Proposal – REVISED – spring 2014

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Reusable Bags at Kent State University
Carly H. Dukes, Alicia T. Rapini, Emily M. Thomas
Kent State University
Professor Uma Krishnan
HONR 10297-001
Spring 2014
Table of Contents

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I. Overview ……………………………………………………………………………………….
II. Background …………………………………………………………………………………...
III. Purpose of Study ……………………………………………………………………………...
IV. Scope of Study ………………………………………………………………………………...
V. Benefits ………………………………………………………………………………………..
VI. Timeline for Implementation …………………………………………………………………..
VII. Targeted Audience ………………………………………………………………………….
VIII. Delimitations …………………………………………………………………………………...
IX. Limitations ……………………………………………………………………………………..
X. Data Gathering
A. Primary Sources ……………………………………………………………...
B. Secondary Sources ………………………………………………………….
XI. Data Analysis ………………………………………………………………………………….
XII. Summary …………………………………………………………………………………….
XIII. Recommendations and Conclusion …………………………………………………………..
XIV. Appendix
A. Glossary of Terms ……………………………………………………….
B. Survey Information ………………………………………………………..
C. Petition Overview ………………………………………………………...
D. Brochure Overview ………………………………………………………..
E. Interview Transcripts ……………………………………………………….
F. Research Papers ……………………………………………………………..
G. Works Cited ………………………………………………………………..
H. Annotated Bibliography ………………………………………………...
I. Overview

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Our study focuses on the waste produced by environmentally unsustainable
plastic bags and aims to reduce, and eventually eliminate, the use of plastic bags on
campus via the introduction of reusable bags to Kent State students. This semester, we
have focused specifically on gauging and increasing student awareness and involvement
in this initiative.
II. Background
The topic of plastic bags versus reusable bags was chosen because of the negative
environmental impact caused by plastic bag production and waste. As Kent State
University students, we have become aware of the large volume of plastic bags used on
campus and are concerned about the resulting energy consumption and waste. Therefore,
we looked for a feasible solution to the plastic bag problem.
Last semester, we conducted extensive research to gain a holistic understanding of
the role plastic bags play in society. We conducted multiple interviews in order to begin
partnering with stockholders. We also created a survey to gauge student response to the
reusable bag program. Our work last semester revealed a strong campus interest, from
students and administration alike, and we have used this support to build a stronger
foundation for the reusable bag program this semester.
III. Purpose of study
A. Short term: Collaborate with students and faculty to introduce reusable cloth grocery
bags to all dining markets on Kent’s campus, as well as in the campus
bookstore.
B. Long term: Make Kent State more sustainable by eliminating all plastic bag use on
campus (in all dining markets and campus bookstore).

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IV. Scope of study
A. The study focuses on the use of plastic grocery bags at the markets and bookstores
on KSU’s campus. The project aims to replace the use of plastic grocery bags with
reusable cloth bags beginning in the fall of 2014 in order to reduce the negative
environmental impacts of plastic bags. The project will require collaboration with
university faculty and students to increase sustainability awareness and bring about
change.
V. Benefits of program
A. Benefits to students at KSU
1. Increased knowledge of sustainability
2. A greener campus
3. Personal reusable bag for use on and off campus
4. Involvement in the design of the bag
5. Incentives for the use of reusable bags
6. Participation in student initiated sustainability program
B. Benefits to university
1. Advertisement on bags
2. Public recognition of sustainability efforts
3. Elimination of plastic bag expenses
VI. Timeline for implementation

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A. Increase student involvement beginning Spring 2014
B. Continue sale of cloth bags in KSU dining and bookstores (began Spring 2014)
C. Eliminate regular use of plastic bags on campus by Spring 2015/Fall 2015
VII. Targeted audience
A. Current students at Kent State (Kent campus)
B. Management at Kent State (staff and faculty)
VIII. Delimitations of study
A. Population
1. study is limited to current Kent State main campus students
B. Location of plastic bags
1. in KSU markets at Eastway, Prentice, and Rosie’s
2. in KSU campus bookstore
IX. Limitations of study
A. Money: Spend no more than $50 for purchasing resources and preparing materials
B. Time: Research collection time constrained to time frame presented 2013–2014
academic school year (August 26, 2013–May 2, 2014)
C. Resources: Transportation availability will vary depending on day and time
X. Data gathering
A. Primary:
1. Gauge student interest in the program via the following:

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a. Create online petition advocating for our cause
b. Distribute surveys to gauge student interest in getting involved with the
initiative
2. Conduct further interviews with the following stockholders:
a. Jackson Garrity
- fellow student (Provost Leadership Academy student group
working to reduce plastic bag use on campus)
d. Manager of Rosie’s
- discuss progress of selling reusable bags at Rosie’s market
B. Secondary: Appropriate textbooks, articles, newspapers, online academic sources*
*see annotated bibliography for further list of secondary sources
XI. Data analysis
Figure 1
Figure 1 indicates a majority of students who participated in our survey live on campus; this is
very important, as it provides a solid foundation for gathering on-campus interest in this
program.

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Figure 2
Figure 2 asked students whether they would be interested in furthering their involvement with
the reusable bag program. A majority of the students were interested—54.39%. Following this
question, we offered for students to enter their email address to join our mailing list; we were
thrilled to have 51 students sign up.
Figure 3
Figure 3 shows the results from asking students whether they are aware Rosie’s market is
currently selling reusable bags. The response indicates that a clear majority (81.4%) are unaware.
We are thrilled that Rosie’s is selling reusable bags to students, and we would love to increase
awareness of this opportunity dining services has provided. Through the development of this

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program, as well as the incorporation of promotional and marketing material, we hope to see an
increase in the number of students who are aware of reusable bags being sold.
XII. Summary of analysis
The goal of this initiative is to eliminate plastic bags use at Kent State University
in order to promote environmental sustainability on campus. Through the introduction of
reusable bags at Rosie’s market, implementation has begun. We would like to see a
formal distribution of reusable bags by fall 2014/spring 2015, eliminating regular plastic
bag use by fall 2015. Research showed that numerous universities have already
implemented similar projects following this timeline and have been successful in doing
so.
In creating and sustaining this program support from students, faculty, staff, and
administration was, and continues to be necessary. The collection of 205 signatures on
our petition, as well as the 71 responses to our survey, and the 51 additions to our email
list indicate there is a strong student interest in pursuing the full implementation of this
program. Recycling Coordinator Leah Graham, Manager of Sustainability Melanie
Knowles, Dining Services Coordinator Richard Roldan, and Rosie’s Manager Mark
Lewis have all indicated a absolute support for this sustainability initiative. We are
thankful for their support and expertise, and we look forward to continuing our
partnership with them.
XIII. Recommendations and Conclusion
Based on the continuation of our research this semester, there are several

