IT WASN’T until yesterday that I again took notice of the change that’s been happening in the city-the banning of the usage of plastic bags.
I was walking in the streets of Cogon Market, on my way to the jeepney terminal when I noticed the sight of buyers bringing with them eco bags. This could really get your attention, since plastic bags are what we have been using for the longest time to contain and transport products. Although this is not a total ban of cellophane usage, the prohibition of common plastic bags is a great effort to start the year right.
So, we ask ourselves this question, why is there a need to ban the use of plastic bags?
A plastic bag takes 1,000 years to decompose. During its decomposition it breaks into little particles that go down the earth, which in return contaminates our food and drink.
Plastic bags usually weight light, which makes it easy to travel in long distances and in return pollutes both land and water.
Plastic bags are made of polyproline, a material that uses both petroleum and natural gas, which are nonrenewable fossil fuel-based materials. Greenhouse gases are formed through its extraction and production which then contributes to global warming.
It harms both wild and marine life. Plastics can be mistaken for food by animals. Once ingested, can no longer be digested thus it stays on the gut of the animal.
Plastic affects human health. Chemicals that are added in it can be absorbed by our bodies and it can possibly affect us.
Drainage systems can also get clogged by plastic bags.
These are just some of the effects of the continuous use of plastic in our environment. These are even just to name a few.
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I was cringing, while writing and doing my research for this article. This made me ponder how much plastics has harmed our environment, and it’s time to put this realization into action. Let’s start with small steps in keeping our environment clean.
Hopefully, this city ordinance on plastic banning will last and will not just be another project that will fade away through time. Fingers crossed.