As fears over pollution grow, Britain desperately looks for a way to reduce plastic consumption
By Jaimee Taylor
Supermarket chain Morrisons has introduced reusable paper bags in an effort to reduce plastic usage.
But paper bags require forests to be cut down, use four times the energy to manufacture and release a higher concentration of harmful chemicals into the atmosphere.
We’re all aware of the damage plastic bags have on our environment, taking between 400 to 1,000 years to break down.
But with climate change a big concern for many people, the negative effects of manufacturing paper bags need to be considered too.
This is an especially valid argument when you consider February 26 was the hottest February day on record, with temperatures reaching 21.2C in south-west London. Environmentalists argue this is a sign of global warming.
The government has launched plans to double the charge on plastic bags from 5p to 10p in January 2020.
The fee will apply to all stores across England, an attempt by environment secretary Michael Gove to combat plastic consumption.
Government statistics show major retailers have issued around 83% fewer single-use plastic bags since the 5p bag levy was introduced in 2015, making it likely that an increase in this charge would see usage drop further.
Although a step in the right direction, it could be argued that the best way to curb plastic use is to ban unnecessary plastic altogether.
China placed a ban on thin plastic bags in 2008. Australia has begun to put bans in place in several states. And in 2014 California became the first US state to ban single-use plastic bags at large retail stores. So it begs the question - if these places are willing to take the plunge, why aren’t we?