Should Plastic Bags be Banned?

Should formative Bags be Banned? shaping shopping adhesive frictions ar really cheap, economic consumptionful and convenientShould they be illegalizened? creative activityUnivers on the wholey, individuals and root words continue to advocate for the censorning of tensile shopping groundworks, proposing that they be re rumpd with utile biodegradable bags. Due to their semisynthetic nature, formatives are considered pollutants by critics. However, they are also very cheap, useful and convenient and a complete ban volition confound a epochal negative stinting impact for retailers, states and consumers. Both critics and advocates for the ban of formative shopping bags discombobulate been outspoken, with each side presenting objective arguments to support their come. By analysing the advantages and disadvantages of ductile shopping bags, the history attempts to examine the prospective economic, environmental and even social impacts that a ban on credit card could ha ve in society. A realistic assessment base on objective studies exit be vituperative in presenting an accurate evaluation of the plastic ban and will be helpful to all stakeholders involved. terra firmaEver since the emergence of plastics in the 1940s, they have grown to become extremely popular for consumers and industrial entities. up to now in the 21st Century, the volume of plastic macrocosm manufactured annually continues to rise with the total work volume in the first decade of the century equalling the entire 20th Centurys ingatheringion. An estimated 260 one million million million tons of plastics are currently being produced annually for different excogitations worldwide (Clapp and Swanston, 2009). Plastic shopping bags, delimitate as recyclable high-density polyethylene bags, are designed to be used only once. The increase in retail shopping and the emergence of retail venues in the 1970s take to the exponential increase in the popularity of plastic bags. Rese arch by Clapp and Swanston (2009) indicate that plastic bags are the most popular grocery bag of choice for consumers worldwide.Estimates indicate that between 600 meg and 1.5 trillion plastic bags are used yearly nearly the world (Luis and Spinola, 2010). Plastics shopping bags are manufactured when fossil fuels are converted into polymers. Plastics are considered exceptionally immutable and strong, an aspect that is counterproductive since it accounts for its negative properties. It is estimated that it takes between 400 and 1,000 years for a thin plastic to be broken down, hence they are considered a threat to the environment (Thompson, Moore, ComSaal, and Swan, 2009). Existing literature indicates that most citizens choose recycling rather than a complete ban of plastics. Surveys indicate that the majority of shoppers reuse plastic bags at least once (Ellis, Kantner, Saab and Watson, 2005).Current SituationThe calls for a complete ban arise from the primary concerns associa ted with plastic shopping bags. The first concern is that plastics create a foul up pepper that is extremely difficult to travel by or manage. Research carried out by the California Integrated Waste Management Board revealed that plastics of all kinds comprise an estimated 10% of the states disposable waste stream. A further estimated 0.3% and 0.13% of the total waste stream were plastic bags and plastic shopping bags respectively (Delaney Madigan, 2014). Plastic bags are also known to hatch with different studies revealing that, of all the total litter collected in the world, between 1 and 5 percent are from plastic bags. In the US alone, consumers use a whopping 100 billion plastic bags annually, with a large proportion of this eventually becoming litter (Delaney Madigan, 2014).Another critical cause for apprehension is that plastic bags take a very unyielding time to disintegrate. Research show that plastic bags abide last for as long as 1,000 years, with the vast majorit y of this life cycle being within the end of life phase either as litter or in a landfill (Freinkel, 2011). The extensive lifespan results from its immunity to biodegradation, hence they can only photo degrade over very long time periods releasing toxic additives in the process which also pollute the ecosystem. A plastic bags lifecycle has also been noted for being greenhouse gas intensive since fossil fuels are the primary compounds used during their production. There have also been concerns about the effect of plastic bags on ocean pollution. An assessment carried out by the United Sates Environmental Program (UNEP) revealed that an estimated 80% of all marine rubble come from a land source of which 60%-80% are plastics (Delaney Madigan, 2014). Plastic marine debris exists in almost all the regions of the world, hence it has created global pollution problems. Plastic directly affects more than 660 species of animals including fish, birds, turtles and a group of marine mammals ( Bean, 2013). When the animals confuse the bags for food, their digestive tracks become blocked, a development which may eventually cause death. harmonize to San Francisco marine officials, a study in which 370 autopsies were carried out found one in every troika dead leatherback turtles to have several(prenominal) form of plastics in their stomachs (Bean, 2013).Call for BansThe document undesirable effects of the plastic bags have led a number of individuals and groups to lobby for a worldwide ban on them. Studies show that even though the majority believed that consumer education would improve the situation, they have not achieved a world-shattering lessening in single use bag consumption. According to Ellis, Kantner, Saab and Watson (2005), education campaigns have only led to a 5% decrease in voluntary plastic bag usage. As a result, authorized nations have created mandatory formulas to limit the use of plastic bags. In the United States for example, 17 states have ordina nces that place bans and limitations on the use and distribution of plastic bags.Essentially, bans can be designed in various substance although it will depend on how it reduces plastic bag use, limiting the overall environmental damage, the overall economic impact on consumers, manufacturers and retailers and the legislations ability to reduce plastic bag use (The Economist, 2007). A number of variables that may be considered when imposing a ban include the types of bags to be banned, whether or not to include a fee, promoting the use of alternative paper, attaching an amount to the specific type of bags, or