8 Popular Myths About Plastic Bags Debunked

Everything in the world including plastic bags has its fair share of myths floating around in the society. These misconceptions explain the demonization of plastic bags everywhere. This article is prepared to debunk 8 of these mistruths. By the end of the article, you’ll have changed your outlook on plastic bags. Additionally, you’ll realize that plastic shopping bags are a better and more economically viable option than paper bags. Without much ado, let’s dig deep into debunking these myths.

Myth #1: Plastic bags increase in addition to oil

It’s unbelievable but plastic bags are very energy efficient to manufacture. About less than 0.05 percent, crude oil is used to produce plastic bags. However, about 93 to 95 percent of crude oil is used for heating and fuel. Natural gas is used in the making of about 85 percent of all plastic bags. These bags are made from natural gas and crude oil but they consume less fossil fuel in their lifetime compared to paper bags. This means the continued use of plastic shopping bags has less impact on oil consumption.

Myth #2: Most landfills and garbage is full of plastic bags

This isn’t true because paper makes up about 40 percent of typical landfill content. The primary component of 95 percent of all garbage is usually cigarette butts, chewing gum wrappers, and candy wrappers. The truth is that plastic bags make up only one percent of garbage. Everyone has to understand the importance of proper garbage disposal to reduce garbage instead of putting the blame on plastic bags.

Myth #3: Paper bags are more environmentally friendlier

A plastic merchandise bag is made with recyclable material putting environmental concern in mind. Paper bags produce 50 times more water pollutants and 70 percent emissions. About 80 percent less waste comes from plastic bags compared to paper bags. Additionally, plastic bags 40 percent less energy compared to paper bags. Worse still, making paper bags from recycled fiber requires using more fossil fuels compared to plastic bags.

Myth #4: Recycling plastic bags is extremely expensive

The reverse is true for this scenario. The price of not recycling plastic bags is extremely high. Recycling saves valuable resources and significantly lessens waste likely to end up on landfills. Additionally, recycling plastic reduces litter since plastic bags can be stored for further processing. It’s very important to keep in mind that recycling a pound of plastic requires91 percent less energy for the same quantity of paper.

Myth #5: Using paper bags protects marine life

The truth is that producing paper bags significantly contributes to water and air emissions and solid waste, unlike plastic bags. Thinking that using paper bags protects marine life is a big lie. All it takes it to recycle or dispose of all kinds of products regardless of paper or plastic properly. This is what will lessen the threat to the environment and wildlife.

Myth #6: Plastic bags take thousands of years to decompose

Regular polyethylene bags don’t usually biodegrade but photodegrade. The polymer chains in polyethylene bags become brittle and are likely to crack on exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. This is enough evidence that plastic bags fragment into microscopic granules with eventual decomposition sooner than largely anticipated thousands of years.

Myth #7: No demand for recycled plastic

This statement doesn’t apply to the modern world. There’s an immense market today for recycled plastics. The best thing is that using recycled plastic is significantly cheaper than purchasing new materials. This explains the growing need to recycle more plastic bags. Keep in mind that recycling plastic bags to produce raw material for making railing, new plastic bags, outdoor decking products, and a variety of other products.

Myth #8: Plastic bags are for single use

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Most of the people talking ill about plastic bags base it on assumption that these bags are only used once. According to statistics, 80 to 90 percent of people reuse plastic bags after removing groceries more than once. Plastic shopping bags can be reused for other purposes such as:

• Lunch sacks
• Waste bin liner
• Picking up pets
• Holding wet laundry

Bottom line

When choosing packing material for customers in your retail store, plastic bags are an ideal solution. These bags come in various sizes and colors but strong enough to support a variety of products including groceries and books.