Bag the bag - An opinion

Submitted by Mary Libby

Bag the Bag Spokesperson

Anne Oman’s recent article in the Fernandina Observer raises good questions about reducing the use of plastic bags. Here are some comments which may help allay some concerns.

The paper vs. plastic debate is not simple. Both have their disadvantages. Paper is hard to recycle, consumes more energy (fuel) and water to manufacture, and produces solid waste.

Plastic litter is everywhere…look at any highway roadside. It is clearly a danger to wildlife and too often ends up in the ocean. You don’t have to be an environmentalist to be disgusted by the pictures of fish or waterbirds who are killed by getting tangled up with a plastic bag. It doesn’t recycle well, and can take centuries to degrade in landfills.

Mandating the use of paper might theoretically result in unintended consequences down the road, which is why setting hard and fast rules may be a concern, although several cities and states are doing so.Some are also requiring stores to charge a fee for plastic bags.

In short, neither paper nor plastic are great solutions. So, the best solution is consumer education, and voluntary choice. At this point, reusable cloth bags provide a good solution. Many grocery stores already provide them, some free, some at a small charge. But even if you pay a dollar for a bag, you can reuse it over and over.

Some have a concern about the cleanliness of reusable bags. People use reusable bags in Hawaii, North Carolina, and other states, as well as much of western Europe, where there have been restrictions on nonreusable bags for decades. You should wash them occasionally.

For some, one of the biggest hurdles is to remember to take your reusable bags along when you go to the store. But like your car keys or your cellphone, you can form the habit and remember to take them. Once you do, you’ll find yourself running back out to get them.

Editor's Note: Mary Libby is a naturalist painter. She has lived in Fernandina for 1 1/2 years, after coming here from Minnesota. She is a member of Bag the Bag Fernandina.

March 19, 2014 6:03 a.m.