?