Plastic bag ban: A gateway to greater environmental protection

Response to The Bluebonnet State: Think outside the plastic bag

In the blog post from The Bluebonnet State on August 8^th, the blogger explains her criticism of Austin’s plastic bag ban. She argues that the plastic bag ban does not eliminate the use of plastic bags by customers but rather causes customers to seek out grocery stores that do still offer plastic bags. Additionally, she is concerned for the future of businesses and employees working for plastic bag manufacturers.

I understand that the plastic bag ban can be inconvenient and sometimes just very annoying. However, I think it makes a small step towards creating and sustaining a more environmentally friendly city. There are so many environmental issues facing our state and world right now. Many of these issues have seriously harmful consequences such as climate change, ozone layer depletion, deforestation… the list goes on and on. However, issues such as ozone layer depletion are very intangible to the average citizen. It can be hard to feel responsible for something that you may not ever “see” the impact of.  Additionally, issues concerning the environment are so much larger than one person’s contributions. It takes large numbers of people to both pollute AND “save” the environment. Because of this, many people feel less obliged to pay attention to environmental issues and therefore continue to contribute to environmental damage.

I think that The Bluebonnet State’s argument is a perfect demonstration of why environmental issues are so difficult for people to address:

“Discussing the topic of a greener city or state seems just perfect doesn’t it? Why stop at plastic bags then? Why not ban plastic bottles or milk cartons or everything else that harms the society. I find it difficult to understand that in a world where cigarettes can’t be banned even though they are a health hazard, there is banning of something as small as a plastic bag.” 

Yes, I too find it difficult to understand why so many other dangerous things are not banned while plastic bags are. But, even with as much opposition as it has caused, I think the plastic bag ban is sadly one of the few things that can pass as a citywide ordinance. Even if the plastic bag ban only has a minor impact on the overall pollution and environment of the City of Austin, at least it is something. I think we have to start small to start building support behind the environmental movement. We have to start with the little things like plastic bags that may pose an annoying inconvenience but they do not substantially change a person’s day-to-day life.

It’s important to remember how precious of a resource our environment is. It is much more difficult to “undo” damage to the environment than it is to prevent this damage. So, I hope that people like The Bluebonnet State will soon be able to support these preventive efforts so we can gain the support necessary to make more substantial laws that protect our environment.