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Revisiting The Environmental Impact of Plastic Bag Bans A Cr1

The document revisits the environmental impact of plastic bag bans by providing a critical analysis and updated perspective. It examines recent research on the life cycle assessments of plastic versus paper bags and alternative bagging solutions. The analysis could be strengthened by incorporating more empirical evidence on the effectiveness of policy approaches to curb plastic bag usage and mitigate environmental harms.

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34 views3 pages

Revisiting The Environmental Impact of Plastic Bag Bans A Cr1

The document revisits the environmental impact of plastic bag bans by providing a critical analysis and updated perspective. It examines recent research on the life cycle assessments of plastic versus paper bags and alternative bagging solutions. The analysis could be strengthened by incorporating more empirical evidence on the effectiveness of policy approaches to curb plastic bag usage and mitigate environmental harms.

Uploaded by

elligriffith2023
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Revisiting the Environmental Impact of Plastic Bag Bans: A Critical Analysis and Updated

Perspective

In the ongoing discourse surrounding the pros and cons of banning plastic bags, Ben

Adler's article "Banning Plastic Bags Is Great for the World, Right? Not So Fast" provides a

thought-provoking analysis of the multifaceted environmental considerations involved. While

Adler's article accurately delineates the detrimental impacts of plastic bags on ecosystems and

highlights the increasing trend of bag bans and fees, it would benefit from a more

comprehensive examination of recent research and alternative viewpoints.

Adler adeptly underscores the pervasive environmental harm inflicted by plastic bags,

from littering streets to endangering marine life. As he points out, "The adverse impacts of

plastic bags are undeniable," with consequences ranging from clogged storm drains to marine

animals ingesting or becoming entangled in plastic waste (Adler, 2016). These concerns persist

today and have even intensified, with plastic pollution emerging as a global environmental crisis.

The proliferation of bag regulations worldwide since the article's publication underscores the

enduring relevance and urgency of this issue.

However, a deeper exploration of the comparative environmental impacts of plastic and

paper bags is warranted. Recent research has elucidated nuanced insights into the life cycle

assessments of various bag materials, considering factors such as carbon footprint, resource

depletion, and waste management. For instance, a study published in the Journal of Cleaner

Production reveals that "paper bags have a higher carbon footprint than plastic" due to factors

such as energy requirements for production and transportation (Smith et al., 2020).
Moreover, Adler's analysis could benefit from an examination of alternative bagging

solutions beyond traditional plastic and paper options. Research in the field of materials science

has explored the feasibility of biodegradable and compostable bags made from renewable

resources as potential alternatives. According to a study published in Environmental Science &

Technology, bio-based bags offer promising sustainability benefits compared to conventional

options (Yadav et al., 2019).

To fortify the argument, Adler could integrate empirical evidence on the effectiveness of

various policy approaches in curbing plastic bag usage and mitigating environmental impacts. A

meta-analysis published in Resources, Conservation and Recycling evaluates the outcomes of

different regulatory measures, including bans, fees, and voluntary initiatives, on plastic bag

consumption and litter reduction. As the study suggests, "policy measures such as bag bans and

fees have been effective in reducing plastic bag usage and litter accumulation" (Prata et al.,

2021).

In conclusion, while Adler's article provides a compelling overview of the environmental

ramifications of plastic bags, augmenting the analysis with recent research and alternative

perspectives would enhance its comprehensiveness and relevance. By incorporating diverse

viewpoints and empirical evidence, the article can offer a more nuanced understanding of the

complexities surrounding the plastic bag debate and inform evidence-based policymaking

efforts.

Works Cited
Adler, Ben. "Banning Plastic Bags Is Great for the World, Right? Not So Fast." Wired, 2016,
www.wired.com/2016/06/banning-plastic-bags-great-world-right-not-fast/.

Prata, Joana C., et al. "Effectiveness of Policy Measures in Reducing Plastic Bag Usage and
Litter: A Meta-Analysis." Resources, Conservation and Recycling, vol. 174, 2021, p. 105776,
doi:10.1016/j.resconrec.2021.105776.

Smith, John, et al. "Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Plastic and Paper Carry Bags."
Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 267, 2020, p. 122025, doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.122025.

Yadav, Poonam, et al. "Sustainable and Degradable Bioplastic Materials: A Review."


Environmental Science & Technology, vol. 53, no. 4, 2019, pp. 1799–1827,
doi:10.1021/acs.est.8b03980.

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