If you want to take two minutes to help out The Sweaty Penguin, you can either leave us a five star rating and review or join our Patreon at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin. In May 2016, the New York City Council passed a 5-cent-per-bag fee on single-use bags handed out by most retailers. We use [drumroll] oil and gas! If someone wants a straw, they can ask and get it, no questions asked. So the unintended consequences. Increasingly, environmentalists are pushing for laws that include fees for all single-use bags, and that require paper bags to be made with recycled content, which could lower their carbon footprint. In fact, it may not even be the most effective option. Eat one less meat dish a week thats what will have a real impact on the environment, says Tyler. "Banning Plastic Bags Is Great For The World, Right? But studies conducted in Australia or Europe have limited applicability in the U.S., particularly when youre considering climate impact, because every country has a different energy mix. Thank you all for listening, and Ill see you next week. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise. Banning Plastic Bags Is Great for the World, Right? Not So Fast Solar and wind companies are coming to rural Texas. Because we do see such a strong response of having to pay for your bag, when you have to pay for your bag, it makes it an active decision, instead of just default, getting a whole bunch of bags that you dont really think about, we find that bag taxes are actually as effective as bag bans, and getting people to change their behavior, potentially without some of the unintended consequences of completely eliminating an option making people switch to other bags, which might actually be more harmful for the environment. ETHAN: Why does all that matter? As longtime plastic bag adversary Ian Frazier recently reported in The New Yorker, In 2014, plastic grocery bags were the seventh most common item collected during the Ocean Conservancys International Coastal Cleanup, behind smaller debris such as cigarette butts, plastic straws, and bottle caps. The New York City Sanitation Department collects more than 1,700 tons of single-use carry-out bags every week, and has to spend $12.5 million a year to dispose of them. And the most common substitute, paper bags, may be just as bad or worse, depending on the environmental problem youre most concerned about. Like blueberries or trips to the bathroom, not all plastics are created equal, and single-use plastic bags are typically made from a material called high-density polyethylene. Cracker? Cities and states across the country are banning plastic bags, but those bans may be having unintended consequences. Thats one idea that Ive seen floated all over the internet. NADJA: Its perfectly harmless, Laszlo. Even studies conducted with the purest of intentions depend on any number of assumptions. Now, Im not sure how far along plant plastic or CO2 plastic are in the development process, but certainly very exciting possibilities if they could scale up. Does it get recycled? So what was this paper about and what were your findings? Twitter, Follow us on Plastic bags not only destroy the physical infrastructure, she says, referring to the way they clog up storm drains and other systems, they contribute to emissions. And she points out that marine plastic pollution is a threat to low-income people who fish for their dinner: So many frontline communities depend on food coming from the ocean. Thats why her group supported New York Citys bag fee even though its more of a burden on lower-income citizens. I collected data from supermarkets, on the types of bags people were using at checkout, both before and after the policy went into effect. I personally dont care much what kind of bag my groceries are in, Id even take a Hello Kitty bag if it meant my eggs got home without breaking, but Im sure some people really love their plastic bags, and for those that do, this is certainly an intriguing possibility. ETHAN: The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. Plastic Bags Are a Problem. Are Plastic Bag Bans a Solution? - PBS With a referendum in November 2016, California became the first state to ban single-use plastic bags, according to the National Conference on State Legislatures, which keeps an active list of American laws. Special thanks to our Emperor Penguin patrons Lawrence Harris and Brownies Central. Christmas: no, were not going to stop. Wonder why you hear about legislation concerning plastic bags? And sort of the bottom line, what I found with in terms of like the amount of plastic, was about a third of the plastic that was eliminated by the carry out bag ban came back in the form of garbage bags, which do tend to be a bit thicker than the