In 2012, Americans Produced Over 250 Million Tons Of Gold

In 2012 Americans Alone Produced Over 250 Million Tons Of Garbage On

In 2012, Americans alone produced over 250 million tons of garbage. One large component of this waste consisted of oil based plastic bags, which are utilized excessively by grocers, restaurants, and stores nationwide. In order to reduce this source of waste, many countries are banning plastic bags or taxing customers for their use. Using at least two scholarly or reputable resources and your textbook, discuss at least two environmental problems caused by such extensive plastic bag use. If you were in charge, what plan might you propose to reduce or eliminate their use? Discuss the economic impacts of implementing your plan versus the financial impacts of making no change in our current use. Must be at least 150 words

Paper For Above instruction

The pervasive use of plastic bags in the United States significantly contributes to environmental degradation and pollution. Two primary environmental problems associated with extensive plastic bag usage are marine pollution and harm to wildlife. Plastic bags often end up in oceans and waterways, where they pose a threat to marine life. Marine animals such as sea turtles, birds, and fish mistakenly ingest plastic debris or become entangled, leading to injury or death (Jambeck et al., 2015). Additionally, plastic bags are non-biodegradable, taking hundreds of years to decompose, thus persisting in the environment and releasing toxic chemicals as they break down (Andrady, 2011). This prolonged presence contaminates soil and water resources, affecting ecosystems and human health.

From an economic perspective, reducing plastic bag usage involves implementing measures such as taxes or bans, which can incur initial administrative costs and inconvenience for consumers. However, these costs are offset by long-term savings in waste management and environmental cleanup efforts. Conversely, continuing current practices leads to escalating disposal costs and environmental remediation expenses, which burden taxpayers and local governments. Moreover, the degradation of ecosystems can negatively impact industries such as fishing and tourism, further exacerbating economic losses. Therefore, a strategic plan that promotes reusable bags through incentives and public education would reduce environmental harm while offering economic benefits by decreasing waste management costs. Such initiatives support sustainability, protect biodiversity, and foster a healthier environment, ultimately proving more cost-effective than accepting the ongoing environmental and economic damage caused by plastic bags.

Implementing a phased ban complemented by incentives for reusable bag use can foster behavioral change among consumers. Policymakers could introduce levies on single-use plastic bags, encouraging shoppers to bring their own reusable alternatives. Educational campaigns highlighting the environmental impacts of plastic waste increase awareness and promote responsible consumer behavior. Additionally, providing subsidies to manufacturers who produce biodegradable or reusable bags can stimulate market innovation. Although initial costs for enforcement and promotion may be significant, these investments are offset by reductions in waste disposal and cleanup expenses, which are substantial. As reported by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation (2016), eliminating plastic waste can result in economic savings and job creation within recycling and manufacturing sectors. Conversely, if current consumption patterns persist, costs associated with environmental degradation, public health issues, and loss of eco-tourism opportunities will continue to escalate, burdening taxpayers and local economies. Therefore, proactive policies emphasizing reuse and sustainability are economically advantageous and ecologically necessary.

References

• Andrady, A. L. (2011). Persistence of plastic litter in the oceans. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 62(8), 1596-1605.
• Ellen MacArthur Foundation. (2016). The New Plastics Economy: Rethinking the future of plastics.
• Jambeck, J. R., Geyer, R., Wilcox, C., et al. (2015). Plastic waste inputs from land into the ocean. Science, 347(6223), 768-771.
• Schmidt, C., Krauth, T., & Wagner, S. (2017). Export of plastic debris by rivers into the sea. Environmental Science & Technology, 51(21), 12246-12253.
• Thompson, R. C., Swan, S. H., Moore, C. J., & vom Saal, F. S. (2009). Our plastic age. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 364(1526), 1973-1976.
• Li, C., & Goldstein, A. (2018). Environmental impacts of plastic debris and microplastics. Annual Review of Environment and Resources, 43, 1-27.
• United Nations Environment Programme. (2018). Single-use plastics: A roadmap for sustainability.
• Geyer, R., Jambeck, J. R., & Law, K. L. (2017). Production, use, and fate of plastic waste. Science Advances, 3(7), e1700782.
• Winans, S., Kendall, C., & Deng, H. (2017). The next green revolution: sustainable agriculture for food security and environmental health. Journal of Environmental Management, 187, 119-133.
• World Economic Forum. (2016). The new plastics economy: Rethinking the future of plastics.