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recommendations we have as the program continues to be further implemented by the
university. In regards to finances, Richard Roldan, in our personal interview with him and
the KSU dining staff last semester, offered to work with us and help provide some Dining
Services funding for purchasing the reusable cloth bags. We plan to continue working
with him and his staff throughout this program. In addition, we would like to see a
competition for the image designed on the bag, in which students can submit a
sustainability-themed design. Dining services also offered to pay for a prize as an award
to the student with the winning design. Collaboration with Kent State Visual
Communication Design students, via AIGA (their student organization) and with the
Kent State Art Club is recommended.
We recommend the continuation of selling the reusable bags at the markets for a
nominal fee and potentially offering incentives to students who use reusable bags. For the
time being, we recommend that plastic bags are still offered in the markets and
bookstores free of charge for students who choose to not use reusable bags. As the
reusable bag program grows, we would like to see reusable bags presented to each
student of the incoming freshman class when he or she receives his or her Welcome
Weekend packet. We would also like to see a “Bag Share Program” being developed in
the near future, as the project expands. This way students would have the ability to
borrow a reusable bag if he or she forgets to bring it or misplaces it. Ultimately, we
would like to see all plastic bags eliminated from campus by Fall 2015.
XIV. Appendix
A. Glossary of Terms
1. Environmental sustainability is understanding the impact of each individual

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on the environment. It relates the three P’s: people, planet, and property.
Environmental issues are viewed from a local and global scale and decisions are
made in order to preserve the ability of the environment to support the needs of
future generations.
2. Limitations of a study are inhibitory factors that are outside of the researcher’s
control.
3. Delimitations of a study are inhibitory factors that the researcher chooses and
are clearly mentioned and explained.
4. Community-based social marketing is a marketing theory based on the
thought that in order to bring about sustainable change, it is necessary to alter
one’s attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs and to offer some form of incentive for
doing so.
5. Microns are the metric unit equivalent to one millionth of a meter and are used
in measuring the thickness of plastic bags.
B. Survey Information
1. Questions

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2. Response Overview
The 71 survey responses to our student interest survey this semester were
very positive. Via kwiksurveys.com, we created a web-based survey, sending the
link to a random sampling of fellow Kent State students via BlackBoard’s
emailing program. Students showed a clear interest in our program, and many
were interested in becoming involved. We plan on using this information to build
a strong foundation of student support as we look to continuing implementation of
this program next semester. For more detailed information on the responses to
select survey information, please see Figures 1–3 in section IX, Data Analysis.
C. Petition Overview
Via the online petition site ipetitions.com, we set up a web-based petition to
gather
signatures in support of this sustainability initiative. Following the same distribution

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method as the survey, we sent links to fellow classmates, and received an overwhelming
support. 205 signatures, and counting, were provided. Students who chose to leave a
comment were very supportive, sharing a variety of comments, including “I would
definitely use them because I have a ton of bags in my room I just use for trash bags” and
“I would buy these reusable bags if/when they are sold.” This student support is very
encouraging to the development and strengthening of this program.
D. Brochure Overview
1. Design(two-sided; tri-fold style)
a. Page 1
b. Page 2

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2. Intended Use
Once we have created our formal email list, we plan to distribute this
brochure
through it, to beginning educating our fellow classmates. The key to a strong
sustainability program is to first educate students, then engage them in the
planning, which leads to empowering them to make a difference.
E. Interview Transcripts
1. Jackson Garrity, Provost Leadership Academy
An informal interview with Jackson Garrity, a fellow freshman student
involved
with the Provost Leadership Academy, provided important insight for the
furthering of this program. Jackson is working with 11 other PLA students to
reduce plastic bag use on campus, as part of a required PLA project. They, too,
have met with different campus officials and faculty to discuss the possibility of
formally implementing this program. While their involvement with PLA comes to

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a natural close at the end of the Spring 2014 semester, Jackson said some group
members may be interested in furthering their research. If this is so, we would
love to partner with their group, combining resources and support. A brief
snapshot of our notes from meeting with Jackson are as follows:
2. Mark Lewis, Manager of Rosie’s Market and Diner
An email interview with Mark Lewis provided insight to the current sales
of
reusable bags at Rosie’s, as well as contact information to further our research in
the sale and distribution of reusable bags.

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3. Richard Roldan, Head of Dining Services
Earlier in our project, we approached dining services with our idea of
bringing reusable bags to markets across campus. Now that we are nearing the
implementation stage, we are planning to work more with dining services to
expand our reusable bag initiative further.We plan to meet with Richard Roldan
again in the near future.
F. ResearchPapers

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1. Environmental - Emily Thomas
Bagging Plastic: Environmental Sustainability and Plastic Bags
From a holistic perspective, the unfortunate reality of the 21st century mindset is one
where convenience has the utmost authority. Regardless of class, age, or upbringing, the human
race as a whole possesses a natural tendency to prefer convenience. In its most raw form,
choosing convenience is not necessarily a negative quality. In fact, opting for convenience can
minimize stress and increase workflow. This is not to say, however, convenience comes without
a flaw. Consistently choosing the convenient method of solving a problem can damage society
when external elements are inadvertently altered.
This flaw is most evident in the use of plastic bags for consumer purchasing. Across the
board, humans have resorted to depending upon the convenience of plastic bags. When one
ventures to the grocery or to the mall, one does not have to remember to bring a bag, or to carry a
container for holding the day’s purchases. Rather, at the checkout, the consumer’s items will
simply be packaged by the cashier or bagger. This reduces a consumer’s need to exert extra
energy, streamlining the purchasing process. One’s dependence upon plastic bags in this way,
may appear harmless.
However, what happens when a consumer’s empty plastic bag gets caught in the wind
and becomes one of the 46,000 plastic bags which are blown into the ocean each year (“Bring
Your”)? Floating in the water, this bag is mistaken for a jellyfish, prompting a sea turtle to
attempt eating it. The bag becomes entangled in the digestive system, causing the sea turtle to
join the other 86% of its species which have experienced death or suffering by plastic bag
consumption (“Nasty Plastic Facts”). Wildlife is being harmed and the environment is being
neglected through seemingly convenient plastic bag use. There comes a point when one must

