Plastic Bags Be Gone

by Cameron Stevens, 6th grade
Ecker Hill Middle, Mrs. DeKoff's writing class.

For many years, plastic bags have been the general way to transport groceries and other products, but they are proving to have a negative effect on the environment. Park City is considering banning plastic bags. Like many other towns and counties, we too are coming to realize how horrible plastic bags are. A plastic bag ban would make Park City even more beautiful than it is now. Plastic bags have been around for less than a century and already a plastic bag on blowing on the side of a road is a common sight. Putting in place this ban would help show that Park City is committed to helping the environment.

Did you know that there are two giant clumps of garbage right in the Pacific ocean? It’s true! They’re on the east and west sides of Hawaii and combined they’re rumored to be double the size of Texas. Although Park City is a ways inland, we’ll still be setting a good example by prohibiting plastic bags. Plus, plastic bags may end up in Utah’s waterways. All it takes is a little wind and they become urban tumble weeds. Park City has many magnificent streams that we need to protect, and by banning plastic bags we will be taking a step in the right direction.

Plastic bags have many negative effects on the wildlife. Although sea turtles are the most common example of animals hurt by plastic bags, they aren’t the only species that is affected by them. Birds can get caught in them and unable to fly they starve to death. Foxes and other curious creatures are known to eat plastic bags. When this happens the results can be tragic and heartbreaking. An internet video recently revealed that sea birds, like the ones near the Great Salt Lake, eat plastic. With so much plastic in the area wildlife are bound to make this fatal mistake.

There is a better alternative to plastic bags. Reusable bags only have to be purchased once and can be used for more than 20 years. Paper has it’s own environmental issues but they are nothing compared to the ones plastic bags have. Plus, paper has been around for thousands of years and is biodegradable unlike plastic. Many companies have focused on planting new trees which balances out the usage of paper bags.  Unfortunately, there doesn’t appear to be an obvious way to counteract the negative effects of plastic bags.

Park City is a community that cherishes the environment and takes the initiative on these types of issues. We should again show leadership and ban plastic bags.

Deborah DeKoff teaches the 6th grade Language Arts class at Ecker Hill Middle School, Park City, UT. She is working with EarthWell to provide recognition and exposure for the writings of her students and to help encourage their awareness and involvement with topics that concern their future and the future of their planet.