carry out bags. Even if bags arent the worst offender though, theyre a very hot topic and in my opinion, a really really interesting and misunderstood one, so Im very excited to talk about it today. What's in the Bag? The Problem with Single Use Plastics ETHAN: Welcome to episode 106 of The Sweaty Penguin: Antarcticas Hottest Podcast. Salt Marshes Are Essential Climate Solutions. What Comes Next for Venezuelas Oil Industry? And just like that, a step towards zero waste is taken, and it feels good. ETHAN: So just to wrap up this point, would you say that its a net positive or negative? Its right up there with Taylor Swifts jet, Beyond Burgers, and figuring out which soup is best for throwing at artwork. A tweak could let quantum possibilities increase as space expands. Plastic bags not only destroy the physical infrastructure, she says, referring to the way they clog up storm drains and other systems, they contribute to emissions. And she points out that marine plastic pollution is a threat to low-income people who fish for their dinner: So many frontline communities depend on food coming from the ocean. Thats why her group supported New York Citys bag fee even though its more of a burden on lower-income citizens. But when ethylene gas escapes the facility and is exposed to sunlight, it turns to smog, which has been associated with increased rates of asthma, lung and respiratory infections, and cardiovascular problems. Not So Fast. Banning Plastic Bags Is Great For the World Right Questions 1-5.docx And an estimated 10 million tons of plastic are discarded in the ocean yearly. Thats leading to a split in the anti-bag movement. Im curious, in your work looking at plastic bags or plastic in general, if there have been any cases of people being irrational actors in the market that just really surprised you or stood out to you. The Permian Basin Hosts the Highest Emitting Oil and Gas Project in North America. People look at [paper] and say its degradable, therefore its much better for the environment, but its not in terms of climate change impact, says David Tyler, a professor of chemistry at the University of Oregon who has examined the research on the environmental impact of bag use. There are other options though. Its what we put in the bag at the grocery store that really matters., 2023 Cond Nast. First off, I had a lot of cracker jokes, but more importantly being a heat intensive process, the production of plastic bags requires a good amount of energy, and it should come as no surprise that these petrochemical facilities typically use natural gas for their electricity source. Two weeks ago, the Massachusetts State Senate passed a measure that would ban plastic bags from being dispensed by many retail businesses and require a charge of 10 cents or more for a recycled paper or reusable bag. California became the first to introduce regulations banning single-use plastic bags in August 2014. Bag bans cut this litter off at the source: In San Jose, Calif., a plastic bag ban led to an 89 percent reduction in the number of plastic bags winding up in the citys storm drains. Both authors of these essays specifically speak about how the use of plastic can be harmful for the mother-nature, and have introduced ways to compensate this loss. How Are Muskoxen Faring in a Changing Climate? Even studies conducted with the purest of intentions depend on any number of assumptions. Grist is the only award-winning newsroom focused on exploring equitable solutions to climate change. Of those 48, 16 had publicly available air pollution data, so I took a look at that group. New York State and Hawaii just passed theirs, set to go into effect in 2020, and California's bag ban, which was passed in 2014, has been shown to have reduced plastic bag usage by 85 percent . Donate today to keep our climate news free. Heres just one tiny example: Does the paper for paper bags come from a recycled paper mill on Staten Island or a virgin forest in northern Canada? Single-Use Plastics 101 - NRDC The Massachusetts proposal may not become law this year, but its the latest sign that the plastic bag industry is losing this war. bags, or maybe even stop keeping bags at the register at all. Physicists Rewrite a Quantum Rule That Clashes With Our Universe. I hardly know her! So what this tells us is that people were actually doing this very green thing. Banning Plastic Bags Is Great for the World, Right? Not So Fast Banning Plastic Bags Is Great For The World, Right Not So Fast TAYLOR: Yes, how much people actually reuse the various types of reusable bags has a big impact on their environmental impact. Thats primarily because more energy is required to produce and transport paper bags. 10 Reasons Why Plastic Bags Should Be Banned | Greentumble It argues that while banning plastic bags may be good for the environment, it is not as simple as it seems. Aw, dammit, I was so close! Thats the intended goal of the policy. 