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question his or her actions; to live out of convenience is to act out of selfish ambition—one
cannot ignore the impact he or she has upon the environment.
From a local level to a global level, consumer’s dependency upon plastic bags negatively
affects the environment. Globally, plastic bags are used for consumer purchasing. The
dependency on plastic bags causes a wide spread of plastic trash in landfills, waterways, and
forestry. The health and safety of animals—on land and in water—are threatened as plastic bags
can lead to suffocation and even death. By consistently choosing plastic bags instead of more
sustainable alternatives, like reusable bags, the environment endures difficulty. This is due in
part to the “convenience is king” mentality humans, as a whole, exhibit.
For example, in the United States, approximately 30 billion plastic bags are used per year
at the expense of 12 million barrels of oil (“Bring Your”). Oil is a natural resource—and a
nonrenewable one at that. As the American oil supply is limited, society had turned to highly
controversial methods of drilling for oil, including hydraulic fracking. While fracking is still
legal is most areas, it is believed to cause water damage. If the United States prioritized their use
of oil, refraining from utilizing it on frivolous convenient items like plastic bags, there would be
no need for experimentally dangerous measures like fracking.
Not only are necessary natural resources being foolishly depleted by the production and
distribution of plastic bags, but the environment is suffering as a result. The damage plastic bags
inflict upon the nation parallel the damage noted at the global level. Once again, the health and
prosperity of wildlife is being put at risk; marine animals and birds tend to innocently consume
and become entrapped in the ubiquitous plastic bag (“Campaign Against”). As plastic bags float
through the wind and are caught in trees and rivers, the United States must continuously invest in
the maintenance of national parks and roadsides, in order to eliminate this unsightly plastic litter.

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Regionally, awareness of the unsustainable nature of plastic bags has increased,
particularly on college campuses. College students are becoming more aware of their
dependency upon plastic bags. They realize the negative impact their plastic bag use has upon
the environment, and they feel compelled to make a difference for the best. Students at the Ohio
University, in Athens, Ohio, for example, have created a plastic bag awareness program to
reduce, and eventually eliminate, the use of all plastic bags on campus. Students, faculty, and
administration alike have come together to support and further this initiative. So far, the results
of this program have been very successful, and Ohio University is becoming a more
environmentally sustainable campus (Drabold).
The need to reduce plastic bag use is recognized on even a local level. In Kent, Ohio, at
Kent State University, a reusable bag initiative is in the beginning stages of implementation. As a
component of Professor Uma Krishnan’s Honors Sustainability course, freshman students have
spent the past two semesters researching and developing a plan to reduce plastic bag
consumption. Through a series of student-response surveys, it can be estimated the Kent State
main campus uses approximately 24,366 plastic bags per week. The implementation of a
reusable bag program would help to significantly reduce the amount of plastic bags in use. The
longer this program is utilized, the more environmentally sustainable Kent’s main campus will
become.
Regardless of location and social level, the human race as a whole is beginning to
recognize the errors of acting out of convenience. Society has taken a strong interest in
understanding the role plastic bags play in the consumer culture. Policies are being implemented
and programs are being introduced; progress toward a more sustainable future. In the words of
conversationalist Baba Dioum Sengalese, “In the end, we will conserve only what we love. We

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only love what we understand. We only understand what we are taught.” By investing the time to
educate each other, knowledge can be shared and a common goal can be reached. Protecting the
environment, and creating a more sustainable future can be a large task, but with the support and
dedication of individuals and communities around the world, the task is most definitely
manageable.
2. Economic - Alicia Rapini
Economic Sustainability of Reusable Bags
People love when things are free. This is especially true in today’s society where the
world revolves around money and materialism. Stores have learned to use advertisements of free
items to lure customers into their stores, and it has proven to be an excellent business strategy.
Customers are more willing to purchase more products when they think that they are saving
money from not having to buy this “free” product. It is a strategy that almost all stores use,
whether they are aware of it or not. A commonly overlooked “free” item is the carryout bag.
Stores hand them out to customers as a reward for purchasing their other products, yet they are
never viewed as a huge incentive to customers. Since carryout bags are able to be purchased by
retailers at such a low price, their importance is often overlooked. However, despite being
considered such an insignificant aspect of our nation’s economy, plastic, paper and reusable bags
play a very important role in maintaining sustainability.
Single use plastic bags are the most widely distributed type of bag throughout the
country. It is estimated that the average consumption rate of plastic bags is 433 per capita
(AECOM Technical Services, 59). The majority of these single use plastic bags can be found in
traditional stores, such as grocery and retail stores. According to AECOM Technical Services,
plastic bags are used in 96% of transactions that take place in traditional stores (41). Retailers

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normally prefer plastic bags because their low cost makes them able to be offered to customers
for free. Without having to pay an additional cost for bags, customers will be more willing to
shop at that store and purchase more items while shopping. The typical price that businesses pay
for single use plastic carryout bags ranges between one half cent and one cent (AECOM
Technical Services 38). Such a low expense to both consumers and retailers makes plastic bags
the ideal economic option.
Paper carryout bags have also begun to be distributed by many retail stores as an
alternative for plastic bags. Paper bags have proven to be much more efficient, with a carrying
capacity of approximately 1.8 plastic carryout bags (AECOM Technical Services 42). By not
having to carry as many bags, customers will be much happier and might even purchase more
items when shopping. The main concern that retailers face is the expense of paper bags, which
ranges between about five to fifteen cents per bag (AECOM Technical Services 38). It is because
of this significantly higher price that only 2% of transactions in traditional stores use paper bags
(AECOM Technical Services 41). As a result, many large retailers have determined paper bags
to be an undesirable economic option.
Reusable bags are an environmentally sustainable option of carryout bags that have
begun to be offered in stores throughout the country. However, reusable bags have proven to be
not nearly as economically efficient as their paper and plastic bag competitors. Similar to paper
bags, they have not become as popular among traditional stores and consist of only 2% of
transactions (AECOM Technical Services 41). This can most likely be contributed to the high
cost of reusable bags, ranging between seventy-five to ninety-nine cents per bag (AECOM
Technical Services 48). This price is a drawback to both retailers and consumers since retailers
are no longer able to offer the bags for free. Another problem with reusable bags is that they do

