Plastic Shopping Bags: Myth versus Reality

Myth: Plastic shopping bags are a large component of litter.

Reality: Plastic shopping bags are NOT a major component of litter.

Studies of Greater Toronto Area communities (City of Toronto, York, Durham and Peel Regions) show plastic shopping bags account for less than one per cent of urban litter. In Peel Region, of 4,363 large litter items, only three were plastic shopping bags (.07%) and in the City of Toronto, of 5,243 large items only 11 plastic shopping bags were found (.2%).

Myth: Plastic shopping bags are a large component of landfills.

Reality: Plastic shopping bags make up a very small proportion of landfill.

If all plastic bags used in Canada went to landfill, they would make up less than one per cent of residential solid waste by weight. Organic food accounts for 34 per cent and papers products 16-30 per cent.

Myth: Degradable plastic shopping bags will solve our litter problems.

Reality: Public education is the solution. Litter is pervasive involving many materials and products.

Plastic shopping bags are a minor component of litter. Audit studies show that plastic shopping bags account for less than one per cent of urban litter. Education, as well as responsible use and disposal of materials and products, is fundamental to anti-littering.
Myth: Degradable plastic shopping bags in landfill are good for the environment.

Reality: Any type of degradable materials in landfill could do more harm than good.

By decomposing, biodegradables in landfill release leachates into groundwater and methane into the atmosphere – a potent greenhouse gas that traps over 21 times more heat per molecule than carbon dioxide. This will make Canada’s efforts to combat climate change and meet our Kyoto commitments even more difficult. In fact, countries around the world are restricting the amount of biodegradable material going to landfill sites.

Independent waste audit studies show that 50 per cent of plastic shopping bags are reused for waste going to landfill. These bags, if made biodegradable, will likely decompose – when the objective is to reduce the amount of biodegradable materials in landfill.

Myth: Plastic shopping bags are not re-used.

Reality: There is high re-use of plastic shopping bags in Canada.

Plastic shopping bags are commonly reused around the home. Independent research in Canada shows that 40-50 per cent of plastic shopping bags are reused to contain garbage or to carry recyclables to the curb. In England, government research shows that 80 per cent of people re-use their bags. Plastic bags are reused as liners for household wastebaskets, storage, book and lunch bags, and to pick up after pets.

Myth: Plastic shopping bags are not recycled.

Reality: In Canada, 44 per cent of the population (almost 14 million people) has access to plastic bag recycling through curbside programs, drop-off depots, or at-store bag take-back programs. Recycling across the country varies depending on geography, population density, distance to markets and collection/processing systems.

Plastic shopping bags can be recycled into new bags and other durable products, such as plastic lumber for decking, park benches, picnic tables and waste receptacles. The number of plastic recycling businesses in North America has nearly tripled over the past several years. Whole new product categories are emerging that use recycled plastic shopping bags, such as the composite lumber market, which is valued to reach $1.4 billion U.S. by 2007.

Myth: Plastic shopping bags are a waste of resources.

Reality: They account for less than one-tenth of one per cent of the hydrocarbon use in Canada and can be recycled.

The vast majority of hydrocarbons (88%) in Canada are burned as fuel for cars and trucks and to generate heat and electricity.