| By :
Mark Etinger
As the general population continues to become more consciousness about protecting our environment and maximizing the amounts we recycle, it becomes commonplace for a particular item to become an "Environmental Villain." In this case, we're referencing plastic bags. Whether its poly mailers, newspaper bags, bread bags, or any variation of self seal bags, the fact is that many of these plastic variations are looked down upon by many environmental activists….. and typically for the wrong reasons. That's why this article will look to set the record straight when it comes to the world of plastic bags. The biggest myth about plastic bags is that they are being banned across the nation. While it is true that some states have developed legislature that would remove plastic bags from grocery stores, pharmacies, and convenience stores (North Carolina has banned them in its Outer Banks). The truth is that a majority of states, instead of prohibiting, are looking for ways to recycle. According to the Progressive Bag Alliance, New Jersey, Connecticut, and certain cities in California have all begun to block legislation banning plastic bags, "and instead are now looking to implement plastic bag recycling programs." Another popular myth to believe is that by using paper bags, you're supporting the planet more than someone who would choose to use plastic bags. The truth is that "paper or plastic" are practically equal when it comes to natural resources being used. According to a Plastic Recycling Directory by the Society of Plastics Industry, the energy needed to create a Safeway Plastic Bag is 594 BTUs. The amount of energy used to create a Safeway Paper Bag, meanwhile, is over quadruple that, at 2,511 BTUs. Not to mention, paper bags create a "double-whammy" when it comes to the environment, as their production leads to the destruction of trees, which coincidentally absorb the greenhouse gasses their manufacturing creates. Another myth that circulates around environmental "green" groups is that the creation of plastic bags consumes massive amounts of crude oil. Some groups even go as far as to suggest the banning of plastic bags would be the key to ending America's dependence on foreign oil. The truth of the matter is that all plastics… including plastic bags…. are manufactured with byproducts of petroleum products, and most plastics in the US are made with natural gas. While some oil does end up being converted into plastic (all plastics, not just self seal poly bags), it is less than 5% of the oil used in America. Therefore, banning plastic bags would reduce America's oil-usage by an almost unnoticeable amount. This is in sharp contrast to the amount of oil that is refined into fuel, which is how a massive majority of oil in this country is used. To put it in perspective: More oil is used as fuel for transportation an industry in the United States A DAY than is used to create plastic bags IN A YEAR. And as we dip into the hot summer months, and vacationers enjoy those sunny beaches, a myth that often circulates is that plastic bags are the most common garbage on the beach. The truth is that plastic bags accounted for a mere 6% of the total litter collected by volunteers for the Ocean Conservancy's Coastal Cleanup in 2008.
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