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not have immediate rewards, it takes multiple uses before they are considered to be efficient.
According to research done by AECOM Technical Services, “a reusable bag must have a
minimum lifetime of 125 uses, which means the capability of carrying a minimum of 22 pounds
125 times over a distance of at least 175 feet and have a minimum volume of 15 liters” (49). It is
very possible that many reusable bags do not reach this number of uses, and are therefore
considered as inefficient. It is because of their high price and economic inefficiency that many
businesses have chosen not to distribute reusable bags.
As a response to the negative effects that plastic bags have been proven to have on the
environment, some cities around the US have issued a ban on single use plastic bags. The intent
of this ban was to reduce the excess of plastic that was beginning to clog up landfills, as well as
encourage the use of more sustainable options such as paper and reusable bags. The bag ban did
prove to be successful in convincing customers to use less plastic bags. It was observed by
AECOM Technical Services that after a charge was placed on plastic bags in stores, only a third
of customers chose to still use plastic bags. This contrasted largely to the two thirds of customers
that chose to use plastic bags before the ban was enacted (39). The Equinox Center also reported
that plastic bag bans helped to increase reusable bag usage by almost 40% (3). However,
AECOM Technical Services also noted that retailers responded very negatively to this
movement. They were concerned that local customers would choose to shop elsewhere due to
higher retail prices and additional charges for paper bags that would occur as a result of the ban
(37). Their concerns were understandable. In a study conducted by the National Center for Policy
Analysis, it was discovered that “commerce in incorporated business has been dealt a significant
blow in the year following the bag ban… those within jurisdiction reported a decline around 6%.
The decline in growth also brought a spike in unemployment for incorporated businesses”

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(Vilarreal 3). Although the study did admit that they did not take into account the declining
nature of the economy at that time, it was still a much larger decrease than what was recorded in
businesses that were not affected by the bag ban. Consumers were also affected by this ban, with
AECOM Technical services reporting that 40% of consumers were unwilling to pay for plastic
bags (61). As a result, they turned to reusable and paper bags to carry their items. However, in an
analysis of the economic impacts of plastic bag bans done by the Equinox Center, they
concluded that there was an “estimated cost of $7.70 per household in the first year after the ban
to purchase reusable bags and to account for any fees associated with paper bag usage” (5). This
extra fee for alternative bag options was probably devastating to many households, especially
with customers used to not having to pay any expense for carryout bags at all. It is because of
these negative economic effects that many cities are hesitant to issue plastic bag bans.
Along with hurting the economy of local cities, plastic bag bans have also been observed
to be not all that environmentally stable. When choosing to place a plastic bag ban on their
citizens, cities often view the environmental benefits to be the deciding factor. What they
sometimes overlook is the negative effects on the environment that happen during the
production, transportation, and disposal stages. Energy consumption is a key factor during the
production stage. During a study conducted by the National Center for Policy Analysis, it was
found that it required only 182,361.4 kcal of energy to produce a group of traditional plastic
bags, while the same number of paper bags used over 626,672.9 kcal of energy (Villarreal 2).
These numbers hint that it is much more efficient to produce plastic bags than paper bags. In
fact, Villarreal writes that “paper bags had the worst energy and environmental impact with
respect to global warming, land use, water use, and solid waste” (3). Reusable bags have also
been proven to be incredibly wasteful during the disposal stage. Since they are composed of so

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many different elements, it is difficult to properly dispose of them. In another study conducted
by the National Center for Policy Analysis, it was observed that a group of reusable bags
produced the most waste at 7.24 pounds, significantly contrasted by the same quantity of
traditional plastic bags that produced only 5.95 pounds of solid waste (Villarreal 3). Villarreal
also observed that reusable bags are typically produced in foreign countries, leading to high
transportation costs. Cargo ships, the main way of transportation for these bags traveling
between countries, can be a significant generator of pollution (6). These costs are sometimes
overlooked by environmentalists. However, they are valid environmental issues that should be
considered alongside the main argument of the negative effects that plastic products are known
to have on ecosystems.
When looking at plastic bags from an economical viewpoint, they seem like an excellent
investment for companies to make. And from a monetary perspective, they are incredibly
sustainable. However, when viewed from an environmental standpoint, plastic bags can have an
extremely negative effect on natural ecosystems. They are known to clog up landfills and pollute
water systems. It is because of these pollution problems that environmentalists have pushed to
get plastic bags banned and promoted the use of paper and reusable bags. Paper and reusable
bags are deemed economically unsustainable because of their high costs to both consumers and
suppliers, but environmentally their sustainability is unmatchable. The biggest problem that
environmentalists face when trying to implement plastic bag bans is the lack of support from
businesses. It is because of the business world’s infatuation with achieving the highest possible
profit that these programs are unsuccessful. What ultimately needs to be realized is that true
sustainability is not defined by individual success, it is defined by the cooperation of everyone to
help make the world a better place.

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Works Cited
“Economic Impact Analysis: Proposed Ban on Plastic Carryout Bags in Los Angeles County”
AECOM
Technical Services. AECOM Technical Services, 2010. Web. 18 Apr. 2014.
“Plastic Bag Bans: Analysis of Economic and Environmental Impacts” Equinox Center. Equinox
Center, 2012. Web. 18 Apr. 2014.
Villarreal, Pamela. “A Survey on the Economic Effects of Los Angeles County’s Plastic Bag
Ban” Ideas
Changing the World. National Center for Policy Analysis, 2012. 18 Apr. 2014.
3. Social - Carly Dukes
Social Sustainability of Plastic and Reusable Bags
When we go to the grocery store, there are hundreds of things we think about; what do
we need? What do we want? Is this on sale? What we don’t think about are the everyday
mechanics of grocery shopping, like the dozens of plastic bags used to take our groceries home.
We drive home, bring everything inside, put it all away, then shove all of those plastic bags into
a cabinet or a corner, or worse - into the trash can.
Using plastic bags has become a natural part of our daily lives; we don’t put much
thought into it. When we do think about our plastic bag consumption, we may feel guilty, but we
can justify ourselves with the knowledge that we’re just one person; one person can’t make that
much of a difference, right? The fact is, one person can make all the difference; it only takes one
person to set in motion a snowball effect that can influence the habits of a community, a country,
or even the world.
The only way to start making a change is on a community level. And what better

