The end of the plastic bag: a global perspective

Every year, worldwide, is used about a billion plastic bags, which amounts to nearly two million bags every minute. The quantity used features large variations among countries in the world. If the Eastern Europeans use more than 400 plastic bags per year, the Danes and Finns use just four bags per year.

Plastic bags are produced using natural gas and oil, and often are only used once. However, these objects have a lifespan of over 100 years, which means that when they are not reused may affect the environment for more than a century.

Over the last century, the plastic taken from planet Earth. If on one hand the plastic seems to be a miraculous material, with various applications ranging from medical devices to the production of cars, on the other he is something of a curse, that allows the mass production of disposables that fill landfills, pollute the oceans and suffocate wildlife.

Full of additives that do not have a safety record, plastics are associated with a series of health problems, including some forms of cancer and infertility. Although the plastics can used and recycled intelligently, most products made from this material are not used consciously. Perhaps no other subject symbolizes so well the consumerist culture of humanity.

The beginning of the end of the age of plastic

Given the multitude of problems associated with the use of plastic bags, many communities have begun trying to break free of the obsession of plastic bags by implementing restrictions on the use or even the prohibition of these objects. The oldest law concerning the use of plastic bags and 1993 date was implemented in Denmark. The law is aimed at producers of plastic bags you have to pay a fee based on the weight of the bags. Was allowed to pass this increased cost to consumers, either through the collection of bags you want by increasing the price of other products. The initial effect of the law was a 60% decrease in the use of plastic bags.

One of the Government measures concerning the use of the bags is the national Ireland bag tax, adopted in 2002. This tax was the first to be taxing consumers directly, starting at 15 cents per bag. Five months after the measure implementation, utilization, and bags fell 90%. However, over the years, the use of the material is back on the rise and, in 2007, the rate was increased to 22 cents per bag. In 2011, was added a menu to the law in order to restrict the annual use of up to 21 bags per person.

Although the Irish tax being the most well known, there are other European countries where consumers pay for bags â€" either through laws or the initiative of commercial spaces. These countries are Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Netherlands, Latvia and Portugal (where many stores charge for bags). Additionally, Member States of the European Union must implement measures to reduce the use of plastic bags in 80% by 2019, referred to Treehugger.

Concern for animals

Reducing the amount of gift bags on marine ecosystems has been one of the main European concerns the environmental level. In the proposal presented by the European Commission reduction reads that "in the North Sea, the stomachs of 94% of all bird species contain plastics or traces of the material".

This concern with the marine animals took Australia to implement measures in 2003, particularly in Tasmania, due to the migration route of the whales. Currently, half of the Australian States have restrictions on the use of the bags.

In addition to the concerns about marine life, the reasons for the implementation of restrictions on the use of plastic relate to outbreaks of malaria, that are associated with the collection and transport of water in bags in Kenya, but also with the drains clogged by sacks in Bangladesh, Cameroon and the Philippines.

In Texas, United States, various animals began to suffocate after ingesting plastic, which led to the regulation of the use of the bags. In India, the concern is with the cows, considered sacred by the Indians. In the capital of Mauritania, 70% of deaths of cattle are related to the ingestion of plastic bags and in the UAE's concern with the camels.

The most severe measure from all over the world, when it comes to the use of bags, is in Rwanda. Since 2008, the bags were banned and the international passengers coming into the country are obliged to deliver to the authorities all the plastic bags to bring with you. It is not clear, however, the success of the measure, particularly in less urban areas because there is a black market for plastic bags.

In South Africa, where it is possible to find abandoned bags in trees, shrubs and other vegetation, the plastic bag was already dubbed the national flower. In 2003, it was implemented a restriction of the use of thin plastic bags that tear easily and thicker bags are taxed. Other 16 African countries have implemented or measures already announced to ban certain types of plastic bags.

In China, where pollution caused by bags has increased exponentially, there are few cities and provinces which try to limit the use. In 1990, began to limit the use of the bags. However, the measure had no effect. In Latin America there are also some initiatives to reduce waste caused by bags. In Chile, the towns of Pucón and Punta Arenas have banned its use.

In Argentina, the States of Buenos Aires and Mendoza also have banned the bags. In some States of Brazil is only allowed the use of biodegradable plastic bags. In January 2012, Sao Paulo has banned the use of plastic bags little resistant, allowing only those of greater durability, which began to be taxed. However, the measure was eventually abolished by a court that, say environmentalists, have been influenced in its decision by the plastics industry.

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