The Patron Saint of Plastic Bags

Excerpts from Time Magazine Sunday July 27, 2008.
By Belinda Luscomb Photo By David Waldorff

How can a former anti-litter activist support plastic bags? Joseph points out, and some environmentalists agree, that in many ways paper bags are just as bad for the environment as plastic ones. While paper bags decompose, they also release methane while doing so. While plastic bags are sometimes made with petrochemicals, paper bags require more energy to be made and recycled.

The evidence that plastic bags kill marine life is not conclusive, and it’s generally acknowledged that the detritus from commercial fishing is much more damaging. “My research into this issue has proved to me that something funny is going on,” says Joseph. “The anti-plastic-bag campaigners are not being challenged. It’s like a court case where nobody’s representing the other side.”

Plastic bags make handy trash-can liners, he says, or receptacles for cat litter. And, of course, they can be reused to hold shopping. “Do you know what I think is the best thing about them? You can shove about 12 of them in your glove compartment.”

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1827021,00.html?imw=Y

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