STOP PLASTIC BAGS!!!

[maria angelica sassone]

The traditional plastic bag may have its days numbered. Its negative effects on the environment necessitate further action to take both the institutions and enterprises, and of course, consumers. Reduce their use and reuse whenever possible, replaced by mixed-use bags or biodegradable materials are some of the solutions now being developed in some countries, including Spain.

Autor: Por ALEX FERNÁNDEZ MUERZAÚltima actualización: 21 de julio de 2008
The environmental impact of plastic bags is enormous. In addition to large amounts of energy needed for their manufacture, are composed of oil-derived substances, which can take to degrade over half a century. The vast majority end up being thrown out of control, polluting both cities and natural ecosystems. At sea, their impact can be lethal for animals such as turtles, whales and dolphins that die after ingesting them. Also, screen printed bags may contain toxic metal waste.



- Picture: london -
United States and the European Union consume 80% of world production, although its usefulness in developing countries is aggravating the problem . In Spain, according Cicloplast , which represents manufacturers and distributors of bags, each citizen consumes an annual average of 238 plastic bags (more than 97,000 tonnes), of which only 10% is recycled.

Thus, an increasing number of countries that pose various measures. In addition to reducing its use, reuse, replace them with mixed-use or manufacture of biodegradable materials are presented as possible solutions.

Spanish each year consumes on average 238 plastic bags (more than 97,000 tonnes), of which only 10% is recycled
In this sense, the production of bags of bioplastic begins to be booming. In Spain, the main distribution companies have begun to adopt this type of organic materials such as plastic reusable, raffia, TNT, or potato starch. The Ministry of Environment aims for 2015 that 70% of the bags are biodegradable.

In France, a law of 2005 on Agricultural Policy in 2010 provides that all plastic bags must have this property. In addition, awareness campaigns in this country have managed to reduce by 20% the use of conventional bags.

For their part, several companies working to develop and improve these materials. In Spain, the subsidiary of Sphere , Europe and fourth largest producer worldwide of plastic bags produced for one and a half bags of potato starch with a system developed by two companies of the group.

In Italy, companies Novamont and Coldiretti have agreed to implement a system for manufacturing biodegradable plastics from corn and sunflower that covers the entire production process. Its makers assume that a bag costs between eight and nine cents, compared with five cents of the traditional bag. However, note that their price will come down to wider use, and remember their ecological benefits.

In Canada, the company EPI (Environmental Plastic Additives) has developed an additive called TDPA (Totally Degradable Plastic Additives), which allows conventional plastics become biodegradable. In this case, the manufacturing cost of the bags is 10% larger. In France, the so-called bag " Néosac "uses a similar technology developed by several French manufacturers, which is distributed in several shops and supermarkets Gauls. Its cost is also somewhat higher than the classic: between 25 and 30% more.

Collectability and prohibit
In other countries facing more drastic measures to curb its use. For example, in Sweden or Germany to collect the bags are widespread , while consumers are more aware and tend to reuse them or use cloth bags.

Elsewhere have chosen the path of taxes . Ireland has implemented the "plustax", which requires the payment of fifteen cents per bag to use for consumers. In Hong Kong, a rate similar to the Irish environment, forced to pay for each bag about 50 cents.



- Image: sanja Gjenero -
The prohibition of use is another measure that is beginning to gain currency . China, which consumes about 3,000 million plastic bags a day, has banned ultra-thin, following the example of countries such as Ireland, Rwanda and Bangladesh. Italy in 2007 approved a law to ban non-biodegradable plastic bags from 2010, although the European Commission has argued that EU Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste.

In the United States, San Francisco is the first city in this country forbid, progressively, an idea that is being considered in other cities like Boston or Berkeley. Los Angeles has chosen to substitute recycled and biodegradable. For its part, in the English town of Devon have eliminated them from business premises and offer bags instead of paper or fabric.

In short, consumers are key in this process , making it essential to adopt customs and minimize their use, reuse shopping bags folded bringing them unexpected, and better if they are fabric, paper or biodegradable materials. There are also other ways to transport the purchases, such as cardboard boxes, baskets or carts.

Reusable bags too 'fashion'
Some Europeans believe that fashion designers and ecology are compatible. They have therefore launched a number of reusable grocery bags to be trendy, with prices that will not disappoint the most elitist. For example, the model "Silky Pop" of Hermes, made of calfskin, costs around 711 euros, a nylon bag of Consuelo Castiglioni costs around 625 euros, while to buy one of Stella McCartney organic canvas have to pay a 367 euros.

However, reusable bags are also suitable for all audiences. The grocery chain Trader Joe's sells one for a euro and a half. A little more expensive, is worth about eleven euros - but much more creative, the British designer Anya Hindmarch . Their model "I'm Not a Plastic Bag" ("I'm not a plastic bag") has become popular auction site eBay, where he got billed ten times more than in a conventional manner.