Plastic bag ordinance could make problem worse

The proposed Dubuque ordinance to discourage merchants from providing plastic bags would have unintended consequences.

That's because the cheap reusable bags made of non-woven polypropylene have a greater carbon footprint than plastic. Their short life span and greater fossil fuel consumption are harmful. Their failed remnants present disposal problems perhaps worse than plastics. There are social consequences from manufacturing in Chinese sweatshops.

Recent studies indicate that most plastic bags are reused, some several times, or are recycled. One ingenious British analysis shows that you would need to use cheap reusable bags dozens of times to achieve better eco-friendly results than a plastic bag reused only once.

Surprisingly, the more expensive and durable cotton reusable grocery bags are even less earth-friendly because of the huge quantity of fossil fuels required in growing, processing and manufacturing.

Merchants pushing the cheap reusables gain an undeserved reputation for being green-oriented. Their customers are lured into believing that they are good citizens and fashionable by being seen acting “green.” It's a fraud that harms us all.

The Dubuque Council will serve its city best by encouraging wise use of plastic or more expensive reusables of organic cotton, fhemp, jute or JungleVine™ (kudzu). An Iowa-based social enterprise I am sponsoring offers Earth's Greenest Bag, crafted in homes without agriculture or manufacturing, and is durable, elastic, minimalistic and lightweight. In the unlikely event our ancient Khmu kudzu bag becomes unusable, burying it will help your garden grow!

Bill Newbrough

Co-founder/Volunteer

Nature Bag Khmu/Lao Poverty Reduction Project

Des Moines