Why we must push for no more single use plastic bags Ditch The Plastic! Why we must push for no more single use plastic bags

Quick Review…

Quick Review… Invented around 1950

Invented around 1950 Not in common use until the mid 1980’s Quick Review… Invented around 1950 Not in common use until the mid 1980’s

Quick Review… Invented around 1950 Not in common use until the mid 1980’s The ‘self opening’ polyethylene bag introduced in the early 1990’s

Now Today, estimates range from 500 BILLION to 1 TRILLION plastic bags are used annually world- wide

Per Capita estimates in various countries:- Now Per Capita estimates in various countries:-

Per Capita estimates in various countries:- China 2-3 Now Per Capita estimates in various countries:- China 2-3

Per Capita estimates in various countries:- China 2-3 Denmark 4 Now Per Capita estimates in various countries:- China 2-3 Denmark 4

Now Per Capita estimates in various countries:- China 2-3 Denmark 4 Ireland 20

Now Per Capita estimates in various countries:- China 2-3 Denmark 4 Ireland 20 Germany 65

Now Per Capita estimates in various countries:- China 2-3 Denmark 4 Ireland 20 Germany 65 USA more than 300!!!!!

Huge cost of manufacture Cost To Produce Huge cost of manufacture

Cost To Produce Huge cost of manufacture To produce the 100 billion plastic bags used annually in the USA…

Cost To Produce Huge cost of manufacture To produce the 100 billion plastic bags used annually in the USA… 2 billion pounds of fossil fuel

Cost To Produce Huge cost of manufacture To produce the 100 billion plastic bags used annually in the USA… 2 billion pounds of fossil fuel 4 billion gallons of water

Cost Of Disposal Huge cost of disposal

Cost Of Disposal Huge cost of disposal Retailers spend some $4 billion a year to buy single use plastic bags

Cost Of Disposal Huge cost of disposal Retailers spend some $4 billion a year to buy single use plastic bags Which results in higher consumer costs

Cost Of Disposal Huge cost of disposal Retailers spend some $4 billion a year to buy single use plastic bags Which results in higher consumer costs Disposal costs to authorities is in the $ billions globally

Thousands of years to decompose Environmental Impact Thousands of years to decompose

Environmental Impact Thousands of years to decompose Photodegradation creates miniscule toxic particles

Environmental Impact Thousands of years to decompose Photodegradation creates miniscule toxic particles Which pollute streams, rivers, bays and oceans

Environmental Impact Thousands of years to decompose Photodegradation creates miniscule toxic particles Which pollute streams, rivers, bays and oceans Which kill marine animals & birds

Environmental Impact

Environmental Impact Thousands of years to decompose Photodegradation creates miniscule toxic particles Which pollute streams, rivers, bays and oceans Which kill marine life And which return to the human food chain

Durable, long lasting reusable bags Alternatives Durable, long lasting reusable bags

Durable, long lasting reusable bags Practical Alternatives Durable, long lasting reusable bags Practical

Durable, long lasting reusable bags Practical Strong Alternatives Durable, long lasting reusable bags Practical Strong

Alternatives Durable, long lasting reusable bags Practical Strong Hold more groceries, securely

Alternatives Durable, long lasting reusable bags Practical Strong Hold more groceries, securely DON’T TOPPLE OVER IN THE CAR

Alternatives Durable, long lasting reusable bags Practical Strong Hold more groceries, securely DON’T TOPPLE OVER IN THE CAR And are multi purpose

Alternatives

California banned plastic bags in 2014 Conclusions California banned plastic bags in 2014

Conclusions California banned plastic bags in 2014 Many municipalities have now banned plastic bags

Conclusions California banned plastic bags in 2014 Many municipalities have now banned plastic bags Resulting in dramatic litter reduction

Conclusions California banned plastic bags in 2014 Many municipalities have now banned plastic bags Resulting in dramatic litter reduction And reduced harm to wildlife

Next Steps… Virginia municipalities need the authority to ban or tax single use plastic bags

Next Steps… Virginia municipalities need the authority to ban or tax single use plastic bags Let’s not lag behind - the time is now!!

Thank you Peter Leonard-Morgan Middleburg Town Council member and council Go Green Committee representative