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community than the Kent State community? Our campus goes through massive amounts of
plastic bags, making it the perfect place to raise awareness about their environmental impact.
Students on campus are able to see on a frequent basis the constant use of plastic bags in our
society; the average student on Kent’s main campus uses about 4 plastic bags per week
(“Reusable Cloth Bags”).
Why are plastic bags a problem in the first place? Plastic bags are harmful to the
environment. They are commonly made using petroleum, which is a non-renewable resource that
is detrimental to soil and plant life; this means that plastic bags (that is, the majority that are
made with petroleum) cannot biodegrade; they photodegrade, releasing toxins into the soil
(“Nasty Plastic Facts”). It can take up to 1,000 years for plastic bags to photodegrade, so in the
meantime, they are clogging up landfills, lying abandoned on roadsides, being caught on trees
and other structures, and floating in the ocean (“Nasty Plastic Facts”). Plastic bags are a serious
danger to ocean life; several types of birds and sea turtles have been known to mistake the bags
for food, leading them to choke on the plastic and die (“Nasty Plastic Facts”).
If plastic bags are so bad for the environment, why do we keep using them? The fact that
we often don’t give plastic bags a second thought shows that their use is ingrained in our society.
They are cheap to make, they are lightweight, and most importantly, they are convenient. They
serve their purpose of carrying our groceries, and if we choose to do so, we can use them again
to take out the trash or clean the cat’s litterbox. Companies can order mass quantities of them on
a low budget and keep their profits high. Plastic bags are simply part of our lives.
To consider the removal of plastic bags, we have to look at other options to replace them.
Many locations are switching to paper bags. These bags are a nice alternative to plastic bags, but
they are primarily one-time-use; this makes paper bags unsustainable because of the number of

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trees used to produce them - approximately 14 million trees are used to produce the number of
paper bags used in the US each year (“Bagging Plastic”). Given that a campus the size of KSU
requires a large number of bags to supply a large number of students, we must look to bags that
are reusable. Reusable bags have the potential to eliminate the need for plastic and paper. When
used frequently, they become the most sustainable option for carrying groceries; the key is that
they must be used frequently. There are people who argue the sustainability of reusable bags,
because they require more energy to produce than plastic bags, and some people forget to use
their reusable bags and continue to use plastic bags. Others argue against reusable bags because
if people transport red meat and don’t clean the bag afterward, bacteria may grow.
The issue of carrying red meat can easily be addressed by educating owners of reusable
bags about the bacteria from red meat and keeping their bags clean. This could come in the form
of a sign next to the bags, an article in the Daily Kent Stater, or a message printed inside the bag.
However, there should be little concern about red meat on campus, because students on campus
are not buying red meat. As to the frequent use of reusable bags: The average reusable bag needs
to be used approximately 171 times before it becomes truly sustainable (Profita). There are
several ways to encourage their consistent use; offering fewer plastic bags to students or starting
to charge several cents for each plastic bag would create an incentive to use reusable bags. There
could be a weekly or monthly raffle to reward students who use reusable bags; every student
using a reusable bag could have their name entered by swiping their FlashCard. There could also
be a bag drop system, where boxes are available in markets for students to drop off unwanted
bags, and fellow students could pick them up - this would get maximum usage out of every bag.
Implementing the use of reusable bags on campus would be beneficial to the earth, to the
university, and to students on campus. Students will become more environmentally conscious,

28
which may lead to more sustainable life choices through college and beyond. There has been
clear student interest in the initiative so far, through the surveys and petition signatures we have
collected, and through our email list and Facebook page. It is something that students can get
involved in and feel good about. Kent State University will benefit in several ways: The
university will enhance its “green” reputation, it will foster student involvement and education
on environmental sustainability, it will be able to advertise on the reusable bags, and it will
reduce or eliminate plastic bag costs. Most importantly, the earth will benefit from the reduction
of plastic bag waste and pollution. A healthier earth will benefit all of mankind.
It is clear that in order to create a greener, more environmentally friendly campus,
changes need to be made. Reusable bags have been sold on campus in the past, and they have
recently been reintroduced in Rosie’s, but the availability needs to be made more clear and more
consistent. There should be reusable bags available for purchase in every market on campus.
Students should be actively encouraged to make the sustainable choice and use reusable bags, so
that plastic bag consumption on campus may be reduced and ideally eliminated. Students are the
driving force behind change; make reusable bags the new eco-friendly, up-and-coming trend, and
the students will embrace it. That is what it will take - an attitude for change in our society..
Change is possible; the reliance on plastic bags has been reduced on several college
campuses. Washington University’s student-run Tote Green initiative has led to a dramatic
increase in reusable bag use by students (Marni). Ohio University has replaced all plastic bags
with paper bags, and has also begun providing all students with their own reusable bags
(Drabold). These initiatives were organized by students who wanted to see more sustainable
campuses; Kent State University has all of the potential to be the next success story.
Plastic bags are an unsustainable trend that hurts the environment, the world we live in.

29
Before the world stops using them, the change must take place on a local scale. Many different
cities and universities across the globe have begun making changes, and we too must embrace
the change; our community can impact the rest of society.
Works Cited
"Bagging plastic." State Legislatures 37.5 (2011): 10. Student Resources in Context. Web. 19
Apr.
2014.
Drabold, Will. “Plastic Bags to Be Removed from Campus Markets and Grab N Go's.” The Post.
Marni, Manvitha. "Bag Use Reduction Efforts to Replace Proposed Campus Plastic Bag Ban."
Student
Life. N.p., 5 Sept. 2013. Web. 19 Apr. 2014.
“Nasty Plastic Facts.” Plastic Bag Facts. Love Your Earth, n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2013.
Profita, Cassandra. "Reusable Bags: Only Superior to Plastic If You Reuse Them - a Lot."
Oregon
Public Broadcasting, 19 Feb. 2013. Web. 19 Apr. 2014.
“Reusable Cloth Bags at Kent State University.” Survey. 13 Nov. 2013
G. Works Cited
Works Cited
“Appendix: Policy Instruments Applied Around the World to Tackle the Plastic Bags Problem.”
United

30
Nations Environmental Programme. United Nations Environmental Programme, n.d.
Web. 17 Nov. 2013.
“Bagging plastic.” State Legislatures 37.5 (2011): 10. Student Resources in Context. Web. 5
Nov.
2013.
“Bring Your Own Bag.” Why Bring Your Own Bag? N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2013.
“Campaign Against the Plastic Plague Background Info.” Earth Resource Foundation. Earth
Resource
Foundation, 2013. Web. 5 Nov. 2013.
Drabold, Will. “Plastic Bags to Be Removed from Campus Markets and Grab N Go's.” The Post.
Ohio University, 12 Apr. 2013. Web. 05 Nov. 2013.
“Economic Impact Analysis: Proposed Ban on Plastic Carryout Bags in Los Angeles County”
AECOM Technical Services. AECOM Technical Services, 2010. Web. 18 Apr. 2014.
Garrity, Jackson. Personal Interview. 8 Apr. 2014.
Lewis, Mark. “Re: Students Interested in Reusable Bags at Rosie’s.” Message to Emily Thomas.
8 Apr.
2014. E-mail.
Marni, Manvitha. "Bag Use Reduction Efforts to Replace Proposed Campus Plastic Bag Ban."
Student
Life. N.p., 5 Sept. 2013. Web. 19 Apr. 2014.
Mitchell, Cicely. “Think Green Thursdays: Benefits Of Using Reusable Bags « CBS Houston.”
CBS
Houston. N.p., 31 Jan. 2013. Web. 05 Nov. 2013.

