Today's Functional and Environmental Choice Plastic grocery bags, retail bags, newspaper delivery sleeves, dry-cleaning bags and can liners have long been preferred for their strength, carrying convenience and water resistance. Now, plastic bags are gaining recognition for their positive environmental impact. Studies by the National Audubon Society, Germany's Office of the Environment and Franklin Associates, Ltd., a nationally recognized solid waste consulting firm, conclude that plastic bags conserve resources and minimize pollution in their manufacture, use and disposal. Plastic bags can also be used and reused in dozens of ways, then recycled to make a variety of new products. Plastic bags are increasingly being recognized for their environmental advantages through their ability to satisfy the 3R's - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
Plastic bags conserve resources in their manufacture, use and disposal.
They can be used and reused in dozens of ways, and then recycled to make a variety of new products. But so, it seems, will most of the supposedly biodegradable things. The brown paper bags used in most supermarkets are made from virgin paper, without contributions from recycled materials. Polyethylene carrier bags require less energy to manufacture and cause, in all, less damage to the environment. Next time you choose a plastic bag, you can be confident that you are making a positive environmental choice.