Most recyclable bags are still made of plastic

7:24 PM, Feb. 19, 2014  |  Comments

Once again, environmentalists are pushing to ban plastic bags; this time in Johnson County. Proponents of this ban state that traditional plastic bags are "dirty," "ugly," and use fossils fuels to produce, thus polluting the environment. Instead, advocates propose a reusable shopping bag as a responsible choice for the environment and for food shopping.

What these proponents either do not know or do not wish to tell is that most of the popular reusable bags sold are made of nonwoven polypropylene, which is a plastic. While this plastic may look like fabric, it's still plastic.

Polypropylene is very sensitive to UV light, which causes it to break down. Many of these bags are stored in vehicles, which increases their exposure to UV light and reduces their useful life. Very few recycling programs exist for discarded polypropylene fabric bags; so when the bag has outlasted its usefulness, it will end up in the landfill, just like traditional plastic bags. On the other hand, traditional plastic bags can be recycled at the store or a recycling center if they are no longer wanted or needed.

Another point is that almost all nonwoven polypropylene bags are imported from China and contain no recycled content. China is much more lax in its environmental laws than the United States, letting more fossil fuels be used and more pollution to escape into the atmosphere to produce these "eco-friendly" bags.

Most traditional plastic bags are made in the United States, using very environmentally-friendly production techniques. Yet those wanting to ban plastic bags seem to think that shifting more jobs overseas while polluting another country's environment is perfectly fine as it is saving the environment here in Johnson County.

Finally, what do these advocates use for an extra rubbish basket or to clean up pet waste if they do not use traditional plastic bags? These bags can be reused for many purposes and are not just thrown away once the groceries are put away.

Nonwoven polypropylene bags do not have such versatility.

Before enacting a plastic bag ban, advocates had better have a good alternative, as the reusable shopping bag they tout is not enough of an environmentally-safe alternative.

Matt Fisher

Iowa City

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