31
“Nasty Plastic Facts.” Plastic Bag Facts. Love Your Earth, n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2013.
“Plastic Bag Bans: Analysis of Economic and Environmental Impacts” Equinox Center. Equinox
Center, 2012. Web. 18 Apr. 2014.
Oregon
Public Broadcasting, 19 Feb. 2013. Web. 19 Apr. 2014.
Roldan, Richard. “Re: Reusable Bags at KSU” Message to Alicia Rapini. 9 Apr. 2014. E-mail.
“Reusable Cloth Bags at Kent State University: Student Interest.” Survey. 4 Apr. 2014.
Smith, Tovia. “How Green are Reusable Bags?” National Public Radio. NPR, 2013. Web. 5
Nov.
2013.
Ban” Ideas Changing the World. National Center for Policy Analysis, 2012. 18 Apr. 2014.
G. Annotated Bibliography
Annotated Bibliography
“Appendix: Policy Instruments Applied Around the World to Tackle the Plastic Bags
Problem.” United Nations Environmental Programme. United Nations
Environmental Programme, n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2013.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is an environmental
agency of the United Nations that provides global assistance to developing countries and
works toward environmentally sustainable policies worldwide. The organization was
established in 1972 and since has initiated many notable environmental, economic, and

32
social sustainability projects across the globe. Ultimately, UNEP aims to be the “voice of
the environment.”
The appendix of their report, entitled “Appendix: Policy Instruments Applied
Around the World to Tackle the Plastic Bags Problem” was beneficial to our research
because it detailed the different approaches nations across the world are taking to reduce
plastic bag use. Each nation’s current legislation and policies regarding plastic bag use
was listed, along with the long-term outcome the nation’s officials hoped to see by
reducing plastic bag use.
Implementing a plastic bag project across an entire nation is done on a much
larger scale than implementing a plastic bag project at Kent State; however, it is
important that we are aware of what others are doing in the fight against plastic bag
consumption. Individuals, communities, colleges, states, and nations– all people need to
work together if true change is desired. Therefore, we can model our project based on
techniques that other nations and organizations have already proved successful.
“Bagging plastic.” State Legislatures 37.5 (2011): 10. Student Resources in Context. Web. 5
Nov. 2013.
State Legislatures is an academic print reference made available online through
Gale Cengage Learning PowerSearch Infotrac. This article was released through the
National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), which is an organization of bi-
partisans dedicated to supporting and advocating for states’ political interests. The
organization was established in 1975 and continues to have a national presence and
impact today.
The article “Bagging Plastic” focuses on states’ political decisions regarding the

33
availability of plastic bags in stores. According to the article, there are a handful of states
across the nation who have decided to implement a tax for using plastic bags instead of
paper or reusable cloth. Some states have banned plastic bags entirely, while others have
opted for eliminating only disposable, non-recyclable plastic bags. While there is not
currently a national policy regarding plastic bag use, the article addresses that there is
certainly an increasing national awareness of the environmental consequences of using
plastic bags.
After understanding the decisions other states were making about plastic grocery
bags, we felt prepared to present a similar program to Kent’s campus. We were able to
study the different approaches other states took and choose the approach that we believe
will be the most appropriate and beneficial to Kent State.
“Bring Your Own Bag.” Why Bring Your Own Bag? N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2013.
The Bay Area Recycling Outreach Coalition, referred to as BayROC, is an
organization centralized in the San Francisco Bay area that focuses on waste reduction
and recycling in over 40 cities in the region. They work especially hard to encourage
public involvement on the issue through organizing campaigns, press events, various
recycling and garbage newsletters, and advertisements and articles for local newspapers.
By providing information and awareness on the issues that the bay area faces, BayROC
has seen significant improvement in the reduction of waste. The program continues to
grow annually and successfully serve the residents of the region.
The article we are referring to focuses on Bring Your Own Bag, a project that was
established by BayROC in the year of 2009. By encouraging people to bring reusable
bags to the store with them, it not only provided a simple way to “go green” in their lives,

34
it also spread awareness of the bags to others. This article chose to focus specifically on
the statistics behind the harmful effects of plastic bags on the environment. Along with
providing impressive statistics, the article also mentions several cities in the San
Francisco Bay Area that have placed bans on the distribution of plastic bags in stores. To
further support this evidence, the article also mentions several countries around the world
that have worked to reduce the use of plastic bags. Some have banned them entirely,
while others have taken smaller steps such as charging small fees for the use of plastic
bags or prohibiting plastic bags of certain thicknesses.
This article will provide excellent factual evidence to support our argument for
the harmful effects that the excessive use of plastic bags can have on the environment.
The statistics will be especially helpful because the calculations are very impressive and
do a good job of getting the point across.
“Campaign Against the Plastic Plague Background Info.” Earth Resource Foundation.
Earth Resource Foundation, 2013. Web. 5 Nov. 2013.
Founded in California in 1999, the Earth Resource Foundation (ERF) is a non-
profit organization that emphasizes the importance of environmental education. This
group of passionate individuals seeks to increase environmental sustainability by raising
awareness on important environmental issues and collaborating with youth, community,
and businesses to bring about change. The ERF does so by organizing educational events
and programs for small and large groups. They also spearhead a series of environmental
awareness campaigns including the Campaign Against the Plastic Plague (CAPP).
We found CAPP to be especially beneficial to our research as they, too, have
recognized the dangers of plastic grocery bags and are working to eliminate their use.

