Reusable Bags, Carriers of E. Coli? by Elizabeth Sheldon

Reusable bags have been all the rage for the past couple years, and rightfully so. Research has found that the plastic bags we get from the supermarket and stores affect humans, animals, and the environment. The toxins held in plastic bags leach into water, making it dangerous to use. Plastic bags also block drainage systems in developing countries. Animals in the ocean mistake the bags for food and sea turtles often think the plastic bags are jellyfish they regularly consume. In turn, their stomachs are filled with loads of waste, including plastic bags. We are running out of places to put our waste such as plastic bags, and they eventually get dumped into the sea, creating plastic ocean patches like the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Not to mention the resources expended to produce plastic bags. Massive amounts of energy are used to produce the mixture of plastic, coming from a fossil fuel oil, and polyethylene. So the question is, do reusable bags which solve the plastic bags problem carry E Coli, making users sick?

The University of Arizona has researched this “problem” and found that it is not actually a problem. They found that 8% of bags were found with E Coli; however, it was a generic strain that does not cause disease. Central College’s campus has recently added the program “Boomerang Bags” that is at the residence halls entrances, where students can borrow a reusable bag to take to the grocery store. With these bags and a looming fear of E Coli, the dangers of getting sick are minimal. These bags will be washed once a year, which is proven to lower bacteria in reusable bags. Reusable bags are yet another way for Central College’s students to step up on the global waste issue and minimize consumption in general.  

 

Brand, David. “The Long, Strange Journey of a Plastic Bag.” Global Citizen, 23 Feb. 2018, www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/follow-the-plastic-bags-polybags-recycling/.

Lober, Douglas. “Environmental Impact. Effects, Dangers of Plastic Bags.” ReuseThisBag.com, 3 Apr. 2018, www.reusethisbag.com/articles/plastic-shopping-bags-environmental-impact/.

Scott, Elfy. “No, Reusable Shopping Bags Probably Won’t Give You E. Coli. Here’s What You Need To Know For The Bag Ban.” BuzzFeed, BuzzFeed, 16 Aug. 2018, www.buzzfeed.com/elfyscott/yes-plastic-bags-are-actually-bad-for-the-environment-and.

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