A quick solution to the energy crisis is precisely in the
bag, says an environmental advocacy group.
In a press statement released in conjunction with the
government-sponsored Energy Summit, the EcoWaste Coalition drew the attention of
policy makers and consumers on one simple yet concrete measure which, if
implemented, will reduce oil consumption amidst rising oil prices.
"Cutting back on the excessive use of plastic carry bags will
lessen the demand for expensive oil as well as minimize the waste and pollution
resulting from the production, consumption and disposal of plastic bags," said
Gigie Cruz of the EcoWaste Coalition’s Task Force on Plastics, adding that "our
voracious consumption of plastic bags is increasing our dependence on imported
oil and polluting the environment."
The eco-group cited the historic decision made by China’s
State Council banning plastic shopping bags in all stores nationwide effective
June1, 2008. This will reportedly save 37 million barrels of crude oil that is
required to manufacture plastic bags that Chinese consumers use every year,
while reducing plastic litter and disposal costs.
San Francisco, a densely populated city of over 740,000
people that consumes up to 200 million plastic bags per year, also took the
decision to ban plastic grocery bags. Supermarkets and pharmacies, beginning
November 2007, are required to use recyclable or compostable sacks in lieu of
plastic bags. The ban is expected to reduce oil consumption by almost 800,000
gallons a year, and reduce as well carbon dioxide emissions by 4.2 million
kilograms annually.
The "plasticization" of our lifestyle, observed the EcoWaste
Coalition, ties into the swelling demand for oil as plastic bags and other
plastic stuff are made of crude oil, natural gas or other petrochemical
byproducts. For plastic bags alone, it is estimated that some 430,000 gallons of
oil are needed to produce 100 million pieces of these omnipresent packaging
items on the planet.
Information obtained from the Worldwatch Institute, an
independent research organization, indicates that plastic factories around the
globe mass-produce 4-5 trillion bags yearly and that consumers throw about 500
billion bags annually. Plastic bags can last for over 1,000 years.
The EcoWaste Coalition identified several levels of
intervention – from voluntary lifestyle changes to policy reforms – that will
dramatically reduce the local consumption of plastics carry bags and also of
fossil fuel that is driving the climate crisis.
Consumers, for instance, should simply say no to plastic bags
and make it a habit to bring reusable bags when they go to the market, mall or
the nearby sari-sari store. They can also use their purchasing power to persuade
stores to stop giving bags for free, or to offer their customers a discount for
not using plastic bags. Consumers can also create their own reusable bags out of
used clothes, curtains and fabric scraps at no cost.
Well-meaning retailers can build on the positive efforts of
National Bookstore, Shoe Mart, Shopwise and other major stores to introduce
reusable bags and help in reducing Pinoy’s plastic bag habit.
Consumers can also lobby local and national authorities to
pass ordinances and laws that will ban plastic bags like what China and San
Francisco did, or impose tax on plastic bags like that in Ireland that resulted
to a 90 percent drop in plastic bag use during the past five years.
At the Senate, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago filed Senate
Bill No. 1443 or the Plastic Bag Recycling Act, while Sen. Manny Villar filed
Senate Bill No. 1802 requiring malls and stores to use environmentally-friendly
shopping bags in place of plastic bags.
At the House of Representatives, Rep. Rufus Rodriguez (2nd
District, Cagayan de Oro City) filed House Bill No. 2512 which would mandate the
use of recyclable or biodegradable materials for the packaging of consumer
products.
"Consumers, of course, need not wait for these bills to be adopted to save on
oil and to protect the environment. Let’s forgo the use of plastic bags now by
reliving our bayong culture, by bringing our own reusable bags, and by simply
saying no to plastic bags and other plastic disposables," the EcoWaste Coalition
said.