35
CAPP’s goal, to educate society on the harm of plastic bags and to encourage individuals
to choose more sustainable grocery bag options, such as reusable cloth bags, is very
similar to our project’s objective. The article shared statistics, online resources, and news
articles pertaining to plastic grocery bags. They also shared about the environmental
dangers plastic bags pose to the land, water, and animals, as well as the economic
disadvantages the government is forced to face in order to prevent plastic bags from
polluting the oceans and waterways.
This information was beneficial to our research because it helped us to better
understand the unsustainable nature of plastic bags. The statistics will aid in audience
understanding and will help us to explain the damaged plastic bags cause to the
environment and economy. Overall, this article increased our understanding of the issue
and solidified our desire to implement a reusable bag program.
Drabold, Will. "Plastic Bags to Be Removed from Campus Markets and Grab N Go's."
The
Post. Ohio University, 12 Apr. 2013. Web. 05 Nov. 2013.
Will Drabold is the assistant campus editor for Ohio University’s The Post, a
newspaper that prides themselves as being “the independent voice on campus and in
Athens.” This article in The Post, published in May of 2013, focuses on the university’s
new program that seeks to eliminate plastic bags from the college campus. Originally
proposed by junior Alex Slaymaker, the program successfully eliminated all plastic bags
from campus markets at the beginning of the 2013-2014 school year.
This article mainly focuses on the inspiration and planning behind this program
that led to its success. The collaborative effort between the Student Senate, Culinary

36
Services, and Culinary Services Development Committee have been the most helpful
factor in the program. They have even managed to work out the cost of the reusable bags,
with Culinary Services promising to supply a reusable bag to all students who purchased
a meal plan. It has proven to be an effective way to do good for the environment without
accumulating large costs.
This article will be beneficial to our research because it shows another college
campus that has implemented a similar program and had enormous success. It also does a
good job of providing viewpoints from campus coordinators such as the head of Culinary
Services and the assistant director of Auxiliary Sales. This provides us with a better
understanding of the obstacles and successes associated with implementing such a
program on a college campus.
“Economic Impact Analysis: Proposed Ban on Plastic Carryout Bags in Los Angeles
County” AECOM Technical Services. AECOM Technical Services, 2010. Web. 18 April
2014.
AECOM is a provider of technical support services to cities around the world.
Their company includes a wide variety of scientists, architects, engineers, programmers,
construction managers, and various other occupations. The main goal of AECOM is to
enhance and sustain the world’s natural and social environments.
AECOM has conducted a significant amount of research on the effects of plastic
bag bans in order to determine whether they provide a stable and sustainable environment.
This article specifically focuses on the economic side of plastic bag bans, which aren’t as
rewarding as the environmental side.
This article has proven to be extremely helpful in our research because it

37
approaches our argument from a different side. Most of our project focuses on the
environmental aspect of plastic bags, but the economic side is a whole new perspective.
The data and statistics that were collected by AECOM Technical Services have helped us
to realize the importance of economic sustainability and what a large role it plays in our
project.
Garrity, Jackson. Personal Interview. 8 Apr. 2014.
Jackson Garrity is a fellow freshman at Kent State involved in the Provost
Leadership Academy (PLA). As a part of PLA, he and 11 other group members have
spent the past two semesters researching ways to improve Kent State. Their group
decided to address the use of plastic bags on campus, by finding more sustainable
methods of disposal.
Through their research, Jackson’s group learned Kent State’s main recycling
processing center is located in Kimble Township, and luckily, this recycling facility is
capable of recycling plastic bags. However, in order to do so, the plastic bags must first
be separated from all other recycling contents. Therefore, Jackson’s group proposed a
university mandated separation of campus recyclables, before sending the recyclables to
the processing center. They also researched and discussed the possibility of introducing
reusable bags to campus, too.
Meeting with Jackson provided great insight in regards to recycling at Kent State,
as well as provided a new angle for approaching plastic bag consumption. Jackson and
his group presented to the Provost and the campus leadership board on April 15, and we
will be anxious to hear whether the university decides to pick up their program. In the
future, we hope to continue collaborating with Jackson and his group members in making

38
Kent State more sustainable.
Lewis, Mark. “Re: Students Interested in Reusable Bags at Rosie’s.” Message to Emily
Thomas. 8 Apr. 2014. E-mail.
Mark Lewis is a member of the Kent State dining services staff and serves as the
manager of Rosie’s diner and market on campus. When we noticed the sale of reusable
bags at Rosie’s, beginning at the start of the Spring 2014 semester, we were excited and
interested in learning more about the sale progress. We contacted Mr. Lewis to discuss
the success of sales, as well to gain more information on bags themselves.
Through this interview, we learned the bags are being sold at $1.99 each, and
students can use their FlashCard to pay for them, which is a very convenient option. Mr.
Lewis said they had sold reusable bags in the past—for approximately two years now—
and have sold an estimated total of 175 bags. He suggested we contact their marketing
person Justin Lagre to gain more specific information on the brand and styles of bags
purchased by the university.
Overall, Mr. Lewis was very supportive of our project and said he absolutely
supported the introducing reusable bags on campus. Collaboration with him, as well as
the entire Dining Services staff, will be key to the success of this initiative. We are
thrilled to be able to partner with them as we work together to create a more sustainable
future for Kent State students and faculty alike.
Marni, Manvitha. "Bag Use Reduction Efforts to Replace Proposed Campus Plastic Bag
Ban." Student Life. N.p., 5 Sept. 2013. Web. 19 Apr. 2014.
Marni’s article in Student Life talks about the initiative taken by Washington University
students to introduce reusable bags on campus. Although they were not able to provide a

39
reusable bag to every student as they had hoped, they have greatly increased the use of
reusable bags and popularized them among students.
This article is key to our cause because it shows that there is student interest in reusable
bags and it is possible to make them more prevalent on a college campus.
Mitchell, Cicely. “Think Green Thursdays: Benefits Of Using Reusable Bags.” CBS
Houston. N.p., 31 Jan. 2013. Web. 05 Nov. 2013.
Cicely Mitchell currently works as the digital content editor and radio
personality for CBS Radio Houston. She holds degrees from Michigan State University,
as well as the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Throughout her time with
CBS Radio Houston, Mitchell has shared her talents in broadcasting, creative writing,
and journalism.
Mitchell’s online news article “Think Green Thursdays: Benefits of Using
Reusable Bags” shared statistics and figures that persuaded the audience to eliminate
their use of plastic bags. Mitchell shared the detrimental impact plastic bags can have
upon the cleanliness of waterways, as well as the health and safety of animals. She also
commented on the environmental damages caused by creating plastic bags and depositing
the bags in landfills.
Her article benefitted our research because it provided us with statistics and
scenarios that illustrate the environmental dangers of using plastic bags. We can use this
information to inform students as to why plastic bags are not sustainable. Students will be
more interested in changing their actions and eliminating plastic bags if they first
understand why plastic bags are detrimental to the environment.
“Nasty Plastic Facts.” Love Your Earth. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2013.

