Annotated Bibliography

“Are Reusable Bags Really Better?” Research Project

Anna McWhirter

Date: 6/17/19

Foodfuelfuture. “The Plastic Bag Problem.” Sustainable America, sustainableamerica.org/blog/the-

plastic-bag-problem/.

This article is about the natural resources that go into making plastic bags. Bags are made from
oil and contribute to our fossil fuel problem. There are trillions of bags made every year and it mentions
the harmful effects of the high amount of plastic bags.

Gamerman, Ellen “An Inconvenient Bag.” The Wall Street Journal, September 26, 2008.

https://dpw.lacounty.gov/epd/aboutthebag/pdf/articles/archive/WallStreetJournal_09-26-08_1.pdf

This article is about the negative side of banning plastic bags. The writer gives information that
questions the effectiveness of reusable bags. The concept of using reusable bags is just a trend and a
way for businesses to make a profit, rather than doing good for the environment. The focus is factory
made bags that are made of nonwoven polypropylene which can be just as damaging as plastic bag
waste.

Gerba, Charles, et al, “Assessment of the Potential for Cross Contamination of Food Products by Reusable
Shopping Bags.” June 9, 2010.

http://www.flashreport.org/blog/public/system/uploads/2011/05/grocery-bags-bacteria.pdf

This is an article that focuses on the risk for cross contamination created by reusing bags.
Research proves that most people don’t wash their bags and are loaded with bacteria. Bags were
collected from consumers and tested for bacteria. Samples of Coliform and Escherichia coli were found
in some of the test subjects. This article urges people to clean their reusable bags if they insist on using
them.

“International Policies to Reduce Plastic Marine Pollution from Single-Use Plastics (Plastic Bags and
Microbeads): A Review.” Marine Pollution Bulletin, Pergamon, 21 Feb. 2017,
www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X17301650.

This article talks about how single use plastic bags contribute to plastic pollution. Mainly focusing
on marine plastic pollution, this article provides facts and data to prove the growing problem of plastic
making its way into the ocean. There is evidence that explains how plastics impact the economy as well
as explaining to the reader the differences between microplastics and macroplastics.
Jacobsen, Sharon. Plastic Bag Pollution.

www.dpw.lacounty.gov/epd/PlasticBags/Articles/Googobits_07-21-05.pdf.

This article highlights marine pollution as well as the dangers to sea life, and greenhouse gases.
Plastic bags pose a deadly risk to sea animals. The idea of making bio-degradable bags is an attractive
idea but ultimately not a solution. Plastic bags waste energy, kill sea life, take hundreds of years to
decompose, and release toxins into ground water.

Logomasini, Angela “Plastic Bag Bans Are Bad for the Environment.” WebMem Competitive Enterprise
Institute, November 8, 2011

http://www.cei.org/sites/default/files/Angela%20Logomasini%20-
%20Plastic%20Bag%20Bans%20are%20Bad%20for%20the%20Environment%20-
%20WebMemo.pdf

This article discredits claims made by the media about plastic bag waste. It pushes the idea that
plastic bags are better and more convenient for consumers, the environment, and the economy. The
author tries to prove that the bans create more of a trade off than a solution. Examples include plastic
bags take less energy and create less greenhouse gas emissions.

Md. Abdul, Jalil, et al, “Using Plastic Bags and Its Damaging Impact on Environment and
Agriculture: An Alternative Proposal”, Macrothink Institute, August 17, 2013.

http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.680.5900&rep=rep1&type=pdf

This article discusses the effects of not properly recycling plastic bags and how it messes with
agriculture. It is explained that plastic bags are non-biodegradable, and they block plant growth. This
article lists a few alternatives to plastic bags and gives details as to why they’re better for the
environment and agriculture.

Mieskowski, Katharine. “Plastic Bags are Killing us”

http://ecoleaders.colostate.edu/Data/Sites/15/documents/2014/9_25%20Plastic%20Bags%20are%20Kil
ling%20us.pdf

This is an article about recycling plastic bags and what is in them. The bags are so easy to make
and use but they’re not easy to recycle. They contain metals, lead, and dyes. It talks about plastic bags
that are made from petroleum and the negative effects on the environment.

Pearce, Fred. Exposing False Environmental Claims. Guardian, 18 June 2009,

http://www.icpe.in/pdf/Biodegradable%20plastic%20bags%20carry%20more%20ecological%20harm%2
0than%20good.pdf

This article calls out companies that promote biodegradable bags and claim to be eco-friendly.
These bags aren’t better for the environment and contain lots of chemicals that are bad for the
environment. They are supposed to break down a lot faster than normal plastic bags, but they end up in
landfills and don’t break down like the rest of them.