Give The Boot To The Bag:

Eliminating Plastic Bags For Wal-Mart

To: Global Responsibility, Wal-Mart

Courtney Edge

08 March, 2015
Technical Writing

Table of Contents

Introduction
The Chaos Caused By Plastic Bags
At Sea
Plastic Bags On Land
Precious Resources Reserved For Plastic Bags
The Banning Of Bags
Bangladesh
Ireland and United States
California, United States
Give The Bag The Boot
Cloth and Paper Bags
Skeeda Bags
Home- Grown Alternatives
Skeeda Bags for Wal-Mart
References

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The purpose of this report is to persuade Wal-Mart to discontinue distribution of plastic

grocery bags and to implement an alternative bag. The first section details how plastic bags
pollute the aquatic environments, drainage systems, soil, and air of the Earth. The report also
states locations where bag bans have been implemented and the results of those bans. The third

section of the proposal details alternatives to plastic bags and the economical effect and
environmental effect they will have on Wal-Mart and Arkansas. After reviewing all of the data
collected, I recommend the use of Skeeda Bags as the preferred alternative to plastic bags for
Walmart.

Introduction
Globally, plastic bags are distributed and consumed at an alarming rate. Five-hundred
billion and one trillion plastic carrier bags, measured by Los Angeles Department of Public
Works, are distributed each year with the United States taking home roughly 88.5 billion of
them . According to the article, Paper, Plastic, or Prada?, the average family of four uses 1,460
bags a year. Carrier bags are distributed mainly by supermarkets and grocery stores, Wal-Mart
included. With only one percent of those bags being recycled, ninety-nine percent of plastic bag
waste lands in landfills, streams, rivers, oceans, drain pipes, and other areas.
The purpose of this report is to decrease the amount of plastic bags distributed in the
Sherwood, Arkansas area. This report is intended persuade Walmart to use an alternative
grocery bag and stop the distribution of plastic grocery bags.

The Chaos Caused By Plastic Bags

At Sea
The plastic bag is a mobile hazard. Plastic bags can often be found floating in the wind,
hung in high branches, or even drifting down the highway. According to UK Marine
Conservation Societys Director of Conservation, Plastic bags exceed what you would
anticipate to be their population impact because they're so much more mobile than any other
types of litter.

However, Arkansas isn't near an ocean, but it still makes use of waterways and canals for
drainage systems. Plastic bags make their way through the air and by human litter to drainage
pipes and have began to wreak havoc not only in the ocean, but in the waterways of inland states.
They cause taxpayers dollars, measured to be five million in 2008 for Arkansas by Green Eco
Services, to be spent on cleanup of natural parks and rivers because the shorelines are littered
with plastic.
The runaway plastic bags are swept into streams and out to oceans where they cause
tremendous impacts. In 2002, a beached Minke whale, an avid filter-feeder, was found in
Normandy with 800 kilograms of plastic bags and other plastic packaging materials found in its
stomach. Since most animals die away from the shore, autopsies of marine life are not common.
Therefore, The Planet Ark Environmental Foundation estimates tens of thousands of marine life
dies each year because of plastics and carrier bags.

Plastic Bags On Land

Carrier bags made from plastic are impacting more than just marine life. These plastic
bags are polluting the air and soil. According to National Geographic, the bags that actually
make their way to landfills take as long as one-thousand years to decompose or rot into the
surrounding soil and release harmful greenhouse gases and particles during the process. Not
only do plastic bags take far longer to decompose than to make them, or even use them, the air
and soil are being polluted while doing so.
As an Arkansan myself, I can't help but to notice how large, the garbage mountain of
Jacksonville has gotten within just the last few years. It stands next to a heavily traveled

interstate, and every once in awhile, you will catch a glimpse of a white grocery bag come
tumbling off the mountain on the breeze and getting stuck on passer byers cars or floating into
the water surrounding the interstate. Directly beside the landfill is a grouping of swamps and
ponds. The bags blown off the trucks and the hill land there and become a problem for the
environment. However, the bags that stay on the mountain become a problem for the people of
Arkansas. The plastic bags take thousands of years to decompose and are taking up valuable
space that other decomposable wastes could use. Eliminating plastic carriers bags from one of
the worlds largest supermarket chain would cut down on not only Arkansass waste dilemma,
but a major part of the world's.

