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-Recycle-

Unfortunately, recycling plastic bags isn't a very good option. Currently, only about one to three percent of plastic bags get recycled. The reasons are varied, but are mostly economical- it costs more to recycle bags than the recycled product can be sold for. And even more sadly, a lot of the plastic bags that are turned in for recycling aren't actually recycled. They're often shipped to third world countries and incinerated. If you can recycle your old bags, do it- it's better than simply throwing them away- but the real solution is to produce less bags in the first place.

-Other Alternatives-

"Paper or plastic?" Many consumers once believed that paper bags were a more environmental alternative to plastic ones, but the truth is that they are just as harmful in the long run. Paper bags take four times as much energy to produce than plastic, and their manufacture causes deforestation. Better to avoid the question altogether by bringing your own.

Biodegradable bags are a recent measure introduced in some areas to try and stem the environmental damage caused by plastic bags. It is a nice idea, but there are several problems with it. Biodegradable bags and traditional bags can't be recycled together, which creates sorting problems for recyclers. Some of the biodegradable bags contain lead or cadmium, which can contaminate the soil and water as they break down. Like paper bags, they can't compete with reusable bags.

If you're still not convinced, consider this- In the time that it has taken you to read this article, more than a million plastic grocery bags have been used.

-Websites consulted-

http://www.sfgate.co m/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/ a/2007/03/28/MNGDROT5QN1.DTL

ht tp://www.resourceconservation. mb.ca/news/Policy/bags_jan08.h tml

http://www.reusablebags.com /facts.php

Learn more about this author, Muriah Summer.
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