Why all stores should be forced to sell paper bags instead of plastic – Colleen Smith

I have a nice collection of recyclable shopping bags in the trunk of my car, ready for the next department store.

But you know how from time to time you end up stealing from a store when you do not have your own bags with you? And they offer you a choice of plastic bags. The 5p single use or the more expensive multipurpose bags?

But I do not want to be part of the plastic problem. I've seen all these images of islands clogging our seas and killing wildlife. I would be happy to never use another plastic item in my life. I suggest that plastic bags be banned.

In the future, if I forget my shopping cart or if I have to make unexpected purchases, I want a paper bag. Or a cardboard box.

I know it 's my fault if I forget it but, hey, you do not always know that you are going to need emergency food. You could decide on an impromptu picnic for the summer or just a stupid forgetful moment

This could surely be one of the easiest victories in the war against plastics?

We have already started well by charging 5p for disposable plastic bags.

Since the supermarkets started charging in 2016, the number of plastic bags has decreased by 85% in England – and we are already seeing the results. The number of plastic bags collected on British beaches was down by half last year.

. I did a quick 10 second search on Google and found that paper bags cost less than 7p each (probably a lot less in the huge amounts that department stores would buy). I would be happy to pay more for a paper bag. This will teach me to never forget about my own non-plastic buyers.

I do not care if it rains and the bag starts to become soggy and collapse a bit. I love all those old American movies and TV shows where people are fighting with loads of paper bags climbing the stairs of their apartments. I would gladly take a little inconvenience every time in a blue moon if it saves the planet.

There are disadvantages to paper – cost, durability, strength and, of course, trees have to be cut.

Plastics, even recyclable plastic, take years to decompose. Paper Does Not Do It

And now, China has said no to the global scrap yard. An article published last month in the journal Science Advances, states that China has imported 106 million tons of plastic waste for recycling since 1992.

When the deputy of Exeter Ben Bradshaw was Minister of the Environment in 2006 Buyers must take direct action by removing "excessive and unnecessary" plastic packaging and packaging at the supermarket checkout and leave them behind.

It is time for the consumer to go one step further and refuse to accept plastic bags too