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Evaluate the Main Problems Associated with Using Plastic Bags.Critically Assess Possible Solutions to Reduce These Problems.

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Evaluate the Main Problems Associated with Using Plastic Bags.Critically Assess Possible Solutions to Reduce These Problems.
Evaluate the main problems associated with using plastic bags.Critically assess possible solutions to reduce these problems.

The serious pollution caused by plastic bags has become an urgent environmental issue, it has attracted more and more concern.Today,plastic bags are widely used in retail industry,Kaplan(2010)states that nearly 1 trillion plastic bags are supplied in supermarkets,ordinary shops and street markets.They are popular with both consumers and retailers mainly owning to their beneficial properties.Compare with other types of packaging material,plastic is light weight,inexpensive,durable,hygienic and extremely convenient to carry which makes it a perfect material for package.(Australian Bureau of Statistics,2005) Even so,it is arguable that the expansion of plastic bags usage has detrimental influence upon the environment.This essay will assess the impact of plastic bags on the environmental system and evaluate two effective and feasible solutions to solve this problem.

Plastic bags lead to three main aspects of environmental influence. To begin with,they are made of polyethylene,which means they are non-biodegradable.(Casper,2009)Plastic bags would need even 1000 years to decompose.(ibid.)Chemicals from them do not change during this time,they just break down into many tiny bits.(kaplan,2010)These plastic bags would release chemical toxicant when they are in landfills.(ibid.)Besides,many animals may ingest these poisonous plastic pieces.As a result, humankind could eventually become victims of toxic chemicals from plastic bags through the food chain.In the second place,producing plastic bags would use up a deal of oil.For instance,producing 8.7 plastics bags could provide the same energy that a car could drive for 1 kilometres.(Australian Bureau of Statistics,2005) Also,because they come from heating oil,the producing process put out harmful emissions such as global warming gases .(ibid.) Apparently,manufacturing plastic bags would aggravate


References: Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2005). Year book Australia,2004. [electronic version].Canberra,Australia:Aust. Bureau of Statistics. Casper,J.K. (2010). Climate Management:Solving the Problem (Global Warming). New York, USA: Facts On File, Inc. Kaplan International Colleges. (2010). Skills For Study 1:Packaging and Waste. Nottingham,UK: KIC. Pp.123-124. Kaplan International Colleges. (2010). Skills For Study 1:Packaging and Waste. [podcast][mp3]. Nottingham,UK: KIC McKinney,M.L.,Schoch,R.M.and Yonavjak,L.(2007).Environmental science: systems and solutions. Sudbury ,Canada: Jones & Bartlett Learning Ruth,S.(2008)Breaking the plastic habit.Organic Gardening. 55(1).pp.68-69. Smith,S.(2008).Getting a handle on the plastic problem. Retrieved 22/2/2011 From:http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/feb/23/plasticbags.waste Solheim,M.K.,Wilcox,M.D.and Young,S(1990)A cleaner environment. Kiplinger 's personal finance. 44(2).pp.29-31.. Trask,G.(2006).It 's Easy Being Green: A Handbook for Earth-Friendly Living. Layton, USA: Gibbs Smith
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