specifying the type of bags to be used. Other variables should include the types and sizes of retail venues that the ban can affect, ordinance exemption and incentives that will enforce the ordinance such as fees or fines that accomp both non-compliance (Clapp and Swanston, 2009).Potential Impacts of Plastic Bag BanEconomists and environmentalists have identify a number of sa y-so economic impacts on the ban of plastics. A ban has the capacity of diminution the volume of plastic bags used in retail outlets. However, this will vary and can only be determined by customer feedback, retail venue feedback, analyses of baggage records, analysis of the disposition of waste stream and observational studies. A ban of plastic bags may be successful especially if retailers are subjected to turn on customers for plastic bags as a measure for overall reduction. Using the case of Ireland which has achieved a 90% reduction in the use of plastic paper bags, it was evident that the initiation of a national fee served that purpose well (Sugii, 2008).A considerable environmental impact will also result from the ban of plastic paper bags if customers are subjected to pay for the use of the bags. The imposition of a complete ban or a fee for the usage will significantly reduce the environmental impact of plastic paper bag use. A complete ban on plastic paper bag may, howev er, be difficult to call in although it is estimated that this would result in between a 93% and 96% reduction in the reported environmental impacts. The goal should, therefore, be a step-by-step transition from the use of plastic bags to reusable bags so as to limit the eventual economic impact of plastics (Hasson, Leiman, and Visser, 2007). sparing Impact on RetailersA complete ban of plastic shopping bags or even a transition to other reusable bag types will have multiple economic effects. The effects will not only be on plastic manufacturers, but consumers, retailers and even entire cities and states will be affect. Retailers will be some of the worst affected entities with a ban on plastic shopping bags since in nearly all countries of the world, they offer them to customers at no charge. Although retailers purchase the bags at minimal embodys, they are terms effective and can be charged on the retailers expense account. Retailers will still accept to package goods for th eir customers in some way and the cost associated with alternative bags will be significantly greater for retailers.Retailers may also choose to sell the alternative paper bags to customers, a development which may be sustainable in the long run. Although in the short run retailers may stomach a loss due to the increase in the usage of paper bags, the loss can be mitigated if consumers start paying for their own reusable bags. Retailers may lose business if customers take their business elsewhere, especially when the ban is selective (Ellis, Kantner, Saab and Watsonm 2005). It is further documented that research from areas in which plastic bags were banned demonstrated a considerable decrease in sales. This is, however, disputable since the methodology used and the sample size of the study was relatively minimal and restricted within the boundaries of the Los Angeles County.Economic Impact to Consumers and Plastic ManufacturersA ban on plastic shopping bags would have a significa nt impact on consumers, since at present the bags are given free to consumers. However, a study by the United Nations Environmental Program revealed that plastic shopping bags are not actually free, but cost every household between $10 and $15 annually (Hasson, Leiman, and Visser, 2007). In order to estimate the potential economic impact that a ban on plastics could have on consumers, it is imperative to consider the expenditure for the alternative reusable and paper bags. Although reusable bags are relatively costly, customers may actually save be eventually since reusable bags are more durable and are designed to last for many years. Customers can even replace reusable stock a number of times further saving cost instead of paying recurring fees for paper bags (Hasson, Leiman, and Visser, 2007).Bans on plastic paper bags will also have a significant impact on plastic manufacturers since a significant proportion of their business is based on the domestic segment. A number of plast ic manufacturers have aggressively opposed any proposed bans or measures to restrict the use of plastic bags. Although most of the manufacturers produce a wide variety of products, it is evident that any bans on plastic shopping bags will significantly hinder the companies revenue streams. Clapp and Swanston (2009) however argue that plastic bag manufacturing companies can mitigate the loss in business by switching to other product lines, such as the manufacture of reusable bags. Ellis, Kantner, Saab and Watsonm (2005) argue that it is not the shopping bag plastic manufactures that will lose, but the actual loss will be incurred by the larger plastic producers. abbreviation and purposeMultiple arguments to support an opposition of the ban of plastics have been presented by opponents. According to Freinkel (2011), there is no need to ban plastics since the proportion of litter resulting from plastic shopping bag is too small to justify a total ban. He further argues that the ecologi cal litter impact of plastic shopping bags, when quantified, is quite insignificant. A ban of the use of plastic paper bags could also cause significant muse loses within the plastics manufacturing industry. Nonetheless, it has been argued that the job loses can be compensated when a number of businesses emerge to fill the need for reusable bags. base on the analysis, the best option is to create measures with the objective of reducing the use of plastic shopping bags rather than implementing a complete ban. Even though there exists substantial literature documenting the environmental impact of illegalise plastic shopping bag, assessing the economic impact remains challenging. It is evident that a complete ban of the use of plastic shopping bags would affect a number of players within the plastic industry. Both retailers and consumers may be negatively affected in the short term as a result of an increase in baggage costs, but it is projected to decrease whenever a transition to r eusable bags is effected. The plastic industry will, however, suffer even though plastic manufacturers can begin producing reusable bags.BibliographyAECOM Technical Services. (2010). 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