12:48 PM PDT March 16, 2023. Banning Plastic Bags Is Great for the World, Right? Not So Fast Waste in particular, plastic packaging, how it is used, how it gets discarded. This story originally appeared on Grist and is part of the Climate Desk collaboration. I mean, look at all the kids roaming the streets looking for water after eating a single Saltine. Its not easy being a green consumer, in part because there are these different dimensions of environmental impact. 'Banning plastic bags is great for the world, Right? Single-use plastics seem to be disappearing. I mean, look at all the kids roaming the streets looking for water after eating a single Saltine. Rather than automatically using a bag, just ask the customer for. This episode of The Sweaty Penguin explores a wide range of issues including plastic bag manufacturing and looks at the shortcomings of some proposed solutions. The 13 Best Electric Bikes for Every Kind of Ride, The Best Barefoot Shoes for Walking or Running. Here's How. Eastern Hemlocks Are Declining. Ad Choices, Banning Plastic Bags Is Great for the World, Right? Before I jump in, were trying out a little bit of a different format today. Businesses may be reluctant to engage in default choice modification because customers might not realize the law and think theyre just getting bad service. Not So Fast" by Ben Adler focuses on the states attempting to end giving out plastic bags for free hoping to reduce plastic waste. I know it sounds silly, but it would make a difference. The measure now under consideration in Massachusetts, for example, would mandate that single-use paper bags contain at least 40 percent recycled fiber. On one hand, we are reducing the amount of litter. They were reusing their carry out bags as garbage bags. But what if reusable bags arent good either? Seeing how nuanced this issue is, I asked Dr. Taylor what the next steps could look like. So I was really interested to see what the data would say about this were people having to buy more garbage bags now that the plastic bags that they got from grocery stores were no longer available. Any time someone needs bags, make a trip to the back to get them and have them wait. On the disposal side, single-use plastic bags are currently not recyclable, but thats because the bags are so flimsy they can get caught in the machinery. I guess the name does make sense. The WIRED conversation illuminates how technology is changing every aspect of our livesfrom culture to business, science to design. And you even have some states, at least 17 in the US who have actually banned bag bans, banned regulating bags in general. the Massachusetts State Senate passed a measure that would ban plastic bags from being dispensed by many retail businesses and require a charge of 10 cents or more for a recycled paper or reusable bag. Theres no easy answer, says Eric Goldstein, New York City environment director for the Natural Resources Defense Council, which backed NYCs bag fee. What if they used solar or wind? ETHAN: Another thing I wanted to bring up part of why I was so excited to talk to you is that there is the word behavioral economics in your work. ITS COMPOSTABLE! One reason plastic bags should be banned is that they hurt the environment. ETHAN: When something causes as many issues as plastic bags, it may seem tempting to ban it. But it turns out that charging people to use bags is not the same as paying them to bring reusable bags. According to the Ocean Conservancys 2020 Coastal Cleanup Report, plastic grocery bags ranked number 6 for trash in the ocean. Its like trying to send paper through a really old copier. Choking the oceans with Plastics. Or, another idea, what if plastic could be made directly from carbon dioxide that we suck from the atmosphere? Or do state governments get to say, when local governments do implement the policies, theres a concern that it causes a patchwork of policies that might harm businesses, confused customers. Paper bags do have some pros over plastic theyre biodegradable, recyclable, compostable, reusable, all the fun -ables. ETHAN: That new ban was signed into law on September 30, and the fact that it was in the news goes to show that even with all the other things going on in the world, people are paying attention to this issue. Every so often, our star fires off a plasma bomb in a random direction. Now theres a breakthrough. So were still figuring it out right now, but weve got a great episode for you today. The Massachusetts proposal may not become law this year, but it's the latest sign that the plastic bag industry is losing this war. The adverse impacts of plastic bags