U.N. environment chief urges global ban on plastic bags

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/environment/story/69691.html


Single-use plastic bags, a staple of American life, have got to go, the United Nations' top environmental official said Monday.

Although recycling bags is on the rise in the United States, an estimated 90 billion thin bags a year, most used to handle produce and groceries, go unrecycled. They were the second most common form of litter after cigarette butts at the 2008 International Coastal Cleanup Day sponsored by the Ocean Conservancy, a marine environmental group.

"Single use plastic bags which choke marine life, should be banned or phased out rapidly everywhere. There is simply zero justification for manufacturing them anymore, anywhere," said Achim Steiner, executive director of the U.N. Environment Programme. His office advises U.N. member states on environmental policies.
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I'll second that

Toronto has a charge of five cents for every plastic bag at the grocers or anywhere else. I prefer to take my own bags, and have for years. I see most people following suit at the moment....carry bags have become an accessory!

Britain managed to cut out five billion plastic carry bags last year. Maybe we can manage several times that if we work on it.

buried in a landfill and disappear within a year. They're called BIOBAGS: http://www.biobagusa.com/

BioBag products are certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute to meet the ASTM D6400 specification. The BPI logo is shown at the bottom of this page. Always look for the logo to assure the products you buy are truly biodegradable and compostable.

BioBag products meet the new California law, SB 1749, for biodegradable and compostable product claims.

BioBags are certified GMO Free. Furthermore, we only source corn from countries that do not allow GMO testing.

No polyethylene is used in the production of BioBags.

BioBags are DEN certified for restricted use of metals in our soy-based inks and dyes.

BioBags are shelf stable, just like paper plates or paper towels. There are no chemical additives to enhance decomposition. The bags biodegrade naturally when expose to the earth’s elements and micro-organisms in the soil.

BioBags “breathe”, which allows heat and moisture to escape or evaporate. This feature reduces bacterial build-up of collected waste, thus reducing odor.

BioBags will decompose in a controlled composting environment in 10-45 days, leaving no harmful residues behind.

BioBags will decompose in a natural setting at an extended rate comparable to other naturally biodegradable materials, such as paper, leaves and food waste.

BioBags will biodegrade in both fresh and salt water. Australian studies suggest decomposition occurs between 8-14 months. We do not support placing any material in our oceans, lakes or waterways.

Several stores in our area carry them. We already take our own shopping bags, but still use plastic bags for pet clean up, & household recycling/garbage. These sound like our next small contribution to the environment.

:thumbsup:

is kitchen trash - and because we can recycle so much here in Portland ME (they gave us recycling bins that are bigger than trash bins) I only use a few a month. The money saved on trash bags from recycling everything possible is incredible. I used to go through three or four trash bags (at least) a week and would have to restock the trash bags once a month, now I have the roll for months at a time.