Blog Stage 6 - Commentary on the Ban on Single-Use Bags

Every year, on average, the United States goes through about 100 billion plastic shopping bags. Between America and Europe, we use up about 80% of the world total of plastic bags produced every year, which estimates to around 4 to 5 trillion. This commentary article, "Why Austin  Should Repeal Its Ban on Single-Use Bags", argues for a repeal of this ban, claiming it is not as beneficial as most would believe - I am here to argue that it is very much useful.

First, while personal experience is always valid to an extent, the problem of favoring plastic bags over reusable bags simply because of forgetfulness seems to be an irrelevant argument - especially when you do consider that this law was implemented four years ago. Rather than to see these reusable totes as a way for businesses to overprice their reusable bags, it should be seen as an attempt to stop using plastic bags that are threatening to the environment, especially with how easily they can be discarded without a second thought. 

It takes about 1000 years for plastic to break down naturally in compounds - so even if they decay in the body of one animal, it will only continue to enter the environment. Not only that but in the ocean, plastic bags act as a sponge, absorbing and holding toxins in them, making them lethal to marine life. Over 100,000 marine animals are killed each year because of plastic bags. 

While plastic bags are inherently more convenient than reusable totes (to some), the reality is that it seems like a small price to have to know that you are helping the environment rather than getting plastic bags that offer no environmental benefit.