Paper or Plastic???

So, I'm a tree-hugger. I recycle, I am vegetarian, I am the family member that reminds everyone to turn off the lights and water, the annoying friend that reminds you to recycle your plastic water bottle or shares articles that pertain to the deteriorating environment, that is me. So, when I was given this assignment, I thought that I had the cat in the bag; I had an arsenal of facts and was mapping out my writing in my head. But as I was looking for more facts and studies on the topic of paper bags or plastic ones, I began to reflect on the tree-hugger that I actually am. People say that paper bags are the way to go, but as studies show, there is little difference whether one uses paper or plastic. I saw how I was only digesting information that was being fed to me instead of finding out what actually is; I was a hypocrite. 

But the number one thing that struck me was a fact that I found out from www.environment.about.com:

"Discarded plastic bags have become so common in Africa they have spawned a cottage industry. People there collect the bags and use them to weave hats, bags, and other goods. According to the BBC, one such group routinely collects 30,000 bags every month."

This really struck me. I have been so focused on preserving the environment so that nature would be preserved and the animals also, but I totally forgot how it affected people just like me. I think that we as a society are just so comfortable with how we live that we forget that the things that we do affect people worldwide. This is not just our planet, it's everyone's.

So, I think that in order for us to cut down on our usage of paper or plastic bags, there needs to be something that affects us personally. If we are personally affected by the choice of paper or plastic, I think that people would be more apt to reflecting on their choices. One thing that the government can do is impose a tax, or give benefits if one uses a cloth bag or reuses a paper/plastic bag. 

I am a bit wary that this will happen, but as Sachs mentions in his book it is possible if everyone contributes a little to gain a lot.