I. Why are plastic bags so common?
- Because they are very useful in the daily life. They are not expensive, and they can be used in different ways. They are easy to carry and store.
II. In what other ways is plastic used?
- bottles, candy wrappers, glasses, trashcans, plates, containers, chairs, toys, balloons, etc.
- bottles, candy wrappers, glasses, trashcans, plates, containers, chairs, toys, balloons, etc.
III. What are the benefits of plastic bags?
- Compared to paper grocery bags, plastic grocery bags consume 40 percent less energy, generate 80 percent less solid waste, produce 70 percent fewer atmospheric emissions, and release up to 94 percent fewer waterborne wastes, according to the federation. Their price is very low, so that benefits most of the companies, stores, etc. Also they offer you the comodity to carry heavy stuff, or just to organize your things. You can carry many things in one or two bags.
- Compared to paper grocery bags, plastic grocery bags consume 40 percent less energy, generate 80 percent less solid waste, produce 70 percent fewer atmospheric emissions, and release up to 94 percent fewer waterborne wastes, according to the federation. Their price is very low, so that benefits most of the companies, stores, etc. Also they offer you the comodity to carry heavy stuff, or just to organize your things. You can carry many things in one or two bags.
IV. What are the dangers of plastic bags?
- That if we don´t recicle them, they contaminate a lot. The mayority of the bags end up in the ocean, killing hundreds of animals. They are toxic for the enviroment, and the ecosistems.
- That if we don´t recicle them, they contaminate a lot. The mayority of the bags end up in the ocean, killing hundreds of animals. They are toxic for the enviroment, and the ecosistems.
V. What has been done so far?
- San Francisco and Oakland have outlawed the use of plastic bags in large grocery stores and pharmacies, permitting only paper bags. In Bangladesh, the plastic bags have been banned since 2002. In Ireland the use of bags has diminished a 90%, since they established a 22 cent tax. Only 1% of plastic bags are being recycled worldwide, so other places are considering to act against them too.
VI. Has it been successful? Why or why not?
- No, because the recycling that has been done is minimum. Although any people and organizations are trying to do something about it, they seem to be very few compared to the rest. You can't see a big improve, in fact it is almost nothing. And even though we want to recycle or get rid of all that amount of plastic bags, the plastic isn't going anywhere. It will always remain in our planet, but we can reduce the damages and the plastic.
Read the following article, and answer the following questions.
a. What are some of the potential benefits of charging fees for and/or banning plastic bags?
- encourage people to stop using plastic bags.
a. What are some of the potential benefits of charging fees for and/or banning plastic bags?
- encourage people to stop using plastic bags.
- use reusable bags
- reduce pollution- help the enviroment.
b. What are some of the potential drawbacks of such programs?
b. What are some of the potential drawbacks of such programs?
- plastic bag makers will be desemployed
- the national economy could decline.
- "a public backlash if they were to raise fees in an economic downturn."
c. Which benefits and drawbacks seem the most compelling? Why?
- One of the biggest benefits would be encouraging people to make a difference in the world. Make concious of the situation and the issue that we are creating if we do not stop polluting. If people start reacting in a good way towards this, we will eventually have a cleaner and safer enviroment. We need to take care of the earth for the future of our kids, and for ourselves.
- The most compelling drawbacks are the risk of a downturn on economy and desemployment for plastic bag makers. By putting a fee on platic bags, the production will decrease and less workers will be needed for the job. We are risking someone elses work.
d. Would you support a local law charging fees for (or banning) plastic bags? Why or why not?
- Yes, I would. It would be a good thing to do, because we could consider alternatives that we don't consider right now. The majority of the people are so stingy that they would stop using plastic bags just because of the money. We could use market bags, knapsacks, and other things that can be used over and over again to carry our things. This method can be called recycling, and by doing this we are fighting against dangerous consequences.
Investigate what has been done in Mexico in relation to banning plastic bags.
1. Do you agree with this new law? Why or why not?
- I do agree, because it will decrease the amount of daily wage created by plastic in Mexico.
2. What has been done so far?
- A new law has been established which prohibits the consume of non-degradable plastic bags in all stores, including supermarkets and drycleaners. Food companies, such as Bimbo, has also decided to use degradable plastic bags.
3. What needs to be done to enforce such a law?
- Consequences such as 36 hours in jail, or a maximum fine of 20,000 times the minimum daily wage will be enforced for those who decide to brake the law.
4. What campaigns would you suggest?
- Pretty much publicity does everything. Communication, advertisement, commercials, etc. If people start spreading the voice, they will understand what is going on and they'll feel motivated to make a change.
1. Do you agree with this new law? Why or why not?
- I do agree, because it will decrease the amount of daily wage created by plastic in Mexico.
2. What has been done so far?
- A new law has been established which prohibits the consume of non-degradable plastic bags in all stores, including supermarkets and drycleaners. Food companies, such as Bimbo, has also decided to use degradable plastic bags.
3. What needs to be done to enforce such a law?
- Consequences such as 36 hours in jail, or a maximum fine of 20,000 times the minimum daily wage will be enforced for those who decide to brake the law.
4. What campaigns would you suggest?
- Pretty much publicity does everything. Communication, advertisement, commercials, etc. If people start spreading the voice, they will understand what is going on and they'll feel motivated to make a change.
