Back to good ole paper bags

DECADES AGO, shoppers used to get their goods packaged mainly in large paper bags until they were phased out for plastic bags. Now, paper bags are to make a comeback on a large scale to the island as the Government’s ban on certain single-use plastic products and Styrofoam containers takes effect next week.

and you wipe your foot on them,” she said.

GLAD IT IS HAPPENING

Ellis’ 21-year-old grandson, Troy Petgrave, said that he had no idea what his grandmother was talking about.

“I never see that bag yet, but I did geography and social studies at school, and I know that plastic is not good for the environment. I didn’t expect them to ban it because the whole world seems like it is going disposable, but not everything that we dispose of is good for the environment,” he said.

He said that the only place he had ever received paper bags was when he bought patties or filled prescriptions.

“I am glad it is happening,” Petgrave said.

Peter Knight, chief executive officer of NEPA, said that plastic is destroying the environment, especially marine life. In fact, fish were now consuming plastic.

“The answer is simple. Paper is biodegradable. It is better for the environment. The breakdown period is short, and once it breaks down, it can be used for mulching,” he told the forum.

Grandmother Ellis is also hoping that disposable diapers will soon be a thing of the past.

“Hopefully, diapers will banned, and these young girls who having babies and can’t wash will go back to buying birdeye material for their baby nappies,” she said.