Precious Resources Reserved For Plastic Bags

Apart from pollution, plastic bag production is dwindling already scarce resources.
According to Elizabeth DeMeo from the Fraser Forum, it takes twelve million barrels of fossil
fuels and oils to produce one hundred billion plastic bags. Greenhouse gases are poured into the
air through the production, This means, if the world continued to consume only 500 billion
plastic bags a year, it would not only burn through six-hundred million barrels of oil each year, it
would also push out tons of gases. However, since the introduction of the plastic bag in 1970,
the rate of production and use has only increased. With the increase of bag use, the oil required
for manufacture will also increase. Wal-mart, on their has cut down on their energy use by
placing atriums into the ceiling of their stores, as well as limiting the use of certain cash
registers and doors during the times of decreased store activity, which is posted on the
Renewable Energy page on Walmarts Website. However, what is Wal-Mart doing about the
amount of fossil fuels theyre plowing through in order to continue to distribute plastic grocery

bags? Walmart is saving electricity but not saving fossil fuels. Electricity can be generated but
a fossil fuel is not a renewable source.
The Banning Of Bags
Bangladesh
Some locations have recognized the mentioned effects of plastic bags and have
implemented specific bans, regulations, or even the complete prohibition of plastic bags. In
2002, Bangladesh totally banned the manufacture and sale of plastic bags. A fine was issued to
anyone caught using plastic bags as well as the possibility of the offender receiving up to ten
years in jail and a hefty fine. Bangladesh was pushed to make such drastic regulations because,
according to Caroline Williams of New Scientist, the countryside was experiencing abnormally
severe flooding during the monsoon seasons. Upon an investigation, the Buriganga River, which
flows through the capital city, was entirely dammed with plastic bags as well as small water
drains surrounding the city. Like Bangladesh, Arkansas waterways have been found to contain
plastics. Kenneth Linn produced an article called Yes, You might Now Be the Biggest Polluter
of the Arkansas River. It described how plastics are building up in the river and waterway.
Arkansas can be preventative by stopping the flow of plastic bags to the waterways before it
causes major problems, instead of treating the issue after the fact.
Ireland and United States
Ireland has also taken part in the regulation of plastic bags. It has placed a fifteen cent
levy, responsible by the customers to pay, for every plastic bag used. Reports after the
implementation of the levy revealed that a ninety percent drop has been seen and a considerable
amount of money has been raised from the levy and given to environmental projects. Closer to
home, Washington D.C. implements a similar ban to Ireland. Although the tax isnt as high,

being a measly five cents compared to Irelands fifteen, it has gone one step further. A bag fee
has been placed on paper bags and has also completely outlawed the use of plastic single use
grocery bags. Therefore, consumers in that area are forced to use a more responsible bag such as
cloth or canvas bags. This means that the United States is growing closer to the goal of
eliminating new plastic bags waste and is recognizing that paper bags are simply not an option
either. Arkansas Matters posted an article in March of 2015 that reported the use of Google
cameras that Wal-Mart uses to track deforestation in Arkansas and other states. Because WalMart is using the preventative measure of tracking deforestation, the use of paper bags would not
work for Wal-Mart.

