Plastic Bags

While plastics are a useful man-made product, they have a long lifecycle with a high impact on the environment.

Governments, businesses and community groups around the world spend time and money each year to clean up plastics that are not recycled or disposed of thoughtfully, and to repair resulting environmental damage.

Did you know? The Issues

· Plastic bags can last up to Natural Resources Increased flooding in towns has 1,000 years in the occurred when plastic bags block up environment. Plastic bags are made from a by- drains and sewers in areas of high product of gas and oil refining, · A car can drive 115 metres rainfall. called ethylene. on the amount of petroleum used to make 1 plastic bag. Crude oil, gas and coal are all non- renewable resources and all have Wildlife · Recycled plastic takes 70% other common uses. less energy to produce than As a consequence of the longevity new plastic. of plastic and its ability to travel long Far reaching effects distances it impacts heavily on · Plastic bag remnants were wildlife. found in the gullets of 90% Plastic bags that are not reused or of albatross chicks on the recycled end up in landfill or as litter Animals can become entangled in remote Midway Island, in the on land and in the sea. Plastics do plastic debris. Pacific Ocean. not decompose and as a result the amount of plastic in the environment Marine animals such as dolphins, · Plastic kills up to 1 million increases each year. turtles and whales ingest bags by sea birds, 100,000 sea mistaking them for food, then choke mammals and countless fish The burning of plastics creates or starve to death because they are each year. emissions of toxic gases, dioxins unable to digest them. and heavy metals. · Certain types of plastic bags Already endangered species such

have been banned from as turtles, manatees and some seal Because plastic bags are stores in Bangladesh, species are being put at further risk lightweight and moisture resistant, Taiwan and parts of India, by this problem. they float easily in air and on water, Australia and South Africa. potentially travelling long distances. When the animal dies, the bags are · A levy on plastic bags has set free from the decomposing been introduced in Ireland Economic costs are associated with carcass and can go on to harm other and Denmark to reduce cleaning up the plastics. animals. consumption. Plastic bag litter is visually · Clean Up the World unattractive and can have serious Chairman, Mr Ian Kiernan, impacts on wildlife, domestic founded the campaign after animals and drainage systems. noticing the amount of plastic and litter floating in the ocean while sailing around the world. ·

Clean Up the World Pty Ltd ACN 054 915 249 ABN 65 054 915 249 · 18 Bridge Road, Glebe NSW 2037 Australia tel 61 2 9269 0700 · fax 61 2 9692 0761 · email info@ cleanuptheworld.org · website www.cleanuptheworld.org

Avoid, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Whilst the reuse and recycling of bags and the use of biodegradable plastics can reduce environmental effects, each new plastic bag still uses valuable resources and can have environmental implications.

The best option for the future is to focus on reducing our dependence on plastic bags by using reusable alternatives.

Reduce and Re-use Tips for Retailers Degradable Bags Try to use a plastic bag alternative · Offer reusable alternatives, such as a cloth or string bag, a such as calico and string bags, Degradable plastics offer a basket or a box. If you have to use a baskets and boxes. potential solution. They can plastic bag try to reuse it as much · Ask consumers whether they biodegrade into their as possible and ensure it is need a bag for small purchases. component materials or disposed of correctly when it is no · Train staff to pack items in a degrade, through light and heat, longer of use. If disposed of in way that minimises the number into smaller pieces of plastic. landfill, fencing or other precautions of bags used. The time taken and conditions should be made to prevent the bags · Monitor bag use over a given required for breakdown depend escaping into the environment. period to use as a benchmark on the design and composition for measuring reduction. of the plastic. Recycling · Provide recycling drop-off bins. Recycling is a good way of reusing However, degradable bags valuable plastic resources and require "ideal" conditions to avoiding them ending up as waste. Tips for Shoppers break down efficiently and can Remember that a recycling program · Use reusable alternatives such still introduce toxins and small will require a high level of as cloth or string bags, boxes plastic pieces into the infrastructure and a market for the and baskets. environment. final products. · Use reusable containers for Whilst degradable bags are a storing and transporting food. Plastic bags are made from two useful alternative they still use main types of plastic: · Carry smaller items in your valuable resources and hands or a shoulder bag. 1. HDPE – High Density contribute to environmental Polyethylene. This material · Reuse bags for subsequent waste. makes up the thin-style of bag shopping trips. most commonly used. This Further Information · Consolidate purchases from plastic can be recycled and it is different stores into one bag. Clean Up the World therefore preferable to LDPE. · Take bags back for recycling. www.cleanuptheworld.org 2. LDPE – Low Density · Reuse bags for storage of food Clean Up Australia Polyethylene. This material www.cleanup.com.au makes up the thicker-style of and clothing. Environment Australia plastic bag that is not usually · Line your bin with newspaper http://www.deh.gov.au/settleme recyclable. instead of plastic bags. nts/waste/plastics.html

In some countries plastic bag · Dispose of any plastic bags Reusable Bags recycling schemes are in place. thoughtfully so that they do not www.reusablebags.com Consumers take their HDPE bags to end up as litter in the Worldwatch Institute collection points and a range of environment. www.worldwatch.org/pubs/good items are manufactured from the stuff/plasticbags/ recycled material. Document last updated May 2008