Plastic pollutes population

 

Environmentalists are trying to make people aware of the negative impact of plastic bags on the environment and human beings.

According to research, Canadians are using between nine and fifteen billion plastic bags per year. The plastic bags often end up in rivers, lakes and landfill sites.

Samantha Keller is an educational educator at the Essex Region Conservation Authority.

“I think the plastic problem is due to the convenience lifestyle of people,” said Keller. “Some people usually walk in to a store without bringing reusable bags. In the grocery store, they always have plastic bags available.”

Generally, she said she is receiving a good response from people, but it takes time to deliver the awareness message to the population. For example, a person who goes grocery shopping might not care about reusable bags but are happy to save money and so they use reusable bags. She said it depends on the person.

“Our organization is providing knowledge to students about the bad impact of plastic bags through subjects in elementary and high schools. Most importantly, we want to talk about the importance of the ecosystem to human beings. There are not only plastic bags that put a bad impact on the environment but also waste.”

Marina Deslippe,52, is an educational assistant at the Windsor-Essex Catholic School Board. She is the mother of three children. She is also one of the consumers of the plastic bags.

“I use plastic bags daily at home in my garbage pails but at the grocery store I alternate between plastic or reusable bags,” said Deslippe. “I know it is bad for the environment. I am trying to be aware of that when I use my reusable bags.”

For grocery shopping, she prefers reusable bags because she found she can carry them easier and she can pack things tighter inside of them. She said she is stuck in the habit of using plastic bags for her waste.

“Plastic bags are bad for the environment because they do not break down,” said Deslippe. “They need to come up with something that is going to break down. Like in the past we used paper bags which was wonderful. I found them stronger. They need a great replacement which can be more friendly for the earth.”

According to Keller, people use plastic bags for convenience. They are in a hurry and forget to take their reusable bags. She said she does the same thing all the time.

“I look forward to a time when they can use earth-friendly items that would be cost effective for people because they often make things, but they are just not economical and it is too expensive to continue using the plastic,” said Deslippe.