5 Per Cent Charge on Plastic Bags Essay

Document Type:Essay

Subject Area:Literature

Document 1

This law requires that retailers charge an extra 5 cent fee on both plastic and paper carry-out bags (Farrell). The purpose of this essay is to argue whether or not stores should impose the 5-cent charge for each plastic bag. In order to arrive at a conclusion, I will consider pros and cons of the 5-cent charge and thus divide the essay into two arguments; one in support of the charge and the other opposing the 5-cent charge. I will then conclusively pick a side as to whether stores should impose the charge on plastic bags. Even though plastic bags are generally a danger to the environment, their benefits cannot be overlooked. Additionally, as a cashier, I have noticed plastic bags take up less space than paper bags at the cashier point and in storage.

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In contrast, paper and cloth bags are heavier and take up more space in storage and at the cashier point. Apart from being used as shopping bags, plastic bags are multipurpose products. However, plastic bags have several disadvantages that over the time have outweighed the pros leading to global advocacy for their reduction and elimination. A research by the University of Queensland has revealed that a significant number of cows die annually as a result of consuming plastic bags (Evans). Therefore, the available home solution is to burn them. Moreover, plastic bags may break down into micro-plastics. These micro-plastics get consumed by small insects, fish and micro-organisms. Through bioaccumulation, people end up consuming the micro-plastics. Research by scientists has revealed that plastics and other toxins increase in concentration with the rise in the food chain.

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Some of these mosquitos carry with them the Triple E Virus or even the West Nile Virus (Evans). It’s therefore clear that the disadvantages of plastic bags have a bigger negative impact on the environment and lives in general and thus, the 5-cent charge is a right policy in curbing the menace. Nevertheless, most plastic materials are recyclable. Therefore, recycling goes a long way in positively impacting our environment. EPA has over the years been advocating for the need to recycle plastic material in order to reduce the environmental pollution.  Plastic Bags: Reducing Their Use through Regulation and Other Initiatives. Parliamentary Information and Research Service, 2016. Evans, Poppy, et al.  The Graphic Design Reference & Specification Book. Rockport, 2013. ” BBC News, BBC, 22 Sept.

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