California, United States

The first state in the United States has banned the use of plastic bags. In 2014, Governor
Jerry Brown of California signed a law, according to Scholastic News, that banned distribution of
disposable plastic bags in stores. Wal-Mart, being a supercenter and grocer, has had to meet
specific guidelines and provide alternatives to plastic bags by July 2015 while smaller stores
must meet the requirement by 2016. More states in the United States, like Washington and
California, are looking to jump onto the bandwagon and ban the use of plastic grocery bags.
This means that Wal-Mart, along with other major grocers, are on the hunt for plastic bag
alternatives.
Alternatives to Plastic Bags
Alternatives to plastic grocery bags are in high demand. Would it not be reasonable to use
the same rules and regulations across all Wal-Mart stores in the United States? Because
California is requiring new bags, it would seem more logical to implement the same alternatives

across the chain The waterways of Arkansas are becoming clogged, the landfill is exploding in
size annually from the plastic build up, greenhouse gasses are released when the bags finally
decompose, and many more hazardous effects have emerged. Wal-Mart, or any company for
that matter, would not logically want to risk the health of Earth and its inhabitants for one single
use of a plastic grocery bag.
Cloth and Paper Bags
The most popular alternative to plastic bags have been paper and cloth bags. However,
these choices are not as great as once thought. Mentioned above, paper bags suck major
resources out of the Earth such as trees. Bleaching is also a major factor that poses as a
disadvantage for paper bags. Cloth bags, a seemingly better choice has also been rebutted by the
Fraser Forum. A study on cloth bags revealed that many reusable cloth bags are not used for just
grocery items and more than half of them have been found to contain strong bacteria such as E
Coli. Not only are the bags laden with bacteria, they still contain plastic. Some are lined with a
plastic coating to prevent leaks and water damage while many sport plastic handles, according to
New Yorks Business Journal. These bags will not benefit Wal-Mart because the bags are still
lined with harmful plastic.
Skeeda Bags
A cleaner and more environmentally friendly alternative to plastic bags has arrived. A trio
of sisters in Northern New York have began manufacturing an alternative called a Skeeda Bag.
It is a one-hundred percent cotton bag that mimics the body and shape of todays plastic grocery
bags. It is slightly larger than the plastic counterpart, enlarged to fit two to three times more
volume of products, but is staying true to an Earth friendly vibe. It is handmade and made in
the United States. Unlike most cloth bags, it lacks the polypropylene handles. Those handles

have been switched out for a , slightly more expensive, swatch of canvas. These bags are a much
more efficient than plastic bags and even though they are cloth bags, by switching out the
handles and keeping the product in the United States, they still outdo their traditional reusable
cloth competitors. To ensure the health of consumers, it is suggested that grocers who require
cloth bags should educate their customers about the dangers of improper care of their bags.
Wal-Mart released an article on their webpage in 2006 where they funded an education program
for communities about global warming. Educating these communities about food and Skeeda
Bag safety might also be beneficial.
Home-Grown Alternatives
Another alternative, that isn't completely out on the market yet, but should still be
considered, is a product that is currently being manufactured by Mountain Equipment Co-Op.
According to Mountain Equipment Co-Op, they are currently working on and implementing the
use of bags made from corn. It is currently several times more expensive than the plastic bags,
but they are a more ethical substitute for plastic. Because they are made of corn, they are an
excellent choice for Arkansas-based companies such as Wal-mart. In Arkansas and surrounding
states, the renewable resource is grown in epic proportions and would easily be attainable by
Wal-Mart. They also decompose extremely quickly, which will limit the excess waste that plastic
bags build up in stores. Wal-mart has recently been participating in a plastic bag waste collection
that involves packaging the excess bags up and selling them to a company that uses the waste.
However, the corn bags will not only prevent Wal-Mart from spending the time and money to
package up excess bags, they will be biodegradable and will decompose in a matter of weeks,
and save space in Wal-Mart where the plastic bags were once held.

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Compared to plastic, corn based bags pass with shining colors. The corn based bag uses
renewable resources to manufacture the bag and decomposes in as little as four to twelve weeks.
These bags are a stark contrast to the pollution producing plastic bags that take over onethousand years to decompose. They are made from a resource that is produced right here in
Arkansas and as well as many other states. Buying from Arkansas will not only help the homebased company, but the small farmers and large crop producers in the state. After the corn is
purchased, it must be sent to a manufacturer that can produce the bags. Right now,
manufacturers are not located in Arkansas. The cost of the production of the bags might pose as
an issue and time constraint for Wal-Mart, especially if the corn must be shipped from Arkansas
to an out of state producer, back to Wal-Mart headquarters, and then out to other stores across the
nation. Until the production of the bags can be done in Arkansas, the corn based bags are not the
best options for Wal-Mart.

