When making ethical decisions, from the start, one should knowledgeable, logical, and unbiased. Though, not everyone takes this proper approach and instead may choose whatever the majority chose. Following the majority is a faulty plan because even though fifty-one or more percent agree that does not mean that they are completely correct. The possibility of majority being faulty shows when questions of the necessity pertaining to use of plastic bags in retail stores are discussed. Plastic bags can be very useful but can also be a hassle by taking an extended period of time to decompose, causing harm to the environment, and taking up space. Since there are several positives and negatives about using plastic bags two opposing sides are created. The argument becomes local and the problems of plastic bags affect major cities like Dallas. In Robert Wilonsky’s article, “Dallas Shoppers Will Be Charged a Nickel for Each Disposable Bag” the new vote by the Dallas City Council applying a five-cent fee will be discussed to prove that the fee will cut down the dependence on unnecessary plastic bags and help protect the environment.
Plastic bags are an increasingly environmental problem on the city of Dallas. This is the opinion of Dallas City Council member Dwaine Caraway, who campaigned for the five-cent fee “[that] takes effect Jan. 1. …Single-use bags will be banned entirely at retail outlets in city buildings and at city-sponsored events” (Wilonsky). The council voted 8-6 and the verdict brought argument from various people and associations such as The Texas Retailers Association,
The American Progressive Bag Alliance, Gary Huddleston, director of consumer affairs for the Kroger Co., and Council member Sheffie Kadane; who weighed in th...
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...ms to be that kind of progress, money should not influence choice as the business of plastic bags is in the hands of the fee. Retailers know the big risk is that customers will limit their product purchases to the size of the reusable bags therefore potentially costing millions but plastics bags clogging the environment will cost the same if not more, along with the environment itself.
Works Cited
“Bagging Plastic.” State Legislatures 37.5 (2011): 10. Academic Search Complete. Web. 10 May 2014.
Ruggiero, Vincent Ryan. Thinking Critically About Ethical Issues. Dubuque: McGraw-Hill, 2011. Print.
Shinkle, Douglas, and Stacie Edelman. “It's All In The Bag.” State Legislatures 39.5 (2013): 8. Academic Search Complete. Web. 10 May 2014.
Wilonsky, Robert. “Dallas Shoppers Will Be Charged a Nickel for Each Disposable Bag.” Dallas News. Print. 26 Mar. 2014.
You have been asked by the state representative to analyze and write a report on a very important piece of legislation. You have kept track of this legislation, but been having a...
Davidson, Roger H., Walter J. Oleszek, and Frances E. Lee. Congress and Its Members. Washington, D.C.: CQ, 2009. Print.
National Conference of State Legislatures. Wendy Underhill , 26 Mar. 2014. Web. 30 Mar. 2014.
Andrew Hazen is the official recycling technician at Keurig’s roasting facility in Washington. He is on a mission to see how much of the trash at this location can be given a second chance. The general trash he is referring to is wood, paper, scrap metal, cardboard, paper filters, shrink wrap, and plastic banding. Hazen is proven to satisfy these efforts in a recent change at their facility. The coffee beans transported to the Washington roasting facility are always transported in bags made of 100% burlap because the material protects the beans while still allowing air to circulate. Hazen wondered what could be done with the thousands of burlap bags that come through their doors each month, rather than tossing them out. After some research, he found that farms use this material for sheet mulching and erosion control. In addition, a nearby wetland restoration project said they could use the bags to stop the growth of invasive species. Although Hazen was proud to help the farms and wetland restoration project, he still had several bags he could donate to help others. He was most proud when he learned the bags can be used to help the damages from Seattle’s rainy weather. A local landscaping firm called Rain Dog Designs now uses these recycled burlap bags to create rain gardens that absorb water runoff from paved areas. The burlap bag example is just one of many that Keurig Green Mountain facilities do to help reduce, reuse, and recycle as much as possible for a better world. (Our Stories,
Otto von Bismarck once said, “Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made.” The arduous process that a bill undergoes in order to become a law may seem grueling and pointless; however, the processes high caliber of difficulty allows for the extreme prestige and exclusivity of bills that are passed. Because the process is so exhausting, and filibusters, subsequently requiring a super-majority vote to pass a bill, have always been such a threat in Congress, historically, bills that attempt to reform sensitive issues have not fared well in the legislative branch. However, when Congress does pass controversial laws, it then also faces the task of effectively enforcing them. But, when the process is carried out to completion, laws that are enforced have significant impacts on the everyday lives of the American people—such as laws concerning abortion rights. In the United States, the government and Congress have significantly affected the rights of women with regard to abortions through laws that either restrict or guarantee their legality and availability, while the government’s capacity to do so is affected by the principle of federalism along with that of the separation of powers.
