Say NO To Plastic Bags

It takes about 430,000 gallons of oil to produce 100 million non-degradable plastic bags. And 4 to 5 trillion plastic bags are used worldwide annually.

Importantly, only 1-2 percent of plastic bags are recycled, the rest end up in landfills polluting the soil and water, where they pose a serious danger for wild animals and birds.

Then….. Where Do They Go?

Once let loose into the environment, plastic bags can cause considerable harm, blocking drains and suffocating wildlife mistaking the bag for food. Plastic poses a threat to the environment because it is not biodegradable.

…..to different parts of our lands

…..and to our seas, lakes and rivers.

Birds become entangled

Plastic bags find their way into the sea or rivers via drains & sewage pipes

Plastic Bag made out of low density polyethylene, they are among the products that are most commonly used by consumers due to their light weight, availability, low cost and huge variety of types.

The effect on wildlife can be catastrophic. Nearly 200 species of sea life including corals, whales, dolphins, and turtles die due to plastic bags

They often choke to death ingestion plastic bags which they mistake for jellyfish, their favourite food

So…. What do we do?

If we use cloth bag, we can save 6 bags a week

That’s 24 a month

That’s 288 bags a year

That’s 22,176 bags in an average life time

If just 1 out of 5 people did this we will save 4,435,200,000,000 bags over our life time

Plastic shopping bags are made from Polyethylene: a thermoplastic are made from petroleum product

Reduce plastic bags will decrease oil dependency

Canada, Kenya, South Africa, Singapore and many other world over have banned or are moving toward banning the plastic bags!

Changing The World One Plastic Bag At A Time

You Can Make A Difference!

Plastic bags are made of polyethylene Polyethylene is a petroleum product Production contributes to air pollution and energy consumption Four to five trillion plastic bags are manufactured each year Americans use over 380 billion polyethylene bags per year Americans throw away approximately 100 billion polyethylene bags per year Of those 100 trillion plastic bags, 1% are recycled It takes 1000 years for polyethylene bags to break down As polyethylene breaks down, toxic substances leach into the soil and enter the food chain Approximately 1 billion seabirds and mammals die per year by ingesting plastic bags Plastic bags are often mistaken as food by marine mammals. 100,000marine mammals die yearly by eating plastic bags. These animals suffer a painful death, the plastic wraps around their intestines or they choke to death Plastic bag choke landfills

Reuse and reuse. don't just throw away the plastic bag you get from stores, stash it and carry it for the next time you go shopping. When out shopping, if its just for one or two items, don't accept a plastic bag. When shopping at more than one store, try putting everything in one bag instead of accepting huge plastic bag with a small item. Don't buy mineral water bottles if you can carry your own water. Don't invest in garbage bags, use from the numerous bags you have hung up behind your kitchen door. Simply say NO to plastic.

MinDev launches ‘No Plastic for Earth Day’ Apr 1st, 2010  BRUNEI will continue its momentum with environmental causes with the Ministry of Development yesterday launching its “No Plastic Day” campaign. No Plastic day - May 3 Hj Mohd Rozan showing a sample of reusable bags to be distributed to shoppers. – The upcoming week-long customer day held annually by the Ministry of Development (MoD) will feature activities for the public to promote environmental awareness, the media was told during a press conference yesterday. Another unique feature this year is the “No Plastic Day” on May 3, where three shopping outlets, Hua Ho (Kiulap), Supasave (Beribi) and Giant Hypermarket will provide and promote the use of “reusable bags” at their respective outlets. Other shopping outlets, including small ones have been urged to join the initiative in order to help reduce plastic wastes in the country. news.brunei.fm/2010/.../mindev-launches-no-plastic-for-earth-day/