The Plastic Bag Industry

Summary about plastic bag by Bizymoms.com Management

Plastics are classified based on their polymer backbone. Just as there are many varieties of plastic, there are several different ways to process plastic. Most plastic bags consist of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, or chlorine.

Plastic bags are usually made up of the plastic type polyethylene. Plastic bags came into the spotlight during World War II and have been popular ever since. Shopping bags, garment bags, trash bags and packing material all use polyethylene. Plastic bags in groceries are flimsy while at malls you get more sturdy types.

Petroleum and natural gas are the key ingredients that are used by the plastic bag industry. The plastic industry is now looking towards making degradable bags, like those use starch as a raw material. Plastic bag industries have spoken out against any bans that may be implemented on the use of plastic bags.

The Affect Of Plastic Bags On Our Environment

plastic shopping bags

A direct result of this is heavy dependence on plastic bags. First of all, a plastic bag can take up to 500 years to break down and decompose. Not all bags end up in a landfill, however.

In the oceans, plastic bags float and mislead turtles and other marine animals that swallow them as food. Some marine biologists think that plastic bags seem like jellyfish, an appetizer, to some marine life.

Plastic bags are thin and light which means they are easily carried by the wind. Plastic bags seem harmless enough to an adult human but they can suffocate unsuspecting animals and even babies.

Can plastic bags be burnt and got rid of that way? So next time you pick up a plastic bag, thinking it’s so convenient, light and cheap, think again.

You may want to read articles about cellophane bags and blister packaging.