Plastic Bags Will Be the Death of Us | Teen Ink

Plastic Bags Will Be the Death of Us

August 16, 2010
By AndreaD GOLD, West Chester, Pennsylvania
AndreaD GOLD, West Chester, Pennsylvania
11 articles 6 photos 19 comments

Favorite Quote:
According to Greek mythology, humans were originally created with four legs, four arms and a head with two faces. Fearing their power, Zeus split them apart, condemning them to spend their lives in search of their other half.


Plastic bags are one of the most dangerous substances to our environment. It seems silly that plastic bags could do so much harm. You never would have guessed, right? Well, believe it or not, these bags contribute to environmental issues in several ways.

For one, plastic bags litter the environment. Forests, rivers, lakes, and oceans are littered all over the world. Wind carries these bags everywhere. We are destroying our own planet and most people don’t even realize the harmful effects of these bags. They also overfill landfills, taking up room that can be used by other trash. Americans use over 380 billion plastic bags a year.

For two, these bags kill our wildlife. They kill not only marine animals, but also animals on land. Many species are already becoming endangered as it is. These bags are adding to the death toll of animals, and it could increase their chances of being endangered, or even extinct. About one million mammals and sea birds die per year due to ingesting plastic bags. They are mistaken as food. The animals die a slow and painful death, usually by choking. 100,000 marine mammals die per year by eating these plastic bags.

Lastly, these bags are made out of a substance that is called polyethylene. Polyethylene is a type of petroleum. Petroleum is a major source of our energy, such as heating, electricity, lighting, etc. About four to five trillion plastic bags are manufactured each year. We’re wasting all of this petroleum on plastic bags when it could be used for more important things, like automobile gas. The sad thing is, out of 100 trillion plastic bags, only 1% are recycled. It takes 1,000 years for plastic bags to break down, making them non-biodegradable. Burning these bags will not help either; it will only make things worse. When these bags are burned, it releases toxic fumes into the soil and the air.

You may be asking, “What can I do to help?” Try switching to paper bags instead of plastic ones when you go grocery shopping. Paper bags are much better for the environment, and can be recycled more easily. If you are an animal lover, these actions that you could be taking would be saving animals around the world.

Surprisingly, plastic bags have been one of the most lethal inventions of mankind. They have a major negative impact on humanity, animals, and our environment. We only have one world to live in, so more precautions should be enforced in taking care of it.



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This article has 14 comments.


2004 said...
on Mar. 8 2020 at 3:15 am
2004, Colombo, Other
0 articles 0 photos 2 comments

Favorite Quote:
A friend in need is a friend indeed

Very useful for me thanks alot

2004 said...
on Mar. 8 2020 at 3:09 am
2004, Colombo, Other
0 articles 0 photos 2 comments

Favorite Quote:
A friend in need is a friend indeed

Very useful for me thanks

evandaboss said...
on Oct. 25 2017 at 2:48 pm
evandaboss,
0 articles 0 photos 2 comments
this helped me on my essay

evandaboss said...
on Oct. 25 2017 at 2:47 pm
evandaboss,
0 articles 0 photos 2 comments
it takes a real dirt bag to pick on a kids english essay you jerk

Faij said...
on Apr. 28 2017 at 12:08 pm
GRATEFUL ENGLISH ESSAY

angeliena said...
on Feb. 16 2017 at 11:08 am
It's a fantastic and very effective essay

Awesome said...
on Oct. 9 2016 at 8:26 pm
You suck ass

rock said...
on Apr. 19 2016 at 5:34 am
This essay is wonderful to people

shivaksh said...
on Feb. 28 2016 at 12:42 am
This essay is very helpful for me in ecams

Awesome said...
on Dec. 28 2015 at 9:52 am
This essay made me cry.what a interesting essay! Tribute to writer! Fantastic!!!!!!!!.....

ThatGuy said...
on Apr. 27 2015 at 3:39 pm
Great work! This really helped me complete my research assignment. Thanks!

ThatGuy said...
on Apr. 27 2015 at 3:39 pm
Great work! This really helped me write my research assignment. Thanks!

jassdalal said...
on Mar. 16 2014 at 2:52 am
Dont use polythene bags.. Ya shab harmful h.. Hamara leya or environment ka leya.. Use paper bags.. Ya much better h.. Thnks..

swati joshi said...
on Mar. 16 2014 at 1:21 am
This pharagraph tell.. This plastic bags are dangerous substance to our environment....