Bags by the Numbers
Each disposable shopping bag is typically used for less than an hour.
Plastic Bag Consumption
1.Year that plastic grocery bags were introduced at supermarkets1: 1977
2.Estimated number of plastic bags used each year, world-wide2: 4,000,000,000,000
3.Number of plastic shopping bags used each year, in the US alone3: 14,000,000,000
4.Percentage of plastic bags returned for recycling2: 1
5.Annual cost to US retailers for giving away "free" bags: $4,000,000,000
6.Barrels of oil required for US annual plastic bag consumption4: 12,000,000
7.Number of marine animals killed each year due to plastic bags5: 100,000
8.Average number of pieces of plastic in each square mile of ocean6: 46,000
1.Year that plastic grocery bags were introduced at supermarkets1: 1977
2.Estimated number of plastic bags used each year, world-wide2: 4,000,000,000,000
3.Number of plastic shopping bags used each year, in the US alone3: 14,000,000,000
4.Percentage of plastic bags returned for recycling2: 1
5.Annual cost to US retailers for giving away "free" bags: $4,000,000,000
6.Barrels of oil required for US annual plastic bag consumption4: 12,000,000
7.Number of marine animals killed each year due to plastic bags5: 100,000
8.Average number of pieces of plastic in each square mile of ocean6: 46,000
Paper Bag Consumption
1.Number of paper bags consumed each year, in the US alone7: 10,000,000,000
2.Number of trees cut down for paper bag consumption, in the US7: 14,000,000
1.Number of paper bags consumed each year, in the US alone7: 10,000,000,000
2.Number of trees cut down for paper bag consumption, in the US7: 14,000,000
Plastic Bags vs. Paper Bags
Plastic bag production creates less waste than paper. However, plastic bags remain with us for a long, long time.
1.Percentage energy savings in making plastics bags, rather than paper bags: 40
2.Percentage in air pollution reduction from making plastic bags: 50
3.Percentage of waste water reduced by making plastic bags: 94
4.Number of years for a plastic bag to biodegrade as litter: 20
5.Number of months for a paper bag to biodegrade as litter: 1
6.Estimated number of years for a plastic bag to biodegrade in a landfill: 1,000
7.Number of years for a paper bag to biodegrade in a landfill: centuries
1.Percentage energy savings in making plastics bags, rather than paper bags: 40
2.Percentage in air pollution reduction from making plastic bags: 50
3.Percentage of waste water reduced by making plastic bags: 94
4.Number of years for a plastic bag to biodegrade as litter: 20
5.Number of months for a paper bag to biodegrade as litter: 1
6.Estimated number of years for a plastic bag to biodegrade in a landfill: 1,000
7.Number of years for a paper bag to biodegrade in a landfill: centuries
Plastic Bag Tax in Ireland
Charging for shopping bags dramatically reduces bag consumption.
1.Percentage of litter in Ireland due to plastic bags, before bag tax: 5
2.Percentage drop in plastic bag consumption in Ireland, after 15-cent bag tax introduced: 90
3.Annual revenue generated by Irish bag tax: €10,000,000 Reduce, reuse, rejoice!
4.Number of plastic bags prevented by the Irish bag tax, annually: 1,000,000,000
1.Percentage of litter in Ireland due to plastic bags, before bag tax: 5
2.Percentage drop in plastic bag consumption in Ireland, after 15-cent bag tax introduced: 90
3.Annual revenue generated by Irish bag tax: €10,000,000 Reduce, reuse, rejoice!
4.Number of plastic bags prevented by the Irish bag tax, annually: 1,000,000,000
The choice is clear: Carry your own bag.
-Si Ting
NIce blog..
ReplyDeleteI've got some pictures abt save the earth..
later i send it to u..
There a trouble been bothering me for a long time . How come some other sountries can success in having not to use plastic bags on some days in a supermarket and Singapore CAnt do it ?
ReplyDeleteWhy every wednesday the supermarket does not uses the plastic bags,and ash we to bring our own paper bag or plastic bag?It is so troublesome,but at least it helps to "save" more plastic bags.
ReplyDeleteDid you know that leaving the light on for an hour is BETTER than flicking it on and off continuosly for half an hour? So make up your mind whether you want to use the light.
ReplyDelete