I am writing to you out of concern for Winston-Salem’s care for the environment. While we are making little steps towards a greener future I, along with many others, feel that there is more we could be doing. Roughly 380 billion plastic bags are used in the United States alone every year, 100 billion of which are solely shopping bags. This number may not seem so tragic if these bags were recycled. However, that is not the case. Only 1 to 2% of plastic bags are recycled. If you would like to become aware of the dangers of plastic bags to the environment, here is a great website that briefly describes them: www.envirosax.com/plastic_bags_facts. I attribute the statistics previously stated to this website also.
The positive upside to plastic shopping bags is that they are not necessary to daily life. Things like electricity, gas, etc are required for today’s living standards and are more difficult tasks to take on, if one was to attempt to reduce the use of them. YOU can make a difference. Winston-Salem can make a difference. By banning plastic bags in Winston-Salem, we not only reduce the overall production of plastic bags per year, but we also become an example to other cities to do the same.
I know you can help Winston-Salem make a difference, and for this reason I bring this issue to you. In replacement of plastic bags, people can use boxes, reusable cloth bags, etc. Plastic bags have such a harmful effect on the environment and can so easily been eliminated.
