Plastic Bags: Environmental Impact and Recycling

This article discusses the environmental impact of plastic bags and the importance of recycling. It highlights the need to recycle plastic bags to preserve natural resources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The article also explores the market and customer context of plastic bags and the increasing demand for reusable plastic bags.

Topic: Plastic Bags
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Idea evaluation and refinement
Plastic products have emerged as an essential part of our daily lives, and as a result,
polymers are shaped on a global scale. On average, global plastic production exceeds 150
million tonnes per year. Its widespread use is packaging film, packaging materials, shopping
and trash bags, clothing, toys,liquid containers, household and industrial products and
building materials. It is projected that about 70% of plastic packing products are converted to
plastic waste in a short period. (Rajasekaran and Maji, 2018).
Environmental effect
Plastic bags are entailing to be a part of the municipal solid waste. RecyclingPlastic
bagscan have a positive impact on the environment in various ways. Due to the limited
surface area, groundwater conditions make biodegradation of all things almost impossible,
including plastic. Plastic bags impartto store reusable space that can be used for other
waste. Recycling plastic bags helps preserve natural resources. Plastic bags are very much
required to be recycled as it clogs many of the water resources in which it gets dumped.
The Agency of Environmental Protectionapproximations that reprocessing one ton of
plastic is about 3.8 barrels of crude oil are saved (Rajasekaran and Maji, 2018).
Generating new materials in context to remaining materials consumes meaningfully
less energy than the raw materials used. In context to the Environmental Protection
Agency, one pound of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is recyclable, usuallyimparted in
plastic bags, saving about 12,000 Btu heat. The process of recycling consumes less than
two-thirds of energy compared to conventional wood production, and significantly reduces
the load on traditional hydraulic power grids based on fossil fuel combustion( Arı and
Yılmaz, 2017).
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The plastic manufacturing process produces greenhouse gases, counting carbon
dioxide. It is extensivelyviewed as a major contributor to the effects of global warming.
Recycling of the plastic bags entails fossil fuels and less energy, thereby reducing
greenhouse gas releases. The Environmental Protection Agency subjects that by reducing
carbon dioxide emissions by 340 pounds per year, the average family can only recycle
plastic waste.
In context to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, reprocessing plastic bags can also
impart to reduce the quantity of air and water source contamination. Many landfill
facilities burn waste plastic bags to conserve waste. The waste can release toxic pollutants
and irritants into the atmosphere. Plastic resins used in making plastic bags contain
potentially harmful chemicals that can enter soil or groundwater if they can have cloggedto
groundwater (Arı and Yılmaz, 2017).
Market and customer
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The impact of Plasticbags will impact not only the environment, but also the market
and customer context. Customers are now interested in using biodegradable products to
protect the environment. For example, plastics made in context to the post-consumer
materials impart away from the garbage and go to recycling plants, reducing waste of plastic.
It is inexpensive, competitively obtainable, and renders an effective impact in regard to the
environment
Studies show that many demographers prefer to address environmentally sustainable
business and that customers are eager to pay more for consumer-made plastic products. As
such, the use of post-consumer plastics imparts an opportunity for companies looking for
more sustainable packaging options for an eco-friendly customer base. The benefits of using
plastic are numerous. It does not only subject to reduce the quantity of plastic waste or move
into an environment that can cause serious problems, but it also helps businessesdecrease
their carbon footprint and remove the need to use fossil fuels as raw materials. In addition,
used plastics allow businesses to become more environmentally ecological and enable
consumers to make environmentally sound decisions (Alamet al., 2018).
Reusable plastic bags Are Becoming More Prominent
Demand for convenient and environmentally friendly products has increased the value
of reusable plastic bags. Increasing interest in convenience has influenced brands and
customers and is looking for new ways to expand the message and reach new customers.
Greening is a backward platform because of the general benefits that brands and consumers
enjoy. Reusable plastic are made of environmentally friendly materials, but most importantly
they can be washed and reused. Carefully treated reusable drinkers can be a lifelong product
and as the message of the brand continues to spread, they offer a unique branding
opportunity. All of this can be achieved at an affordable price.
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References
Alam, O., Billah, M. and Yajie, D. 2018. Characteristics of plastic bags and their potential
environmental hazards. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 132, pp. 121-129.
Arı, E. and Yılmaz, V. 2017. Consumer attitudes on the use of plastic and cloth
bags. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 19(4), pp. 1219-1234.
Rajasekaran, D. and Maji, P. K. 2018. Recycling of plastic wastes with poly (ethylene-co-
methacrylic acid) copolymer as compatibilizer and their conversion into high-end
product. Waste management, 74, pp. 135-143.
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