Verdict of the Week


Plastic Carrier Bags

The debate over whether to ban plastic carrier bags, or not, is a contentious one on many levels. The environmentalists argue that the bags litter the streets, pollute the seas, endanger wildlife and take hundreds of years to decompose.

The manufacturers, on the other hand, claim that they are more environmentally friendly than any of the proposed alternatives - like the bag for life or paper bag options as it is re-usable and re-cyclable. They say that the stronger plastic bags either take longer to decompose, use much more energy to produce and are heavier to transport, and some even give off noxious gases as they decompose. They also report that the paper bag alternative takes up much more space, is more expensive to transport and produces waste gases on decomposition and destroys trees in the process. They also point out that they are only using a waste product from the oil industry, which would otherwise be blown off and cause much worse emissions into the environment.

Both sides of this campaign can then counter attack both of these arguments and are able to produce impressive statistics to support both of their arguments whilst citing a different set of figures to undermine the other side of the argument. It is easy to see why so many people are unsure as to the truth of the matter.

Of course, eCourt is not a specialist adviser in the decomposition and breakdown of oil and plastics derivatives with regard to the environment, nor does it claim to have extensive knowledge of the oil and plastics industry. But our team has read and researched many articles on both of these matters and it has been fiercely and passionately debated.

There is obviously a very strong and heart-felt movement against carrier bags at the moment, but in eCourt's opinion, most of this is based more on passion for the environment than analysis of the facts. It appears that most of the general public opinion is based on nothing more than a desire to see less litter on our streets and a willingness to be seen to be part of the Green movement. And although eCourt fully encourages the Green ideals, in the name of impartiality, we have to be seen to do so on a more informed level than that of the heart.

What is clear is, that no matter which side of the argument you lean towards, there is definitely a need for us to take more responsibility for the impact that our everyday living has on the environment. Whilst it was clear that everyone at eCourt was passionately in favour of reducing litter and waste in the environment, it was generally agreed that carrier bags themselves were not the sole cause of litter. It is humans that cause the litter.

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