As the effects of climate change continue to grow ever more severe as time goes on, the pressing need to transition to more sustainable practices becomes greater than ever. One of the core factors causing this unprecedented change in our world is undoubtedly the widespread reliance on fossil fuels and, consequently, everything associated with it, such as plastic manufacturing.
While plastic products have certainly improved many aspects of our daily lives, they also have their shortcomings, just like everything else. It is now common knowledge how plastics can exacerbate the problem of climate change if not disposed of properly, hence the global push towards more eco-friendly alternatives. But in this effort to curb plastic use, many misconceptions have sprung up over the years that excessively paint plastic products like black trash bags in a bad light.
Thus, to keep things factual and make a more informed decision, we go over some of the most common myths surrounding modern trash bags and why they are not always a threat to the environment.
1. All Trash Bags Are Made From Non-renewable Fossil Fuels
Most trash bags are, in fact, now made from recycled plastics, prioritizing sustainability and reducing the demand for non-renewable resources. This eco-friendly shift in production aligns with global efforts to reduce plastic waste and conserve our planet’s valuable resources. By repurposing recycled plastics into practical products like trash bags, we take a significant step towards a more sustainable future while catering to the ever-growing environmentally-conscious customer demographic.
2. Recycled Plastic From Trash Bags Are Always of Lower Quality
As mentioned, recycled plastics such as recycled high-density polyethene are steadily growing in popularity. Still, many seem to think that they are of lower quality compared to those made from virgin plastics. Naturally, this is not always true, as there are many cases where certain types of recycled plastic come out with a higher quality than their new counterparts, depending on the recycling process used. Apart from this, recycling plastic also contributes significantly to cutting down the amount of plastic waste that gets discarded in oceans and landfills, which is good for the environment.
3. The Trend of Reusing Regular Plastic Bags Defeats The Purpose of Trash Bags
Many studies fuel the trend of reusing regular plastic bags instead of immediately throwing them in the trash after use. For instance, it is common in many places for people to use their plastic bags at least twice, specifically those for carrying groceries for other purposes, such as trash bags. This practice has long been ingrained in many cultures worldwide, such as Singapore, to prevent pest issues from growing rampant.
So, while there is some truth to this sentiment, it is important to consider there are other entities besides the average household that need a bigger container to ensure the proper disposal of their rubbish, such as restaurants, malls, and so on. This highlights the need to balance sustainability and proper waste management.
4. Trash Bags Are The Same As Any Recyclable
When talking about the traditional method of recycling, then yes, soft plastics like trash bags and wholesale plastic bags in Singapore are generally not the same as other recyclables like plastic bottles since they tend to clog the machinery at recycling plants. Thus, avoid bagging your recyclables in trash bags, as it is common practice for these facilities to refuse them due to safety concerns and a lack of time to open each bag because of the high volume of materials they need to process.
Conclusion
Under certain circumstances and with proper disposal, plastic bags can be more sustainable than plastic alternatives from a holistic perspective. However, given the reality that not everyone knows about the best practices when using plastics, it falls upon manufacturers to innovate and make their products more environmentally friendly. As such, one should not immediately believe the many myths surrounding plastic and trash bags as they do not always paint the whole picture.
We at Allswell Polythene stand apart from other plastic bag suppliers since our commitment to sustainability goes beyond industry standards. As such, we actively innovate and evolve our business practices to a greener Singapore as we help businesses make environmentally-conscious choices when choosing the packaging solution they need.
To learn more about our wide range of plastic bags and containers, feel free to contact us at any time.