HUMAN IMPACTS LAB

A. THINK ABOUT YOUR OPINION ABOUT THE USE OF PLASTIC BAGS FOR MOST PURPOSES.  ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS.

1.  Why do you think this way?  Have you ever read any scientific studies on environmental impact of different types of "carry bags?"

I have never read any studies on the environmental impact of plastic bags.  As far as my personal opinion of plastic bag use, I think that it would be better if we didn't use plastic bags as much or at all.  I am the first to admit that I use them because of their availability.  However, I do not have a preference one way or the other for them.  If paper is all that is available, I wouldn't miss plastic bags.

2.  Does your thinking mostly reflect that of most of the people in your circle of friends and family?

I think that most of my friends and family thinking similarly to me.  I know of a few people that always bring their own personal bags while shopping, but many do what I do and keep their plastic bags to reuse in some other way.

3.  In what type of bag do you usually carry your merchandise home?  Why?

If I am being honest, it is almost always plastic.  Simply because that is what a majority of stores offer.  But, I do think that paper or cloth would absolutely be better.

B.  READ THE ARTICLES UNDER THE "ARTICLES IN FAVOR OF BAN ON PLASTIC BAGS" HEADING.  DO FURTHER RESEARCH, If YOU ARE INTERESTED. IF YOU WRITE USING OTHER SOURCES, REMEMBER TO CITE THEM.

1.  Summarize at least three arguments (three total) made in these sources in support of banning plastic bags in most circumstances.

a.  It costs people more money to use "free" plastic bags than to use other non-plastic bags.  This is because the cost to clean up after plastic bags have been used is extremely high.  Plastic bags jam up recycling machinery, which then cost money to be fixed, and are expensive to remove from the environment.

b.  Plastic bags are also incredibly bad for the environment.  They break down in the oceans and sea turtles can mistake them for jelly fish and try to consume them.

c.  Plastic bags do not have to be utilized.  With so many alternatives, such as paper bags and cloth bags, they are really more for convenience.

2.  Does this information reinforce or contradict your opinion? How?

I think it reinforces it.  I know that plastic bags are bad for the environment and costly to clean the environment as well. However, I did not know that they were costly to recycle too.

3.  How is the reasoning supported scientifically?  Give two examples?

a) The first article states that Californians pay an estimated 428 million per year on clean up litter in their water.  Between 8%-25% of that is just for cleaning up plastic bags.

b) The first article also states that 267 species have been negatively affected because of plastic bag use.

4.  List two exceptions to the plastic ban in Austin.

a) Single use plastic bags are allowed for prepared foods were moisture damage can occur.

b) Bags used for laundry, dry cleaning, door-hanger and newspapers.

C.  READ THE ARTICLES UNDER THE "ARTICLES AGAINST BAN ON PLASTIC BAGS" HEADING.  DO FURTHER RESEARCH, IF YOUARE INTERESTED.  IF YOU WRITE USING OTHER SOURCES, REMEMBER TO CITE THEM.

1.  Summarize at least five arguments (five total) made in these sources in support of "banning the ban" in most circumstances.

a)  Plastic bags have a much lower carbon footprint if reusable bags are not actually reused.

b)  Paper bags require more water consumption and contribute to declining forests.

c)  Paper bags contribute to higher green house gases than plastic bags.

d)  There is a movement toward the use of alternative plastic.  These bags are biodegradable and compostable, unlike their traditional plastic counterparts.

e)  To balance out the impact of a lightweight plastic bag, a personal would need to use their reusable cotton bag daily for one year or use their paper bags at least three times before disposing of it.

2.  How is the reasoning supported scientifically?  Give two examples.

a)  The Scottish government provided a two years long study on plastic bag use.  The report shows the numerical data of plastic bags vs paper bags.

b)  A study from "ULS" concluded that plastic bags consume 71% less energy to generate than paper bags.

3.  Explain how this information reinforces or contradict your opinion/view.  Give an example.

Holy cow! I was kind of surprised to find this information.  I initially thought that their was overwhelming evidence that paper or reusable bags were better than plastic bags.  However, I can see the argument for plastic.  The difference in green house gas emission was a surprising fact to learn.

D.  READ OR SKIM THE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH PAPER.  BE SURE TO READ THE SUMMARY AND STUDY FIGURES 5.3 AND 5.6.

1)  Summarize six findings of the United Kindom Environmental Agency Publication.

a)  Reusing bags as many times as possible is the best practice for helping the environment.

b) Cloth bags contribute to global warming more than plastic bags.

c)  Recycling and composting only contribute a negligible amount to reducing global warming.

d) How a bag is produced effects the resources used and impact on the environment.

e) Reusing plastic bags as bin liners is more beneficial than recycling plastic bags.

f) "Transport, secondary packaging and end-of-life management generally have a minimal influence on their performance" regarding the environmental impact of carrier bags.

2. Site three items that surprised you.

a) That reusing bags as garbage liners is more beneficial than recycling them.

b) That recycling and composting do not contribute that much to global warming - I am disappointed in that.

c) Cloth bags are worse for global warming than plastic - still very surprised by this!

E.  REVISIT ALL ABOUT BAGS, BAGS AROUND THE WORLD.

1.  In your own words, state four countries' (besides US) bag usage.

a) Belgium -  Belgium taxes all of their plastic bags, plastic films, aluminum foil and disposable cutlery. All revenue is used for recycling.

b) Ireland - Ireland taxed all of their plastic bags in 2002. This reduced the number of bags used by a whopping 94%! The tax has increased twice since.  However there is a catch.  Because citizens began using paper bags they also needed to by "kitchen catchers".  And this increased the amount of plastic in the waste system.

c) Spain - Spain imposed a tax on plastic bags to reduce their deficit in 2010 and was increased again in 2012.

d) Taiwan - In 2001 Taiwan enforced a ban on plastic bags in food service.  However, the ban backfired, because it created an increase in paper waste which required more trucks to dispose of it.  This increased green house gasses and created "a mountain of waste".  Also, consumer were unhappy with the paper products so the ban was rescinded in 2006.