HUMAN IMPACTS LAB
AUSTIN’S GOT A BRAND NEW BAG
(online)
Discontinuing
or outlawing the use of plastic bags seems to be an obvious benefit to the
environment and such action may seem sure to promote sustainability. According to the Environmental Protection Agency:
·
Sustainability is based on a
simple principle: Everything that we need for our survival and well-being
depends, either directly or indirectly, on our natural environment.
·
Sustainability creates and
maintains the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive
harmony, that permit fulfilling the social, economic and other requirements of
present and future generations.
·
Sustainability is important to
making sure that we have and will continue to have the water, materials, and
resources to protect human health and our environment.
Objectives
1.
Characterize
state campaigns to ban plastic bags in US
2.
Compare views
about plastic bag usage
3.
Interpret a
scientific publication comparing the life cycle of plastic bags and their
impact on the environment
4.
Compare the
US campaign (for and against) with four other countries
Procedure
What
to submit on your blog:
·
Headings
A, B, C, D, and E with questions answered.
A.
Think about
your opinion about the use of plastic bags for most purposes. Answer these
questions.
1.
Why do you
think this way? Have you ever read any scientific studies on the environmental
impact of different types of “carry bags?” I
don’t think it is a good idea to use plastic bags to carry groceries. Plastic
unless recycled will stay in a landfill and is not good for the environment. I
have read many different articles on carry bags and Styrofoam and how it is
truly a menace to the environment.
2.
Does your
thinking mostly reflect that of most of the people in your circle of friends
and family?
Yes it does reflect most of the people I know, we try to recycle
as much as we can. Even the company I work for is trying to be more green and
we have had to take courses through the company to help us become more green.
3.
In what type
of bag do you usually carry your merchandise home? Why?
I normally try to bring bags that I have purchased to the grocery
store so I won’t have to use their plastic bags.
B.
Read the
articles under the “Articles In Favor of Ban on Plastic Bags” heading. Do
further research, if you are interested. If you write using other sources,
remember to cite them.
1.
Summarize at
least three arguments (three total) made in these sources in support of banning
plastic bags in most circumstances.
In California they placed a ban
on plastic bags for several reasons one is because the plastic bags are
polluting the oceans and it costs the taxpayers millions to clean up the
oceans. Their recycle plants are being damaged due to the plastic bags jamming
up their machines. In Michigan it is said that you can’t drive anywhere without
seeing plastic bags hanging from the trees and it cost $15 per man hour to cean
the litter up.
2.
Does this
information reinforce or contradict your opinion? How?
It does reinforce my stance on
plastic bags. They are a menace to the environment and people do you to find an
alternative like material or paper bags.
3.
How is the
reasoning supported scientifically? Give two examples.
It is supported scientifically in
California 267 species have been adversely affected due to the litter of
plastic bags.
4.
List two exceptions
to the plastic bag ban in Austin.
The two exceptions to the ban in Austin
are paper bags made of 40% recycled content with handles and cloth or another
type of reusable bag made out of durable material.
C.
Read the
articles under the “Articles Against Ban on Plastic Bags” heading. Do further
research, if you are interested. If you write using other sources, remember to
cite them.
1.
Summarize at
least five arguments (five total) made in these sources in support of “banning
the ban” in most circumstances.
In
support of banning the ban studies in Europe and North America show that
conventional plastic bags are better for the environment that paper. They have
a lower carbon footprint. They have lower global warming potential. You can recycle the plastic bags. Banning plastic bags would put thousands out of work.
2.
How is the reasoning
supported scientifically? Give two examples.
The UK Environment agency did a
study and found that the conventional plastic shopping bag outperformed all
alternatives and had lower global warming potential.
3.
Explain how
this information reinforces or contradicts your opinion/view. Give an example.
It contradicts my opinion because the fact is
they are not biodegradable as they are plastic and plastic does not just go
away. It would be like throwing a Barbie doll in a landfill thinking it will be
reabsorbed into the ground. It doesn’t happen!
D.
Read or skim
the Scientific Research Paper. Be sure to read the summary and study Figures
5.3 and 5.6.
1.
Summarize
six findings of the United Kingdom Environmental Agency publication.
The findings
are that all bags basically have some impact on the environment due to the
production of them. In order for them to not have such an impact on the
environment they would have to be reused many times. Using the bags to line
trash cans is more beneficial than recycling. The starch polyester bags have
more of an impact on global warming. The paper bags need to be used at least 4
times and cotton bags need to be used 131 times to ensure they have less of an
impact on global warming. Recycling or composting generally produce, only a
small reduction in global warming potential and abiotic depletion
2.
State three
items that surprised you.
Three items that surprised me is that I thought
a paper
bag would be better for the environment but I
did not take into account the production of them and what it does to the
environment. I found it interesting that one would have to use a cotton bag 131
times to make a lower impact on the environment, I am not sure they even last
that long. I was surprised that composting and recycling is not as effective as
I thought or have read about.
1.
In your own
words, state four countries’ (besides US) bag usage.
In
Belgium, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands have all imposed a fee for the use
of plastic bags. These countries are very committed to recycling and the fee
offsets the cost for the recyclers.