Skeeda Bags for Wal-Mart

I persuade you to choose an alternative similar to the Skeeda Bags. Skeeda Bags or the
option for customers to bring their own bags should be a policy set in place. Stores
implementing these bags may choose to also offer an incentive for using these particular bags. It
will give customers an incentive to buy the reusable bags from Wal-Mart instead of bringing in
their own form of bag. Also, because these bags could house bacteria if not cleaned properly,
Wal-Mart could consider distributing a line of Bag Cleaner that will also promote the use of
the Skeeda Bags and create a profit of sales for Wal-Mart. Apart from the cleaner, Wal-Mart
could also place other types of accessories to go with the Skeeda Bags onto the shelves. Inserting
dividers, pockets, liners, and other types of accessories would also fuel sales for Wal-Mart.
Skeeda does not have these accessories, therefore Wal-Mart could produce their own and profit

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from the sales without dealing with a manufacturer. Not only would this benefit Wal-Mart
economically, it would limit the waste that Wal-Mart is currently having to deal with. Walmart is
packaging up the bags brought back in by customers for recycling. The other portion not brought
in are heading out to landfills and taking years to decompose. With Skeeda Bags, Wal-Mart will
not have to expend time and energy to package up plastic bags.
Wal-Mart, in this report, has been given multiple choices regarding alternatives to plastic
grocery bags but only one is beneficial for both Wal-Mart and the environment. Skeeda Bags, or
a similar prototype, that will limit the effects of decomposition, can be used multiple times, and
hold nearly three times as much as traditional plastic bags. Therefore, they are the best choice
for Wal-Mart. I recommend that Wal-Mart discontinue the use of single use plastic bags and
make use of Skeeda Bags. They can be customized to fit a range of shoppers, reusable, an
economical investment, and safer for the environment and for Wal-Mart.

References
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Division, n.d. Web. 08 Feb. 2015.
"Bye-Bye, Plastic Bags." Scholastic News -- Edition 4 77.10 (2014): 2. Education Research
Complete. Web. 1 Mar. 2015.
"Environmental Impacts." - NTEPA. Northern Territory Environmental Protection Agency, n.d.
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Kondracki, Kathryn. "Skeeda Bags Offer Alternative To Paper And Plastic." Business Journal
(Central New York) 21.35 (2007): 15. Regional Business News. Web. 1 Mar. 2015.
Linn, Kenneth. "Yes, You Might Now Be the Biggest Polluter of the Arkansas River." Schurzkwch. KWCH- TV, 16 Apr. 2008. Web. 06 May 2015.
Green, Kenneth P., and Elizabeth DeMeo. "The Crusade Against Plastic Bags." Fraser Forum
(2013): 31-33. Business Source Complete. Web. 1 Mar. 2015.

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"The High Cost of Litter -Millions of Taxpayer $$$$." Green Eco Services. Green Eco Services,
07 Sept. 2008. Web. 06 May 2015.
McLaughlin, Lisa. "Paper, Plastic Or Prada?." Time International (South Pacific Edition) 33
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Greenrightnow, 17 Apr. 2015. Web. 10 May 2015

"Renewable Energy." Renewable Energy. Walmart Stores, Inc., n.d. Web. 06 May 2015.
Roach, John. "Are Plastic Grocery Bags Sacking the Environment?" National Geographic.
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"Recycling Plastic Bags Jackson TN - Recycling, Jackson TN Recycling Plastic Bags, Jackson
TN Recycling Centers, Jackson TN Recycling Plastic, Jackson TN Recycling Polythene Bags,
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