President's Column-- the Paper vs. Plastic Conundrum

Climate change is real and plastic bags help cause it.  While policymakers at the federal level waffle about what to do about it, we can make a big difference at the local level. 

As with all good ideas, banning plastic bags has generated controversy, even among environmentalists.  Controversy keeps activists on their toes and forces them to answer important questions.  It can also produce propaganda that confuses the issue and blurs the facts.  There are a lot of valid questions as well as propaganda about plastic bags recently that require clarification.  Here are some of the biggies:

They are both bad for the environment.  Depending on the measure you use, either of them could come up as the worst culprit.  Paper bags use less energy, generate less waste, and produce fewer emissions than plastic bags.  Plastic bags, on the other hand, can take hundreds of years to decompose while, in the meantime, tiny toxic bits seep into soil and water.  Fish, birds, and turtles die from ingesting plastic bags.  Plastic bags litter habitat for birds and other wildlife.

However, this argument is not relevant to the plastic bag ban.  Increasing reliance on paper bags is not the intention of a plastic bag ban.  Rather, the ban is a step in progressing toward the use of reusable bags.  The ultimate goal of the plastic bag ban is to end the "paper vs. plastic" conundrum and provide the most environmental alternative.

I can’t be bothered with remembering to take reusable bags to the grocery store.  Aren’t plastic bags more convenient?

Sure, plastic bags are convenient.  Many of our conveniences are at the expense of the environment.  But it’s not like quitting smoking, it's just a matter of changing a tiny part of your routine.  Once you make a personal committment, it becomes easy to remember.  Once I made the commitment, I never once forgot to take reusable bags with me.  I keep them by the front door, so it’s convenient.  I also keep one at work in case I want to stop by the store on the way home.  It took zero days for me to permanently alter my routine.  If you drive, keep some bags in your trunk.   

No.  The opposition says that paper bags are more expensive for the stores, which in turn would pass the expense along to the consumer.  Again, the purpose is not to increase the use of paper but to switch to reusable bags.  This would prevent stores from having to provide free bags of any kind.

Moreover, reusable bags are inexpensive and the point is that you only have to buy them once.  As icing on the cake, Giant provides a three-cent refund for each reusable bag you use per visit.  Three cents isn’t much, but it wouldn’t take long to pay off the small cost of purchasing reusable bags.  Even better, don’t pay a dime for them—I have 6 reusable bags at home and I didn’t pay for a single one of them:  reusable tote bags are given out at so many events for free. 

Believe it or not, this is a common fear.  This question actually came from a member of my family.  She wanted to help the environment by taking her own bags, but she complained that others were looking at her funny like she was some sort of liberal lunatic.  Well, for those fashion conscious grocery shoppers, there is a solution!  The famous designer (well, I’ve never heard of her, but that doesn’t mean anything), Anya Hindmarch, has produced a women’s handbag that is flying off the shelves around the world.  Across the front of the bag is written largely, “I am NOT a plastic bag.”  Sales of the bag have skyrocketed across the world, spurring overpriced eBay auctions and the production of cheap knock-offs.  The purpose of designing the bag, according to Hindmarch, was to make it cool, fashionable, and trendy to save plastic bags.  So if you are among those who use materialism to define your image, you should be one the most staunch supporters of the ban-- if the bags are banned, then everyone will be using reusables and you will have been the trend-starter! 

I would like to help, but can we really get a banned passed?

Absolutely!  Bans have already been passed in several cities and even entire countries!  Our local campaign is supported by a successful worldwide movement.  So, you feel like taking reusable bags the next time you go to the grocery store?  You feel like decreasing climate change in your city?  You’re not alone!  Several local organizations, including DC Audubon, Anacostia Watershed Society, Friends of Kingman Park, and Friends of Rock Creek’s Environment are all on board to clean up our city and promote the end of plastic bags in DC grocery stores. 

Our campaign is also strengthened by the path paved by other cities.  Right next door, Annapolis may become the second US city to ban the bags.  Alderman Shropshire of Annapolis has introduced legislation that would ban plastic check-out bags in Annapolis.  The legislation is supported by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Sierra Club Anne Arundel.  At the July 2007 public hearing, I testified before the Annapolis City Council, letting them know that DC was watching them because what happens in Annapolis will impact what can happen in cities all over the country.  A strong ban in Annapolis will set a precedent that can benefit the movement in DC.  The worldwide movement has become a hot topic locally and you can hear Alderman Shropshire discuss it on the Diane Rehm Show.

How will the ban work?

Cities and countries are using a variety of methods.  Food Lion in Frederick, MD charges a fee but provides free used cardboard boxes.  Ireland charges a tax.  San Francisco requires compostable plastic.  Ikea charges a fee.  My personal view is that a plastic bag fee makes the most sense.  It leaves the option of using a plastic bag, while providing an incentive to bring your own bag.  Every once in awhile, I do opt for a plastic bag because I know I can put it to good use at home as a trash bag or to carry around my dirty boots.  I wouldn’t mind paying a fee, especially since it is offset by the reusable bag refund I get from Giant.  A fee could also offset the concerns about increased costs to grocery stores.  Or—even better—the fee could go toward environmental purposes, further increasing the benefit to the environment.

Where do I sign up?
Join DC Audubon and others across the world in using reusable bags!  Click here to learn more about the issue, sign the online petition, or send a letter to Mayor Fenty and Councilman Graham!