are undeniable: When theyre not piling up in landfills, theyre blocking storm drains, littering streets, getting stuck in trees, and contaminating oceans, where fish, seabirds, and other marine animals eat them or get tangled up in them. Animals can become entangled in the bags and drown or mistake the bags for food which can clog their intestines and cause them to starve. Oil and natural gas are also made of carbon and hydrogen, so in addition to using them for energy, we process them into plastic. LASZLO: What I want to know is why I wasnt consulted in inviting this creature into our home. Our world faces increasingly severe hurricanes, wildfires, floods, heat waves, and more, but grocery bags have somehow become one of the hottest environmental topics. YouTube. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. Electrify everything, California says including trucks and trains. How many plastic bags are replaced by one cotton tote bag? ETHAN: Plastic bag bans also can negatively affect businesses. In fact, every region of the US has a different energy mix. Known as one of the greenest commercial buildings in the world, since it opened its doors on Earth Day in 2013 the Bullitt Center has been setting a new standard for sustainable design. CLIP: Its been more than five years since single-use plastic bags like these were banned from grocery stores, a ban advocates say made strides for the environment. The one perk with bans is that its by far the easiest policy to explain and enforce. But that understanding of each bags impact is not taken into account when we make a sweeping plastic bag ban. ETHAN: And that wraps up episode 106 of The Sweaty Penguin. Paper does have its own environmental consequences in terms of how much energy it takes to generate, acknowledges Emily Norton, director of the Massachusetts Sierra Club. How do you tackle microplastics? Its taken long enough. The big difference is that paper does biodegrade eventually. Adler, Ben. Thats primarily because more energy is required to produce and transport paper bags. Its what we put in the bag at the grocery store that really matters.. How bad was Tucker Carlson for the planet. What she finds is actually leave the bag bonuses really dont have an effect. Banning Plastic Bags Is Great for the World, Right? Not So Fast by John Stossel | May 5, 2020. Others, like in New York City, treat all single-use bags equally. The ideal city bag policy would probably involve charging for paper and plastic single-use bags, as New York City has decided to do, while giving out reusable recycled-plastic bags to those who need them, especially to low-income communities and seniors. I took a look at a 2017 Congressional Report which found the petrochemical industry was, at the time, pursuing 48 new plastics-related projects in the Houston area. Anything thats not zero gets, you know a pretty big impact. Again, Im not referring to carbon emissions, Im talking nitrous oxide, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, smog, Sagittariuses, really bad stuff. The adverse impacts of plastic bags are undeniable: When theyre not piling up in landfills, theyre blocking storm drains, littering streets, getting stuck in trees, and contaminating oceans, where fish, seabirds, and other marine animals eat them or get tangled up in them. If a plastic bag is reused in the home as the garbage bag in a bathroom waste bin, does that reduce its footprint by eliminating the need for another small plastic garbage bag? Facebook, Follow us on Our best hope the next time Earth is in the crosshairs? ETHAN: I think this paper that you did goes to a larger conversation about plastic because we do often zero in on specific products, will complain about straws or about bags or about bottles. Donate today tohelp keep Grists site and newsletters free. Not So Fast Like cigarettes, plastic bags have recently gone from a tolerated nuisance to a widely despised and discouraged vice. Not good places to be adding more polluting facilities. Anyway, at a cracker plant, they use extreme heat to crack the molecular bonds in the oil or gas to produce a new gas called ethylene. Climate change, they say, isnt the only form of environmental degradation to worry about. ETHAN: After we drill and frack and insert other PG13 sounding term here, we have to actually turn our fossil fuels into polyethylene. What a deal! You would think five cents to reuse a bag would have a state similar behavioral response is five cents to not use a bag to have to pay for than plastic bag. The instinct to favor reusable bags springs from an understandable urge to reduce our chronic overconsumption, but the bags we use are not the big problem. And then sometimes theres these added responses that are unintended. After the break, well discuss