Here's how plastic bags impact the environment

In this Our Changing Climate environmental video essay, I look at the environmental impact of plastic bags. Specifically, I look at how plastic bags affect oceans via microplastics, their carbon footprint, and I also try to understand whether reusable bags are viable alternatives.

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Resources:
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Music:

2. Midnight by Silent Partner

3. All the Answers by Lee Rosevere

#climatechange #plasticbags #ourchangingclimate

[granky_]

So wait there are people who throw away their plastic bags once they get home from the store and don't ever re-use then again? Like you don't have a drawer in your kitchen where you put all you plastic bags so you don't have to buy them again or to use them on your bins? They must have grown up in a rich house

[ayramariecheong]

Just found this channel and i’m hooked. Your vids are eye openers to issues i wish everyone on earth should be aware of and taking action on.

[TheKnightXavier]

Clear presentation and a straightforward and fresh point on plastic bag use.

[DJayDiamond]

Also I'm interested in the environmental impact of online shopping vs traditional shopping. Which one is greener?

[billeickman]

That 131 uses is only a grocery trip a week for three years! I've had mine for nearly a decade. I was using a gemline bag twice last week to gather ice and fill a cooler, can't do that with a plastic grocery bag.

[foscorsohil]

That was so eye opening.

Every single human needs to follow this channel. The information is so nicely organized.

[hbarudi]

The plastic bag situation is always out of control. Many times I try to shop without having to use them, but not only the stores include them by default, but it is also being employed as an anti-theft security system where if you have your products in bags, they are not stolen.

[StrazDiscordia]

My parents have been using the same reusable bags for over 25 years and they are still in good condition. I've had my own for about 5 years now and no sign of needing new ones. I also think it's worth mentioning that reusable bags fit many more groceries. Even when doing a large shop with my partner, we usually just carry two bags each. With single use bags, we would probably need at least 4 each Since the cashiers where I live always double bag, that would be about 4 times as many bags each time we would go shopping if we used single use.

[cristianMoon]

I went to ikea and target today and used my own reusable bags 😎😎😎

[TheJoeyPlaysCZ]

Amazing video! Really makes me think about stuff I buy and how I use it.

[ScarecrOmega]

I wonder how bad gift bags are as well, my stock pile of them keeps growing every year even though I tell people I don't want presents.

[carolannepenny]

This video deserves more views :)
The better option is really to avoid plastics as much as possible. Sadly, biodegradable plastics might not be as biodegradable as you might think. The ''biodegradability'' advertised by companies is mostly (by no means have I read enough papers on this topic to call myself an expert) based on lab studies conducted in controlled environments and under optimal conditions that might never be met in the natural environment. Although they are a greener option because they can at least degrade, their cost of production is higher than for those more ''traditionally produced'' plastics. That cost of production is the reason why the most common types of plastics produced are still petroleum based ones like polyethylene and polypropylene.

[wazzupbeckham]

nice, i like the reverse at the end. nice touch

[Sarahlenea]

If, like most ppl, you already have a coton tote bag at home, use that!

[wemcal]

Great video and great information.. I reuse plastic bags in many different ways.. I now use them sealing items and wrapping items around the house and work place..

[dahlia]

And this is why I reuse my plastic bags to make plarn (it’s plastic yarn look it up) and knit my own tote bag from it. 😁

[Mlk-Al-Halabi]

what if everyone was convinced of using one cloth bag for 5 years ? will that be good

[leilanala]

Love videos about environment, I live in a small country surrounded by countries 50 or more times larger than mine, we must by government do many expensive things to stop polluting the environment as waste separated, everything electric etc. separating plastics for instance a quarter cubic meter a month separated means buying quarter cubic meter for the next month because everything from a blister pack of 5 needles till a online bought dog lease + anti worm pils packaged in a separate plastic blister in a 30 x 30 x 30 box filled with plastic bubble wrap, is packaged in plastic or lined with it, Even if we, all 7.5 billion stop today using plastic, it wil effect the planets environment for thousands of years, even if humanity extincts today.
In the meantime our closest neighbours countries do nothing about the environment burning wood and oil stoves, power plants that burn brown coal etc. Do they ( our government) relay thing that a small country like ours makes a cleaner Earth environment if nobody else does?

[shanice]

I'm from Jamaica and at the beginning of january our Government placed a ban on plastic straws, the importation of Styrofoam boxes used for food and single use plastic bags so when we go to the store we get paper bags or clothe bags. i think this is a good step in taking of the environment.

[surfie]

In Australia there is only 1 state that has no sing-use plastic bag ban and all 4 major grocery store chains no longer use single-use plastic bags, instead opting for thicker reusable plastic bags that cost 15 cents each