Law banning the use of plastic bags mulled

A CITY councilor is mulling to file a resolution discouraging the use of plastics in grocery stores.

Councilor President Elipe, chair of the City Council committee on Environment and Natural Resources, said this is one measure that would protect the city’s environment and ecological reserves.

Elipe urged residents to use eco bags instead of non-biodegradable plastic shopping bags.

“I have already met with the representatives of Robinsons, Ororama, Gaisano and SM City to finalize the design of the proposed eco bag,” he said.

Elipe added that the finalized design of the eco bag will be launched in different malls next week.

He said the move is in line with his advocacy to replace non-biodegradable plastic shopping bags with reusable environment-friendly bags.

“A reusable shopping bag, which is sometimes called bag of life, is a type of shopping bag which can be reused several times. This is an alternative to single use paper or plastic bags as it is often made from fabric such as canvas, woven synthetic fibers or a thick plastic that is more durable than disposable plastic bags thus allowing multiple uses,” Elipe said.

According to studies, reusable shopping bags require more energy to produce than common plastic bags.

One reusable bag requires the same amount of energy as an estimated 28 traditional plastic shopping bags or eight paper bags.

Elipe said it was also found out that when compared to a traditional plastic bag, a canvas or cotton reusable bag can be reused for up to 171 times to offset the higher carbon emissions.

He said the average cotton bag is used only 51 times before being thrown away.

“This would somehow encourage Kagay-anons to do their part in saving the environment,” Elipe said.