where bag bans have shown shortcomings, the pros and cons of other types of grocery bags, and some other solution ideas that havent gained the same level of popularity as Dijon-crusted plastic. California and Hawaii banned them, then New York. To help combat this waste, several American states have enacted bans on plastic grocery bags. Scientists are working on that, and according to a 2021 thesis study from LUT University in Finland, if that process were powered by clean energy, plastic bags made from carbon dioxide could actually be carbon negative. Yeah, that was even rough for my standards. ETHAN: After we drill and frack and insert other PG13 sounding term here, we have to actually turn our fossil fuels into polyethylene. ETHAN: And youve written several papers on plastic bags, Ill start with your paper that won the Journal of Environmental Economics and Managements Best Paper Prize in 2020, which discussed some of the unintended consequences of plastic bag bans. Americans consume more than 10 billion paper bags annually, which is equivalent to 14 million trees. Washington, DCs government estimates that its 5-cent bag tax has led to a 60 percent reduction in the number of these bags being used, although that figure is contested by other sources. Bag bans seem to be all the rage, but its not the only option. Plastic Bags Take Up To 1,000 Years to Decompose. In other words, rather than emitting carbon, they would take carbon out of the atmosphere. And beyond that, ethylene itself is a dangerous pollutant. What I found was a net benefit, we were still reducing more plastic than this rebound effect. You can order the T-shirt plastic bags in wholesale from Bags . If your chief concern is climate change, things get even muddier. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise. Take two minutes, help out the show, and get a shoutout at the end of the show by leaving a five star rating and a review on Apple or Podcast Addict OR join our Patreon at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin. A single mom, or someone working two jobs, is more likely to have to do her shopping in a rush on the way home from work than to go out specifically with a tote bag in hand. There are also policy options that dont involve bans. So thats exactly what I did. Was Implementation the Right Theme for COP27? How many plastic bags are replaced by one cotton tote bag? Come with external costs 9. Fees have a smaller, but still significant, effect. The big difference is that paper does biodegrade eventually. Nielson & Associates Manhasset, NY : Banning Plastic Bags Is Great for the World, Right? NADJA: Where did you get your hands on a peer-reviewed study? . What do they think this is, a Ritz quick scheme? Despite the good intentions of these new rules, plastic bag bans are problematic for a few reasons. The U.S. is the number two producer of polyethylene in the world behind China, and in the U.S., 80 percent of our primary petrochemical supply is in Texas and Louisiana. I hope at least one of those cracked you up. READ MORE. Killing wildlife 5. Course Hero, a tutoring business last valued by investors at $3.6 billion, has cut 15% of staff, or 42 people its first round of layoffs . The larger takeaway is that no bag is free of environmental impact, whether thats contributing to climate change, ocean pollution, water scarcity, or pesticide use. Those are the kinds of topics that I focus on in my research. [end filter] Never mind, that was underwhelming. Right now! Its vital reporting made entirely possible by loyal readers like you. And do you think that it is more broadly true that cracking down on one specific plastic product can have rebound effects with other plastic products, or is this maybe a more isolated case that you found? Advocates for plastic bag bans often neglect to ask what will replace plastic bags and what the environmental impact of that replacement will be. In that case, it was the simple act of instead of automatically giving customers a straw with their drink, bringing the drink without a straw. Right now, one of the best ways to help Grist continue to thrive is by becoming a monthly member. So paper bag usage did increase quite a bit. And when I no longer had access to those carry out bags, it meant I didnt have this quote unquote, free source of garbage bags anymore. [bell ring] Like blueberries or trips to the bathroom, not all plastics are created equal, and single-use plastic bags are typically made from a material called high-density polyethylene. ETHAN: Obviously, this is a ridiculously nuanced issue, and while it might not be the most pressing concern of our generation, its absolutely worth discussing, especially given how popular the topic has been.
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