The World is Drowning in Plastic. What Can Be Done?
Abundance of Plastic Trash
Plastic is so commonplace it is hard to imagine life without it. From packaging even to furniture just about everything is made of or comes wrapped in plastic. Plastic is ubiquitous, and it also causes a lot of problems. Plastic has overstayed it’s welcome. This is one reason we have a mission to help businesses market with reusable bags.
Missed Opportunity for Recycling
Plastic is recyclable, which means in most instances it can be reprocessed and turned into something else. It can be used over and over again to create new and useful items like reusable bags. Unfortunately, plastic is typically thrown in the garbage and dumped in a landfill instead of being tossed in a recycling bin. If the consumer does not recycle their plastic items that is the end of the line and that item is not recycled.
Reality of Plastic
When plastic is deposited in a landfill, or worse yet, tossed aside as litter, it stays pretty much forever. Because plastic does not safely breakdown, it continues to exist, taking up space and entering our food chain. Plastic as litter can cause serious trouble for animals that mistake it for food, which is often a fatal mistake.
Some estimates put the amount of plastic in the world’s oceans at 150 tons. If action is not taken, that number is only going to increase. If we continue at this current pace, by 2050 there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean. That is alarming and one more reason that, we as consumers and businesses, must turn to reusable bags.
One and Done
Most of the plastic generated is only used once before it is discarded. Most of the time it is in the form of packaging. Once it has fulfilled its purpose, the plastic is thrown away. Disposable plastic grocery bags are a major part of this single-use problem.
The thin film bags are in fact recyclable, but few are recycled. Most end up in the trash, or they are repurposed as garbage bags before finding their way into the trash. Either way, they are not recycled, so new resources must be used in order to create more bags, which will end up in the trash, too. The time to decrease the use of plastic bags by using reusable bags is upon us.
Rise of Plastic Bag Bans
Banning single-use plastic bags, and turning to reusable bags, is one solution to the mounting piles of plastic trash that is taking over. Plastic bag bans stop the problem before it becomes a problem.
We have been following the plastic bag ban movement for several years. We even have a map that tracks the movement! This map is an interactive tool that tracks successful plastic bag bans, as well as efforts that did not work. Use this resource to learn more about plastic bag bans.
Position Your Brand to Do Right with Reusable Bags
Just one custom reusable bag can do the work of hundreds of single-use plastic bags. Making the switch to reusable bags can help the planet and reduce trash. Custom reusable grocery bags are also highly effective marketing tools that increase the awareness and recognition of your brand.
We have been in the business of creating custom reusable bags for over 20 years. We understand how to streamline the process and make it as easy as possible for you to place an order. Get in touch to learn more and request a quote!
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