Plastic bags are one of the most ubiquitous items in the world. We use them to carry our groceries, our laundry, our school supplies. They\’re cheap, they\’re easy, and they\’re everywhere. But plastic bags are also one of the most damaging things to the environment. Here are four reasons why you should avoid using single-use plastic bags:
1. They\’re a huge pollutant.
Plastic bags are made from fossil fuels, and their production releases harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. They\’re also light and easily blown around by the wind, which means they end up in our oceans and on our beaches, where they can harm or kill marine life.
2. They don\’t decompose.
Plastic bags can take hundreds of years to break down, and even then, they never truly disappear. They just break into smaller and smaller pieces, polluting the environment the whole time.
3. They\’re a waste of resources.
It takes a lot of oil and water to produce plastic bags, and most of them are used for just a few minutes before being thrown away. That\’s a huge waste of resources that could be used for other things.
4. They\’re dangerous to animals.
Animals can mistake plastic bags for food, and if they eat them, they can choke or starve to death. If the bags end up in the ocean, they can also harm or kill marine life.
So next time you\’re reaching for a plastic bag, think about the damage they can cause and try to find a reusable alternative instead.