Should We Use Reusable Bags?

By: Suhaimi bin Mazlan

Did you know the plastic bags that are being used to carry our groceries from supermarkets can be harmful to the environment? Centers for Biological Diversity mentioned that at least 267 species had been attributed to ocean plastic pollution. The usage of plastic bags alone kills up to 100 000 marine animals every year, especially leatherback sea turtles, who are often confused between the plastic bags and the jellyfish they favor eating. Other than that, plastic bags take up to 1000 years to degrade in landfills. Unfortunately, they do not break down entirely; instead, they photodegrade, thus becoming microplastics that can absorb toxins and continuously pollute the environment. 

Using reusable grocery bags can help in protecting marine life. As mentioned earlier, the plastic bags thrown into the ocean by irresponsible human beings have been negatively affecting marine life as they can kill them without we realizing it. Furthermore, reusable bags are unlikely to be thrown away easily since they are long-lasting and can be used multiple times before being damaged. 

           Many of us did not know that much crude oil and natural gas are used to manufacture plastic bags. Waste Management Northwest mentioned that twelve million barrels of oil are used to produce plastic bags consumed in the United States. Using reusable bags for groceries and other purposes can conserve the earth's resources; moreover, if we can lessen the production and usage of plastic bags, we can conserve more non-renewable resources for other purposes.

Reusable bags can save the earth by decreasing pollution. Pollution can be lessened if we use reusable bags since the amount of plastic bags that will end up in landfill will decrease. However, the ecology center found that the production of plastic bags released dangerous gases, including sulfur oxides, nitrous oxides and ethylene oxide. These gases also can be found as the plastic bag decomposes.