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After Effects of Polyethylene Bags

Debris from plastics is a major environmental concern. Polyethylene bags are distributed by many retail businesses and used for waste collection by several municipalities. However, these bags can take years to degrade in landfills and pose a threat to the environment due to their potential to release contaminants into soils and aquatic habitats.

  1. Microorganisms for the Degradation of Bags

    • A report in the February 2011 issue of Current Opinions in Biotechnology stated that the U.S. produces more than 140 million tons of polyethylene bags per year, of which only five percent are recycled. The authors further stated that this amount imposes a major impact on the environment since polyethylene is practically inert. The article concludes that the use of microorganisms to degrade the plastics within landfills is a viable option and should produce beneficial long-term effects.

    Degradation of Polyethylene Bags

    • The use of disposal polyethylene bags poses a significant impact on the health of aquatic environments. However, recently developed biodegradable bags present an option to combat this problem. A study published in the December 2010 issue of Marine Pollution Bulletin compared the lifespan of biodegradable bags to standard polyethylene bags in an experimental compost. The authors found that oxo-biodegradable bags completely disintegrated after 16 to 24 weeks in the compost, but more than 98 percent of the polyethylene bags remained after 40 weeks.

    Heavy Metal Contamination

    • Polyethylene bags are used in many communities for the collection of yard waste. However, a study in the August 2010 issue of Waste Management noted that many of these bags have heavy metal contents that are unsuitable for disposal in landfills. The authors stated that too much concern is given to the use of the bags without consideration of the environmental impact. The article concludes that the heavy metal content of the trash bags should be taken into account to avoid heavy metal environmental contamination.

    Regulation of Polyethylene Bags

    • In some countries, the discontinuance of plastic bags is deemed more politically correct than environmentally detrimental. An article appearing in the July 2009 issue of Waste Management stated that polyethylene bags are excessively reused. Therefore, they do not pose a substantial environmental risk. The study called for an educational program to bring awareness to the trend of plastic-based pollution, as opposed to banning the use of the bags or imposing a user fee.

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