To Bag or Not to Bag: Paper, Plastic or No Bags

Sep 242014

One person’s dream is another person’s nightmare. One person’s life blood is another person’s death. I have a vision, yet I am blind. I hear a voice, yet I am deaf. This is the schizophrenic mentality that illustrates the utilization of bags in society. Therefore, it is time for one man to step forward and offer his thoughts on the subject. Some folks may yowl in rage, while others may scoff or visibly weep. This matters not, for a good portion of the population knows not what it does.

It is reasonable to conjecture that the concept of the bag was initially conceived out of the necessity to transport an item of mass from one place to another. However, this seemingly simple premise has been subjected to venomous mockery, as it has undergone a casuistic transformation in its implementation. The result is the crisis which now throws a dark shadow over the continued existence of all living species.

Essentially, bags gain entrance into society either through their direct purchase or by means of an incidental commercial transaction. In the latter case, the bag is assigned the role of assisting with the transportation of the newly acquired item. Unfortunately, any concern registered over the underlying necessity of the bag itself, appears to be a thought of yesterday. It is with far too much regularity that a bag is summoned to duty when there is simply no justification for its usage. There are countless scenes of bags in action, carrying only several manageable items within their depths. Additionally, it is with alarming frequency that singularly large and bearable commodities are witnessed being whisked away in a bag. Both of these situations are perpetually allowed to occur, despite the fact that no yield of convenience is reaped by proceeding in this fashion.

The Cowardly Lion traveled to Oz in search of courage. Now it is time for people to retrace this maned creature’s footsteps and seek out responsibility when obtaining new merchandise. It is with a sense of moral urgency that a stand of personal accountability is adhered to. No longer can wasteful enlistments of bags be allowed to continue.

Where do bags go after they are set forth into the societal domain? Often, if a bag is issued inappropriately, it is prematurely discarded prior to its arrival at the intended destination. Consequently, large proportions of these bags become homeless on the streets and are forced to adopt the identity of litter. However, those bags which are permitted to complete their course of transportation often come to rest in a household. It is here that they are united with legions of their kinfolk.

The bags, because of their strength in numbers, can eventually overwhelm and paralyze even the most fortified of homes. Consequently, cohabitation can become at least an unpleasant experience, if not completely dilapidating to the structure of an efficiently and effectively maintained home. Once the point of infestation is at hand, the dwellers of the domicile are faced with a difficult and menacing decision. Do they sink with their ark or should they implement a plan of mass destruction upon the invading bags. Often, if the latter option is exercised, the bags are rounded up and casually thrown into the garbage can, which ironically is usually lined with a bag. This particular means of slaughter inevitably takes the environment as its victim, for it is no secret that the precious landfills have reached their capacity and are pleading not to be fed anymore.

The quality of bags plays an important part in aiding and abetting the continued misuse of bags today. It is a fact, a multitude of bags are manufactured in a manner that renders them incapable of executing their primary function of transportation. This is demonstrated by the ever increasing need to tote items in two bags instead of just one. Additionally, the bag creating businesses have so little confidence in their product; they mostly opt to package their merchandise in box instead of a bag.

Today, especially in supermarkets, a big push is underway to intimidate shoppers to employ plastic bags rather than their paper counterparts. The logic being; the plastic version is easier on the environment. However, this argument, though sound in theory, has failed miserably in its practical application. There are two basic reasons for this. First, often the plastic bag is less durable then the paper bag, which results in a breakage rate that is entirely unacceptable, though paper bags have become noticeably weaker in recent times. Second, the plastic variety is not able to physically transport as much mass as its paper rival, which necessitates the use of a greater number of bags. Accordingly, both of these shortcomings create problems relating to the increased number of wasted bags.

Fairness dictates that it is mentioned, there have been additional attempts made to sway the tide of the bag crisis. However, they have been both minimal in number and meager in substance. These tactics have included the following. First, a new breed of sturdy reusable bags, made of cloth or mesh, has steadily become available in stores. However, these particular bags are quite expensive. Thus, a fair sized investment is necessary in order to prepare for hearty shopping excursions. Second, some shopping facilities have instituted a monetary refund for all ordinary bags that are reused in their store. The standard rebate is quite tiny on a per bag basis. These options, though thoughtful, have yet to be fully embraced by the public. This is demonstrated by the visual rarity of people utilizing any of these mechanisms now at their disposal.

However, credit must be given to those that deserve it. There are people, though few in number, who have adopted these concepts. Additionally, there are those individuals who remain conscientious about the environment and are careful not to discard bags excessively. These folks should be acknowledged and commended for their efforts. Accordingly, it is not meant to minimize their efforts when it is stated; unless everyone is willing to commit to mending their ways in both their usage and disposal of bags, those who have made or those who will make the effort will ultimately have this effort reduced to only a token gesture of good faith.

Originally published on Associated Content / Yahoo Contributor Network (YCN) on March 26, 2009