Microbiologist Chuck Gerba along with ABC Good Morning America conducted a study on the amount of microorganisms on the outside of handbags. Pathogenic microorganisms are commonly called germs, which include bacteria, viruses and fungi. One particular handbag had 6.7 million bacteria. There has also been a study on microorganisms in reusable shopping bags. The study, funded by the Environment and Plastics Industry Council, found 64% of reusable bags were contaminated with bacteria.
Plastic is a petroleum-based product. Yes, petroleum material you use to gas up your car. Only one percent of plastic bags are recycled, and recycling them requires using more energy. Plastic bags polluting the ocean end up in our food chain. Plastic bags in landfills end up contaminating our ground water and soil, again back in our food chain.
The temporary "reusable" bags made of thicker plastic, polyurethane or nylon are only guaranteed for a year. Getting only one year out of a bag is environmentally unsustainable. Switching from thin plastic bags to a temporary "reusable" is like switching from a pack of cigarettes to a couple of cigars. If the bag is cheap it ends up being costly, as people buy the bags repeatedly to replace them. The thicker plastic bags cannot be washed. The polyurethane and nylon bags can be washed. Some of these temporary "reusable" marketing bags have been found to have lead in the advertising ink. The solution is obviously not paper because it is more costly to retailers and the environment.
Concerned about the germs? A cotton bag is washable. Concerned about contaminants? Cotton is biodegradable. Concerned about the cost? Cotton bags last many years. Think of the cotton jeans you have had. You may have patched them, outgrown them or given them away for a second life.
I had a cotton bag for 17 years. This bag went shopping, to the beach, to school, to work and later carried baby supplies. It was still in good condition after many washings and I feel guilty about giving it away. But I'm sure it has a new and happy owner.
Elmont Online Welcomes Ms Dutre to our list of contributers.
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After the disastrous move by the County Executive and the Republican Majority to close half of the police precincts in Nassau County, the Democratic caucus was successful in pushing Ed Mangano's back against the wall so that he gave us a signed guarantee that there would not be one less patrol car in any neighborhood. The agreement additionally stated that there would be more law enforcement personnel in all of the policing centers.
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