How Can Plastic Grocery Bags Damage the Environment?

We went to a store, bought something and the storekeeper gave it in a plastic bag and we didn’t say anything. Even after knowing how can plastic grocery bags damage the environment, we think it’s just one small bag, there’s no negative effect just let it go right? Have you heard the phrase “drops of water may fill an Ocean”? This sounds motivated right? Well, just imagine if the whole population of the world thinks “It’s just a small plastic bag” How much plastic would be collected, and how much harm it will cause to our environment? Does it sound motivated? Why is everyone silent?

Today in this article, we will talk about the damage to our environment just because of using these small plastic bags and how we can be aware of this. We will also talk about how we can reuse plastic that comes to our homes like plastic bags, cold drink bottles, etc. So just sit tight, try to understand the depth of the problem, and read the solutions too.

1. How Can Plastic Grocery Bags Damage the Environment?

It’s not like that this topic is discussed, it’s just not taken seriously yet. However, some countries like Brazil, Austria, Canada, Singapore, and Germany have taken some serious actions against plastic pollution. But there are so many countries that are not taking this seriously.

Now, some people will say the government should ban everything made of plastic so no plastic pollution will be there. So let us tell you that in many countries plastic was banned but still the citizens of that countries were using plastic somehow.

Now, the question arises: how can we stop these toxic substances and prevent health risks? The answer is by only spreading awareness. Let’s talk about some points about how it is damaging our environment and how we can stop it.

1.1. Plastic Bag Waste: A Growing Concern

Even after knowing that it can harm our environment, it still becomes a consecutive part of our lives. Now a question just pops up: why is that happening? The answer is that it is so convenient for us to bring any in a plastic bag.

It’s just a small plastic bag, this phrase is destroying our environment. For this “It’s just a small bag” every year more than 380 million tons of plastic are generated in the world and remain intact. Where would that go? It stays here right with us. It just doesn’t vanish. What happens to this amount of plastic in the world?

Well, if this plastic debris doesn’t get disposed of properly, it can enter drainage systems and find its way into our rivers and oceans. Which also can contribute to the ever-growing problem of marine debris.

1.2. Environmental Impact of Plastic Bag Waste

Now, some of you might be wondering how plastic bags’ impact can cause such harm and damage and what material they are made of. Let’s also discuss that.

In the making of plastic bags some toxic chemicals like petroleum products are used and they rely on fossil fuels for their production. If you wanna read more about petroleum products and fossil fuels, you can click here and read about them. It would help you to understand how dangerous low-density polyethylene can be.

But here in short we would just say that these are non-renewable resources that can lead to detrimental effects on the environment. Some studies say that it can take more than 400 years for a bottle to get deposed. You might not know that but it also affects the climate change of our Earth.

1.3 Harm to Wildlife and Marine Life

When plastic bags and other plastic products end up in the oceans and water bodies, they become a hazard to marine life and wildlife.

For example, in discarded plastic bags you can take sea turtles and jellyfish, these thrown plastic bags and plastic products can be in contact with and consumed by fish which can be leading to some serious health risks for these magnificent creatures of our Earth. They think it’s their food but it’s not and as a result, you know what happens.

Not just turtles and jellyfish, a study says that more than 1 Lakh marine animals get killed because of this waste plastic in the north pacific ocean. Isn’t that concerning? If this is not stopping us from using plastic bags and products, what will?

1.4. Plastic Pollution and its Wide Range

If you are thinking that plastic bags are just limited to our rivers and oceans, you are wrong. It might be surprising but plastic also affects our soil and landscapes. Now, the harm is not just to marine animals, it coming back the same way where it all started, to us.

When we throw a plastic bag or products and leave them to degrade, see what happens then. They break down into the form of microplastics that can stay in our environment for decades. These microplastics somehow get into our food chain by finding a way that is not good for our health.

This is a potential risk to our health when we consume it through seafood or any other resources. Will now anyone say “It’s just a small plastic bag”? I think not.

1.5. Impact on the Developing Countries

If you are living in a developing country, the harm and danger of plastic bags can affect you more. Yes, you heard it right. The use of plastic bags and shopping bags is seen more in developing countries, it would not be wrong if we say that they have more important things to work on.

On our landfills isn’t plastic bags also a big concern for humans? Why do plastic bags have more impact on developing countries? Because the amount of plastic manufactured and used in developing countries is more and very few plastic bags get recycled in the end. And we said most of the plastic bags and products end up in landfills, drainage systems, or in the oceans.

Overall, using plastic might be combined for the short but is sure not for the long term. We have talked about all the major risks and dangers caused by plastic bags now, let’s talk about what we can do about it.

2. Easy Ways to Recycle Plastic Shopping Bags

When it comes to recycling plastic bags or anything, we have to agree that we all get a little lazy. So for that let’s discuss some easy ways to recycle plastic bags an individual can also follow.

2.1. Reusing Plastic Bags Pose

We just through a plastic bag after a single use right? Instead of doing that we can reuse them for various purposes and make them recyclable. For example, trash can liners, storing items, or even carrying groceries again in them.

2.2. Proper Disposal

If you have a huge amount of plastic bags that you don’t need anymore, you have to make sure that you dispose of them properly. Many grocery stores and recycling companies have collection points for recycling plastic bags, you can find one near give it to them and it will be recycled properly.

2.3. Choose Alternatives

If everyone started using alternatives for plastic bags, there’s a huge chance that plastic pollution will no longer be a threat to our marine animals. Best options for eco-conscious alternatives like reusable cloth bags or paper bags.

2.4. Spreading Awareness

Spreading awareness about the impact of plastic bags on our environment is one of the main things we can do to reduce it. If you are the one who decided not to use plastic bags after getting conscious after reading this article, you can share it with your friends. Maybe they will also become aware of this issue which can help us to reduce the risk more.

Final Words

In conclusion, we have to admit that plastic production and its pollution are a huge threat and harm to our Earth. If we really wanna save our world, we will have to start taking action and spread awareness about it to make plastic bags end. Now, some of you will be thinking how can I stop this huge amount of plastic waste on my own? But let us tell you that your individual action can make a lot of difference.

You can also use the alternatives like bags made from paper or biodegradable materials instead of plastic ones. This can break down naturally over time and doesn’t leave any harmful chemicals or microplastics behind it.

So let’s just decide that from now on, we will not use any plastic bags or products that can harm our planet, its creatures, and our future and make our Earth cleaner and greener!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Five common usages of plastic in our homes?

Five common usages of plastic are plastic bottles, plastic kitchenware, plastic containers, toys, and storage boxes, which we can use alternatives for available in the market.

Q2. How can we reduce plastic usage in our homes?

If you wanna reduce plastic usage in your home, you can use reusable containers and bags instead of single-use plastic bags. Do not choose any product in which the quantity of plastic is more. You can also use alternatives to plastic like glass, stainless steel, and silicone. Lastly, you’ll have to raise awareness about the disadvantages of using plastic for our planet.