Disposable Plastic Bag Figures
- There is no denying that disposable plastic bags are a problem that we need to deal with.
- There is a huge amount of information on-line from a number of expert sources. Look at the links below for further information.
Key statistic include:
- According to a report by the Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department, Hong Kong throws away an estimated 8 billion plastic bags a year. That is more than 3 bags per person per day!
- Each year, an estimated 3-4 trillion plastic bags manufactured worldwide. Billions end up as litter each year. http://www.worldwatch.org/node/1499
- Disposable bags are used for an average of 12 minutes before being thrown away - though they can last in the environment for decades.
- We often see plastic bags on land as litter, clogging up sewers and waterways, becoming entangled in vegetation and fences, and get caught in the throats of animals. Many are blown out to sea. There are around 100 billion tons of plastic floating around the world's oceans, killing marine animals such as turtles, fish, birds and whales. Hundreds of thousands of sea turtles, whales and other marine mammals die every year from eating discarded plastic bags mistaken for food.
Resources for further reading