Plastic #1 PET/PETE (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles such as these can be recycled into fleece clothing, tote bags, furniture, carpet, paneling and new containers.
A group of scientists have uncovered a polymer that can be used to produce the common grocers’ plastic bag.
Instead of utilizing fossil fuel-based chemicals, the research team – comprised of scientists from KAIST University and LG Chem Ltd. – found that Polylactic Acid (PLA), a bio-based polymer, holds the key to producing plastics through natural and renewable resources. The team developed a one-step process to metabolically engineer a strain of E. coli, which produces the PLA that is biodegradable and more environmentally-friendly (as it is low in toxicity).
This breakthrough technology could end up putting an interesting spin on Washington, DC’s Bag Tax – an initiative known as the Anacostia River Clean Up and Protection Act of 2009 set to launch on January 1, 2010 to reduce the quantity of plastic and paper bags polluting the Anacostia River.
Just last week Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, in conjunction with the District Department of the Environment, launched the District’s “Skip the Bag, Save the River” education campaign in preparation for the $0.05 surcharge that consumers will pay should they choose to receive a plastic or paper disposable bag from businesses that sell food or alcohol. (Consumers are encourage to bring their own bags, or simply not request one at stores.) The campaign aims to educate consumers on the ins-and-outs of the Bag Tax; as well as make them aware of CVS/pharmacy’s initial pledge to donate 112,000 reusable bags to District residents, especially to seniors and low-income communities.
Additionally, the Bag Tax requires that recyclable plastic bags be made from #2 or #4 polyethylene, while paper bags must be recyclable and contain a minimum of 40% post-consumer recycled content. All bags must be printed with a phrase that encourages recycling.
Of Interest: Plastics: What the Numbers Mean
Comments
Challenges to these types of bags not mentioned...
-Use more fossil in the farming and production process that it would take to just make a plastic bag from the same fuel
-Are not recyclable
-Can spoil (yes compostable plastics (as there is no biodegradable definition) can spoil in heat)
-Need to be made of at thicker gauge than regular plastics because they have a tendency to stretch (often leads to use of additives as well)
-If placed in a recycling program ruins the other plastics when mixed in recycling
I would think if it was the obvious solution the bag makers would have used it…
What I don’t understand why are we taxing a recyclable product? Will people be recycling bags that they paid for?
Another issue not generally addressed is that traditional plastic bags are made from refining byproducts that would exist whether converted to plastic or not. So while not technically "sustainable", because we will someday run out of oil, the raw material for all plastics is the waste from refining. With PLA, we are making something new - planting, fertilizing, watering, havesting, processing, transporting, etc., that can't be recycled, and only decomposes in high-heat composting facilities. In landfills or backyard compost bins, PLA just sits there. But in the end, the difference in environmental cost between plastic and PLA is so small as to not be noticed. Global environmental issues that we really need to address are energy creation and usage, not plastic bags.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!