Every single year, roughly 100 billion plastic bags are used in the United States. The average person uses between 350 and 500 plastic grocery bags annually and a significant percentage of those bags end up being improperly disposed of and left to rot in landfills around the coast.
One of the most important benefits of reusable bags is the environmental advantage. Rather than wasting hundreds of bags a year per person, choosing reusable grocery bags will greatly reduce global pollution and even save plenty of wildlife, as so many animals perish each year as a result of ingesting plastic bags.
In New York City, according to the Daily News, Brooklyn Assemblyman Felix Ortiz wants to ban plastic bags altogether.
"It's about time that New York go the ‘full measure’ and join California and over 150 other communities across the United States to take this major step forward to protect the environment," said Ortiz, who first introduced the legislation in 1999.
Ortiz has waited nearly 20 years to really make a push for this bill to come to fruition, but has recently had enough with the environmental dangers that plastic bags pose.
"Disposable plastic bags are a nuisance," he added. "They litter our streets and subways and are clearly harmful to nature. Let’s stop debating taxes over these bags and do the right thing — eliminate them completely."
The Village Voice reports that despite the significant environmental concerns pertaining to plastic bags, there are still economic issues involved with an all out ban, which is why state lawmakers have to proceed with caution.
"There are a lot of complicated issues," said New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. "We're going through it and we'll have a decision soon."
The legislation to instate a fee for plastic bags is now in the hands of Cuomo after reaching various chambers of government throughout the years. The decision is expected to be made this year.
Whether lawmakers make it official or not, it's time to start thinking more about our world and less about minor conveniences. If you want to better the environment and use reusable grocery bags, contact Holden Bags today.
