design is dangerous

Paper or plastic?

It’s the choice we’re faced with whenever we go to a grocery store. We must choose between the recyclable, stiff, paper bags with the handles that are easily ripped off. The brown ones which cut into the edges of your hands and break open and spill their contents when you have a wet object in it. Or the lightweight, flexible, plastic bags that can easily be rolled up and shoved into small places?

            Most of us would rather choose the second option— the convenient plastic bag. The plastic bag is a much more convenient option because of its flexibility and water resistance. The design of the plastic bag is so simple and practical that it becomes the choice of many consumers each year. But, this convenience is destroying the planet and threatening the oceans.

            In 2002, over 5 trillion plastic bags were produced, and it all ends up in our landfills, or blowing away until it makes the end of its journey in the middle of the ocean with all the other trillions of plastic bangs each year. It is met with toothbrushes, bottle caps, tires, netting, rope and other disposable items in this gigantic swirling mass of human waste called the Pacific Trash Vortex.

            Thankfully, many people have caught onto this trend and have started designing reusable grocery bags. While it is a bit more of a hassle, shoppers must realize how much they are impacting the planet. The design of the plastic bag is dangerous to our futures. Consumers need to learn to pick the sustainable option instead of the more convenient option.