Using plastic bags were something everyone feels bad using. We use them everyday in some form or another, but we tend to forget the bad that they do. Plastic bags should not be used or allowed in the U.S because it tends to do more harm than good in our society or world.
Kroger Timeline. (2013). In Progressive Grocer, 92(10), 30-52. Retrieved January 28, 2014. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.southuniversity.libproxy.edmc.edu/ehost/detail?sid=e0985541-de1c-4587-93a3-fa8be9bac40f%40sessionmgr114&vid=1&hid=127&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=bth&AN=91527502
There is a very simple solution to implementing the tax without causing more work: scan the bag like a regular item. Tax is already accounted for in other items, this would simply work on the same method in the computer as it is scanned. The lower class would not be burdened because the tax only comes into effect if you buy a plastic bag. Paper bags and reusable shopping bags will still be an option, both of which are better for the environment, thus making the tax all the more
The debate of whether plastic bags are more beneficial to the environment and our community continues to find little resolution. Although there’s an abundant opposition to the use of plastic bags, the benefits of using plastic bags should be acknowledge. Manufacturing and the usage of plastic bags produce less pollution, require little energy, and is efficient for recycling; therefore, our community should avoid limiting the use of plastic bags because plastic is a valuable material.
In 2014, California became the first U.S. state to ban the use of plastic bags in stores. This was a heroic move that boldly elevated concern for the environment above shoppers’ convenience. All states should follow California’s example and either ban or significantly limit the use of plastic bags in stores.
As Americans, we are privileged to many luxuries. Not every country allows its citizens to start their own businesses or provides the education it takes to run a company. Our free market system allows for many different goods and services to compete fairly for people’s dollars. The freedom given to us by our forefathers grants the opportunity to choose between these goods and services. Put all these realities together and it’s no wonder we have so many different forms of products. A relatively recent phenomenon that has subsequently emerged in our society is the prevalence of disposable products. Because of their convenience, efficiency, and relatively low cost, disposable products have become the choice over their reusable forms for many consumers. Everyday activities such as grooming, cleaning, eating, and child care are where most disposable products enter our lives. It is possible for one individual to use dozens of disposable products daily, from blowing noses to changing a child’s diaper. Considering the amount of disposable goods being bought and discarded after one use, problems have inevitably arisen. The most obvious and tangible problem is environmental damage. Other consequences include declining values of family, relationships, and human life. Thus, the disposable phenomenon is worth studying and researching not only because it plays a large part in nearly everyone’s life but because the problems that arise from it could be pinpointed and possibly solved.
Plastic or paper, is a choice that people face when going to the grocery stores. Plastic bags are often the choice that is made. A controversial issue in the world today is the use of plastic bags. Plastic bags are used because of the convenience they give, by being able to carry several items at once. However, in the article, “Banning Bans, Not Bags”, Jennifer Schultz claims, “Plastic bags clog up local waterways, litter roadways, and get swallowed up by unsuspecting fish” (6). Plastic bags are used once, then are discarded or, littered all over the place. When they are littered all over they become problems for more than just humans. These plastic bags pose a big hazard for animals on land and in especially the ocean. Humans eat land and
This essay will discuss the various harmful effects of plastic bags, and demonstrate the risks that these bags impose on humans, animals, and the environment. It will also discuss a series of suggested solutions that could help reduce plastic bag usage. Although plastic bags appear to be fragile and light, their negative environmental effect is devastating. Plastic bags may cause large amounts of pollution at every step of their limited life cycle, from the extraction of raw materials, production, transportation, and recycling or disposal. Plastic bags can be defined as the most damaging form of environmental pollution.
Saillant, Catherine. "L.A. Starts 2014 with Its New Plastic-bag Ban." Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2013. Web. 14 Mar. 2014.
While walking through the park last Sunday, I observed a shocking scene. There were two cans: one for recycling and one for trash. The recycling receptacle had only an empty Dr. Pepper can and a few used Ozarka water bottles. On the other hand, the trash can had a plethora of half eaten meals, wrappers, banana peels and disgustingly even bottles, cans, newspapers and plastics that could have been recycled. Because people do not understand or do not care to understand about conserving our resources, many reusable items are being put in landfills when recycling these items could help save the environment. People should know the negative impact of throwing away a water bottle or newspaper, purchasing meat from the grocery store or consuming gasoline has on the environment, and many do not. By informing society about how their decisions affect the environment, we can help save our planet and change our attitude toward the land we live on, the water we drink and the air we breathe” and truly show respect for the stuff that we depend on.