What are the Pros and Cons of Banning Plastic Bags?

 


The Arguments for and Against a Plastic Bag Ban

Isn't it true that every argument has two sides? When the benefits of imposing a plastic bag ban are weighed against the drawbacks, one thing becomes clear: there is no compelling reason to oppose a ban on disposable plastic bags. The reality is that, while plastic bags are recyclable, just a small percentage of them end up in a recycling container. Reusable bags manufactured of polypropylene (pp) use post-industrial/pre-consumer recycled materials that are reused.

Most plastic bags wind up in landfills or as litter, and no matter how the numbers are tallied, plastic bags do not degrade safely, and picking up litter is expensive. People and organisations opposed to banning plastic bags attempt to downplay the negative and devastating implications of these findings. Most of the arguments advanced by those who oppose plastic bag bans are counterarguments to genuine realities that must be addressed before enacting a ban.

Pros of Plastic Bag Bans

·    Plastic bag restrictions benefit the economy: Bans on plastic bags stimulate sales for reusable bag makers and lead to more job possibilities.

·    The elimination of plastic bags lowers the cost of items because stores must factor in the cost of disposable bags into their prices.

·    Plastic bags are not biodegradable, and when they become litter, they pollute the oceans, rivers, farmlands, cities, and neighbourhoods. Bag bans result in reduced garbage and pollution.

·    Picking up litter costs the government money; outlawing plastic bags will minimise litter and allow tax monies to be spent on more important things.

·    Marine life will benefit: Marine species frequently confuse plastic bags for jellyfish or plankton, causing them to consume the waste and grow ill or perish.

·    Drainage infrastructures operate more efficiently: Plastic litter frequently jams drainage systems, resulting in unnecessary flooding.

·    Plastic bag bans lower the need for petroleum: By prohibiting the use of plastic bags, we reduce our reliance on a scarce nonrenewable resource.

·    Reduce mosquito populations: Discarded plastic bags gather rainwater and serve as a breeding ground for mosquitos, some of which may carry the West Nile Virus or the Triple E Virus.

 

Let's Get The Facts Straight!

Opponents of bag bans contend that, while litter does contribute to the deaths of thousands of marine animals each year, blaming plastic bags is unfair. The "plastic bags aren't the only ones to blame" argument continues by stating that lost or abandoned fishing gear is also to blame for the wrongful death of marine species, therefore a plastic bag ban does not address the entire problem. This "all or nothing" logic is not only flawed but also short-sighted.

Just because there is a diverse range of garbage in our oceans does not imply we should sit back and do nothing to address the plastic problem. Partially resolving an issue with products like eco-friendly reusable bags eventually contributes to a larger solution.

Opponents have also asserted that cleaning up plastic bag litter is not that expensive and that communities claiming financial benefits as a result of imposing a ban are not fairly portraying the figures. To that, we respond that no matter how much money is spent on litter removal, it is excessive. When funds are diverted toward litter removal, there is less money available to repair infrastructure and establish communities.

Who is the driving force behind the opposition to plastic bag bans?

It is also worth mentioning that those who oppose plastic bag restrictions are frequently employed by plastic bag makers or industry lobbyists. Plastic bag makers want to continue in business and oppose efforts to force them to adapt their business model to one that is more sustainable or go out of business.

 Also Read: How to Buy the BEST Reusable Bags.

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