The Environmental Impact of Plastic Grocery Bags and Their Alternatives

Abstract

Abstract Plastic grocery bags can casue a variety of environmental problems. Plastic bags pollute the air through their life cycle, from raw material extraction and manufacturing process to the disposal. The raw materials to produce plastic bags are mainly crude oil and natural gas, and the extraction process of those raw materials can cause the emission of a considerable amount of air pollutants to the atmosphere. In addition, plastic bags can also cause water pollution and soil pollution. Countries around the world have issued bans and tax measures to reduce the use of plastic grocery bags. At the same time, a variety of alternative options have been created and promoted to replace the use of plastic bags, including paper bags, jute bags, and other biodegradable bags. Each alternative has its advantages and disadvantages. After analysis of the environmental impacts and the practicability of plastic bags and their alternatives, we evaluated the feasibility of the utilization of alternative grocery bags under difference occasions as well as corresponding policy measures. Finally, we proposed several suggestions to mitigate the problem of plastic bag pollution, including developing new degradable bag technologies and reusing grocery bags.