Polyethylene plastic bags are made from the world's largest commercial polymer, polyethylene, which requires petroleum and toxic materials to manufacture. Most plastic bags end up in landfills or oceans, where they can take over 1000 years to degrade and contribute to pollution. Plastic bags in oceans break down into microplastics that enter the food chain and can ultimately reach humans, threatening wildlife and ecosystems. Many communities have implemented restrictions and bans on plastic bags to reduce their environmental impact.

1. POLYETHYLENE & ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION By: Dustin Koontz

2. The Significance of Polyethylene Plastic bags are made from polyethylene, the world’s largest commercial polymer. Requires petroleum and toxic materials to manufacture. It is a recyclable material, however… Most bags and wrappers end up in dumps or the ocean.

3. Uses of Polyethylene Plastic bags Any sort of food wrapper Bottles That plastic that electronics always come in Anything that you would describe as “plastic”

4. Environmental Concerns: On Land Not biodegradable (takes 1000 years to degrade.) Most plastic bags & many polythelene products are not recycled. 8 billion pounds of plastic enter land based water sources yearly (a large contributor of which are plastic bags.) 60 million tons of polythene used yearly. 1 million plastic bags used worldwide a minute.

5. Environmental Concerns: In the Ocean Plastic bags in the ocean go through the process of plastic photodegradation. Contribute to the great pacific garbage patch. Enter the food chain (along with PCBs absorbed during photodegradation) when consumed by wildlife. Can reach humans through biomagnification. Can out mass zooplankton (the dominant life in the area) by up to seven times.

6. Movements against plastic bags Some independent stores, diners, cafes, and restaurants are using biodegradable bags. Eco-totes are commonly used, especially in countries like Ireland and other European countries that have banned plastic bags. Seattle bag tax coalition intends to have the tax reduce environmental impact. Many similar things across the US are starting to pop up, even in places like Arizona. National geographic expressed environmental concern as early as 5 years ago for this issue.

7. Proponents of plastic bags The Washington Food Industry is opposed to the bag tax. Companies like plastic bags as they are incredibly cheap. No extra burden on consumer.

8. Things for consideration Future taxes on grocers buying plastic bags (taxes have been implemented in countries to curb usage.) Taxes (Seattle bag fee ordinance) on usage at the consumer level Environmental impact Personal cost

9. Works Cited &quot;Polyethylene (PE) Plastic Resin.&quot; The Plastics Web . 11 Aug 2008 < http://www.ides.com/generics/PE.htm >. http://reusablebags.com/facts.php?id=2 Sharp, Rob. &quot; Polythene's story: The accidental birth of plastic bags.&quot; The Independent . 26 Mar 2008. 11 Aug 2008 Times staff report, El Paso Times . 11 Aug 2008. 11 Aug 2008 < http://www.elpasotimes.com/newupdated/ci_10165490 >. Roach, John. &quot;Are Plastic Grocery Bags Sacking the Environment?.&quot; National Geographic News . 02 Sep 2003. National Geographic. 11 Aug 2008 < http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/09/0902_030902_plasticbags.html >. Gregg, Deirdre. &quot;Grocers launch drive to overturn Seattle shopping-bag fee.&quot; Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle) . 11 Aug 2008. Deirdre Gregg. 11 Aug 2008 < http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2008/08/11/daily7.html >.