The Effects of Plastic Bags on Marine Life

Plastic bags have become the standard of carrying groceries and department store finds. However, plastic bags have had a negative impact on marine life, leading to an increase in both injury and death of several species, most notably the leatherback turtle. While plastic bag use remains the norm, there are successful campaigns working to turn the tide.

History

• In 1982, two major grocery store chains began offering plastic bags in addition to paper. Because of strength and durability, plastic bags took off.

Geography

• It is estimated that at least 100,000 marine animals are lost every year due to plastic bags littering the world's oceans. The reason for most injuries and deaths is the resemblance of plastic bags to jellyfish. Since jellyfish are found in all the oceans of the world, plastic bags ingested by the jellyfish's natural predators affects all sea ecosystems.

Effects

• While leatherback turtles are often the focus because of their endangered status, several species of fish, seabirds and other turtles heavily rely on jellyfish for their food. In viewing the complete food cycle, the effects can have a dramatic effect not only on the higher predators who ingest the bags, but also on the overabundance of jellyfish populations which can occur (see Resources).

Considerations

• It is estimated that a trillion plastic bags are produced and used every year. Only a small percentage of those bags get recycled, leaving the rest in landfills. Rains take the bags to drains, which release them into streams and rivers. The bags eventually end up floating atop the world's oceans.

Solution

• The best solution is foregoing plastic bags for reusable cloth bags. Although getting into the routine can be painstaking at first, the benefits can be seen fairly quickly. In many cities around the world, taxes on plastic bags are forcing consumers to bring their own bags. Those cities are already seeing a difference in the amount of plastic bags taking up landfill space.