Plastic Bags

Biodegradable materials

- Modern bags are made of vegetable-based bioplastics. This form of bag can decay organically and therefore prevents a build-up of toxic plastic bags in landfills and natural environments. Bags can also be made from degradable polyethylene film or from polylactic acid, a biodegradable polymer derived from lactic acid. Although these forms of bag are less toxic and more environmentally friendly they do not readily decompose in sealed landfill. To ensure that biodegradable plastic bags are efficient and successful in decomposing, they must be kept separate from conventional plastic recycle systems. 

- Biodegradable plastics are plastics that decomposed by the action of living organism, typically being bacteria. 

Environmental concerns

- Do not break down easily and therefore are a risk to wildlife and pollution

- Due to their high durability, they can take centuries to decompose

- One of the most prevalent types of litter in inhabited areas

Most plastic shopping bags are not accepted by curbside recycling programs and are therefore not recycled. This is due to the problems that can be caused when sorting through the plastics - clogging up wheels or belts, as well as being confused for paper and therefore contaminating the pulp that is later produced. Many larger supermarket stores offer recycling facilities however this is not largely publicised and therefore many are not aware of this facility. 

This highlights how environmentally unfriendly plastic bags are however how very easily they can be recycled in an effective and therefore efficient way. Many UK households are under the illusion that if they put the plastic bags in the recycling bin then they will be recycled. However, this is only the case in some locations and depends heavily on the facilities that the council have. If the public were made more aware of the facilities that larger supermarkets have in recycling the plastic carrier bags that they sell and give to their customers, then this would widely contribute to the recycling of the plastic. This would in turn, reduce the amount of plastic bags in landfill and therefore reducing the negative environmental effects.