In the United States, we rely on plastics to complete a plethora of daily tasks. From the medical equipment we see in doctor’s offices (which is often made by the process of reaction injection molding, wherein two liquid components are mixed and injected into a mold in order to react and cure) to the non-breakable plates and cutlery we keep in our cupboards, you can scarcely look in any direction without seeing a plastic component. And while plastics can keep costs down, improve material flexibility, or provide greater convenience, the problems associated with single use plastics are undeniable. As a result, more states are joining New York in effort to ban plastic bags. But while many believe this is a step in the right direction, even eco-conscious consumers are wondering how they’ll ever manage without this ubiquitous vessel.
According to an NBC News report, despite the fact that single use plastic bags didn’t really catch on until the 1980s, we now use approximately 100 billion plastic bags every year (or 300 bags per person annually). And while we may technically use these bags more than once, they eventually end up in the garbage. Theoretically, each bag would take 500 to 1,000 years to decompose, but many don’t ever make it to a landfill at all. Instead, many end up in our bodies of water. Land-based sources account for roughly 80% of all marine pollution annually, and these single use plastic bags are directly affecting the lives of the birds, turtles, fish, and sea mammals who accidentally ingest them (and often die as a result).
In response, 127 different countries have already placed limitations on plastic bag distribution. But, as is our custom, the U.S. is one of the last to catch up. Single use plastic bags are still given out freely in many states, though California, New York, and now Delaware and Connecticut have pushed for regulative legislation.
Despite the fact that these bans seem to be a step in the right direction, not everyone is embracing the new laws. Although there are many proponents of the ban, others point out that the most viable alternative, reusable tote bags, come with their own environmental impact. Giving up the convenience of free plastic bags doesn’t exactly appeal to some consumers, particularly because stores like Wegmans will soon charge a five-cent fee per paper bag if you forget to bring your own.
And then, of course, there are the pet owners. With over 75 million pet dogs in the United States, many pet parents are wondering how they’ll ever pick up after their furry friends if they can’t use plastic bags to do it. There are biodegradable bags on the market, but experts point out that these cost significantly more and may be advertised incorrectly. In fact, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission warned 20 different dog waste bag manufacturers in letters sent out in 2015 that the environmental claims used on their products might be considered deceptive. That hasn’t stopped these companies, however, meaning that many claims of compostability or biodegradable qualities might be a complete lie. And even if you do get the real thing, you’ll end up paying twice as much for a product you’ll immediately have to throw away. In Connecticut, officials suggested that pet owners could use other types of plastic bags, like those that are used to hold meat or fresh produce, for this purpose. Since composing dog waste can be tricky and it can be extremely harmful to dispose of it by other means, it’s understandable that pet moms and dads would mourn the end of the plastic bag era. And yet, there are certainly other disposable materials you can use instead — you’ll just have to devote your efforts to collecting those, rather than hoarding those plastic Wegmans bags in your pantry.
Local consumers are also worried about when they can expect their favorite grocer to discontinue plastic bag usage. The ban officially goes into effect in New York State on March 1, but Wegmans has indicated they’ll stop offering single use plastic bags well before then. They’re already rolling out their pilot programs to do just that in Ithaca and Corning and recently stated that they’ll eliminate all plastic bag usage in their stores in April. And while the store doesn’t actually want customers to use plastic or paper, the rules about what reusable bags can or cannot contain are unclear to residents. While we know a magnetic strip on your credit card can only hold so much information, the materials within reusable bags are still unclear. Even if a reusable cloth bag has any amount of plastic (like in its handles, for instance), retailers will no longer be able to offer these to customers. What’s more, Peter Iwanowicz, the executive director of Environmental Advocates of New York, has even admitted that the wording within the legislation is confusing, as the law says that “any plastic” bag (even reusable ones) are prohibited. Retailers can’t agree either, as James Calvin, the president of the New York Association of Convenience Stores, is currently telling association members that thicker, non-film plastic bags won’t be considered illegal — something state officials refute.
With any luck, New York State will release specific implementation regulations that will clear up the issue. But even after that happens, it’s likely that New Yorkers (and residents of other states) will continue to feel divided on the issue. Considering how many times people see a sign before feeling inclined to purchase (50 to 60 times), it may take some getting used to. One thing’s for sure, however: you’ll probably want to start stocking up on reusable, non-plastic bags and get into the habit of bringing them on your trips to Weggies.
