It’s time to take a long hard
look at those green plastic bags that are so prevalent in our
supermarkets. I have seen shoppers with an arm full of these bags
obviously feeling pleased with their efforts “to help the environment.”
Friends who use them believe they are using a bag “woven” with some
sort of natural product. One only has look at the tag to see the word
“polypropylene.”

These bags are in fact plastic and are derived
from polypropylene, an oil-based product. They take longer to rot than
the thin plastic bags they are meant to replace. Supporters claim that
they are are good for the environment because they are used again and
again and not simply chucked out after one use. However, Planet Ark
claims a three year life for these bags and we all know where they will
then end up.

The major supermarkets (and smaller ones, even my
local plant nursery has a stack of purple ones for sale) and Planet Ark
should be strongly criticised for endorsing this product. Coles and
Woolies have signs everywhere promoting these bags. Planet Ark have
their insignia on the bags, promoting a product derived from fossil
fuels. Unbelievable.

Supermarkets do offer calico and cotton
bags for sale. But they are not heavily promoted and I notice few
people using them. Meanwhile, why import an oil based product from
China when Australian farmers and manufactures could produce a natural
product. If price is all we are interested in, then consumers are not
ready for the change.