Why plastic bags are of greater concerns Plastic bags are of greater concern due to several factors: 1. Ubiquitous Use: Plastic bags are one of the most commonly used single-use items worldwide. Their widespread use contributes to their significant environmental impact. They are lightweight, inexpensive, and leading to their extensive consumption and disposal. 2. Persistence in the Environment: Plastic bags are made from durable materials that take a long time to decompose. They can persist in the environment for hundreds of years, contributing to long-term pollution and posing hazards to wildlife. Their persistence makes them a particularly problematic form of plastic waste. 3. Litter and Marine Pollution: Plastic bags are often discarded improperly, leading to widespread littering. They can end up in natural habitats, including rivers, lakes, and oceans, where they pose significant risks to marine life. Marine animals may mistake plastic bags for food or become entangled in them, leading to injury, suffocation, or death. 4. High Consumption Rates: The sheer volume of plastic bags used globally is staggering. Billions of plastic bags are consumed each year, exacerbating the environmental impact. The high consumption rates result in a constant demand for new plastic production, further straining natural resources and energy requirements. 5. Low Recycling Rates: Plastic bags have low recycling rates compared to other plastic items. They are often not accepted in regular curbside recycling programs due to their lightweight and thin nature, which can cause operational challenges in recycling facilities. The lack of proper recycling infrastructure and consumer awareness contributes to the low recycling rates of plastic bags. 6. Micro plastic Generation: Over time, plastic bags break down into smaller pieces called micro plastics. These micro plastics can contaminate ecosystems, water bodies, and even enter the food chain, posing potential risks to marine life and human health. The widespread use of plastic bags contributes to the overall micro plastic pollution problem. 7. Visual Pollution and Aesthetics: Plastic bags are highly visible in the environment, particularly when they become litter. They contribute to visual pollution, affecting the aesthetics of natural landscapes, urban areas, and recreational spaces. The accumulation of plastic bags in public spaces and water bodies detracts from their natural beauty and quality. Due to these reasons, plastic bags have gained significant attention as a target for reduction, with efforts aimed at promoting reusable bags, implementing plastic bag bans or fees, and improving recycling and waste management systems. Governments, organizations, and individuals are increasingly recognizing the need to address the environmental concerns associated with plastic bags to mitigate their adverse effects on ecosystems and human well-being.