Plastic bag ban – is it REALLY eco friendly?
Following Chandigarh, the state of Punjab too is considering a complete ban on plastic bags. While Chandigarh has already gone ahead with the ban on plastic bags, the Punjab assembly debated a resolution on ban of plastic bags last week.
The issue remains – will plastic bags be replaced by paper bags?
As has been the experience in Chandigarh, paper bags which had virtually disappeared from the scene have staged a massive comeback. By all standards, Paper bags are less eco friendly than plastic bags. Consider this
(1) Paper bags consume 4 times more energy during production than plastic bags.
(2) Paper bags produce 70 % more air pollutants than plastic bags.
(3) Paper bags produce 50 times more water pollutants than plastic bags.
(4) A kilo of paper requires 85 times more energy for recycling than a kilo of plastic.
(5) Paper bags weigh more plastic bags and consume more space in landfills.
(6) Finally, paper bags are not being decomposed because modern urban land fills at least in the US are designed in such a manner that they get little water and light. Hence most paper bags do not decompose.
A detailed comparative analysis was conducted by The Washington Post and it can be found here.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/graphic/2007/10/03/GR2007100301385.html
I do not blame the policy makers for joining the “ban plastic bag” bandwagon. Almost 11 years ago, the newspaper where I was working asked me to run a “kick plastic” campaign seeking a ban on plastic bags. In my youthful enthusiasm, I wrote a three part series. It took the city administration a decade to ban the plastic bag.
However, by 2009, greater research and for me greater access to such research has ensured that I am not enamoured by the ban on plastic bag if it is replaced by paper.
But what is unfortunate is that policy makers, both officers and political class are advocating a ban on plastic bag despite evidence to the contrary.
So, what’s actually the solution? I was aware of the majority of the arguments you mentioned, and I agree that paper bags aren’t an environmental solution. I do believe, however, that plastic bags should be banned.
A pilot project announced in my city for collecting plastic bags for recycling led me to publishing an opinion article since I believe this option (which is actually, even less feasible than others) is worse.
I think the key to solution, like in many other environmental/consumption dilemmas, is simply avoiding the use of plastic bags, and instead using multiple-use bags – these can (maybe should) be made of recycled materials. Instead of using tens of the disposable thin plastic bags, using one (sustainable) cloth bag is easy, convenient and much more eco-friendly than any other solution that is practically more reputation-friendly.
You gave the solution yourself.
The reason for this post was the rush to ban plastic bags among the policy makers in almost all states of India. They just do not seem to realize that paper bags are also harmful
The realize this argument is about banning plastic bags, but oxo-biodegradable plastic bags are a good alternative.
From what I have read, during the manufacturing process, an oxo-bioodegradable additive is used. This additive is blended into the plastic during the extrusion process, so, it is less harmful for the environment.
I particularly like the brand EconoGreen from Jig-A-Loo. Their new line of plastic bags are made from 100% recycled plastic, are 100% oxodegradable and 100% recyclable.
You can get more info about them there: http://www.jigaloo.com/ca/e_products_econogreen.php