40
Love Your Earth is an company that produces reusable bags. These bags help
reduce the need to use plastic bags, and they are also organically made in the United
States. As an additional incentive, the company promises to donate one percent of the
profits to the Sea Turtle Restoration Project to compensate for all of the turtles that have
died as a result of plastic bag pollution. For six years, the project has worked to raise
awareness and encourage the use of reusable bags in stores.
This particular article shares statistics of the amount of plastic bags used per year
and the impact that they have on the environment. It focuses on the cost of production,
along with the harm that is inflicted upon the environment during the distribution of mass
quantities of plastic bags. It also discusses the large amount of resources that the
production process requires. After the bags are used, they are often redistributed in
wasteful ways. This article especially focuses on the harmful effects that plastic bags
have on wildlife, particularly aquatic wildlife that accidently ingest the non-
biodegradable bags.
This article will be very helpful for our paper because it provides many helpful
statistics that will help secure our point about the need for reusable bags on campus. The
impact that it has on animals will be especially helpful because it will appeal to the
emotions of our audience.
“Plastic Bag Bans: Analysis of Economic and Environmental Impacts” Equinox
Center. Equinox Center, 2012. Web. 18 Apr. 2014.
The Equinox Center is non profit group that works to help maintain a sustainable
economy, environment, and quality of life for the people of the San Diego region. The
Equinox Center is able to assist community leaders in improving the city of San Diego by

41
conducting thorough scientific and economic research. They also work closely with the
media so that they can create awareness about certain issues and encourage the public to
become more involved.
This article focuses on the economic and environmental effects of some of the bag
bans that have begun to take place in San Diego. It talks about many of the positive
effects of the ban that the city has noticed, such as a significant increase in reusable bag
usage. However, they also focus on the economical side of the bag ban and negative
impacts that it can have on both consumers and retailers.
The Equinox Center’s research has proven to be very helpful in our project
because it provides us with statistics from both an environmental and an economical
perspective. It also provides us with information from the point of view of the consumer
as well as the retailer. All of these different sides to the argument over the plastic bag ban
are incredibly helpful to our research. They also help us from becoming too biased as we
work hard to get our project implemented on campus.
Oregon Public Broadcasting, 19 Feb. 2013. Web. 19 Apr. 2014.
Cassandra Profita wrote a counterpoint article in which she discussed the possible
negative effects of reusable bags, namely the fact that you must use the bags many times
in order for them to become truly sustainable.
This article aided our project planning because it gave us another angle of reusable bags
for us to analyze - our mission is to make KSU a more sustainable campus, so we want to
make sure that a reusable bag program would take full advantage of the bags. It inspired
our idea of a “bag drop,” or bag sharing program, so that each and every bag is reused to

42
its fullest extent, maximizing their sustainability.
“Reusable Cloth Bags at Kent State University: Student Interest.” Survey. 4 Apr. 2014.
Beginning at the start of April 2014, we distributed an online survey to a random
sampling of Kent State, receiving 71 responses. Our survey consisted of 8 multiple
choice questions that dealt with the use of plastic bags and reusable cloth bags; an
additional 9th question was optional, asking for student feedback. The purpose of the
survey was to gauge student interest and awareness of this reusable bag initiative.
Overall, the results were positive. The responses showed that a majority of the
students at KSU would be interested in the implementation of a reusable bag project and
many would like to get involved. The surveys also found most students were not aware of
the sale of reusable bags at Rosie’s market on campus. When asked whether students
would be deterred from using plastic bags if they were charged a nominal fee, survey
results showed students would be limit their plastic bag consumption.
We kept these answers in mind while developing our project. Because we wa-*nt
students to be involved with our project, it was imperative that we take their opinions into
consideration. The survey results are beneficial to our research because they indicate that
there is a strong student interest in our project, and the students will be willing to
participate.
Roldan, Richard. “Re: Reusable Bags at KSU” Message to Alicia Rapini. 9 Apr. 2014. E-
mail.
Richard Roldan is the head of dining services at Kent State University. During the
beginning stages of our project, our group interviewed him about the possibility of making
reusable bags available for sale in markets across Kent State’s campus. Roldan responded

43
very positively to our project proposal and has proven to be very dedicated to keeping
Kent a sustainable campus.
As we start working towards implementation of our project, cooperating with
dining services will be very important to ensure our success. We plan to meet with Roldan
again in the near future and discuss putting some of our plans for reusable bags into
action. Getting reusable bags into the markets around Kent will be a great way to raise
awareness of our cause and encourage other places around campus to make this small step
towards sustainability.
Smith, Tovia. “How Green are Reusable Bags?” National Public Radio. NPR, 2013. Web. 5
Nov. 2013.
Tovia Smith is a distinguished National Public Radio News National Desk
Correspondent. Smith graduated from Tufts University with a degree in International
Relations, and since, has spent her career uncovering and reporting local, national, and
international news sensations. Her work tends to focus on social and political
controversies, and she often times intertwines individuals’ emotionally riveting personal
stories into her work.
In her report “How Green are Reusable Bags,” Smith reveals the controversy
behind eliminating plastic bags to go green. Smith proposes that reusable bags made out
of recycled content are not better for the environment than standard plastic grocery bags.
According to Smith, this is because recycled content bags are less dependable and have to
be transported thousands of miles from factory to consumer. Throughout the report,
Smith shares input from Whole Foods supermarket customers, as well as from Bob
Lilienfield, an editor of the Use Less Stuff report.

44
This article was especially beneficial to our research because it revealed a new
perspective to our project. As with most products, some types of reusable bags do have
some downfalls. By reading this article, however, we gained a greater understanding of
both the positives and negatives associated with using recycled-content reusable bags.
We now know that we need to look to locally-produced canvas bags in order to be the
most sustainable. However, even using recycled-content reusable bags would be better
than continually using traditional plastic grocery bags.
Ban” Ideas Changing the World. National Center for Policy Analysis, 2012. 18 Apr.
2014.
Pamela Villarreal is a writer for the National Center for Policy Analysis. The
National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA) is a nonprofit organization that specializes
in public policy research. Villarreal has done some extensive research for the NCPA on
the economic and environmental impact of plastic bags.
This article focuses on Los Angeles, one of the few cities in the United States that
have enacted the plastic bag ban. Villarreal not only observes the effect that this ban has
had on the economy, but also the detrimental cost that it has on the environment. She
urges her readers to consider the amount of energy that goes into producing each kind of
bag, as well as the pollution that is caused as a result of manufacturing and transporting
the bags. She looks at the negative side of plastic bag bans that are often overlooked by
environmentalists.
This article has been very helpful to our research because it has provided us with
some opposing arguments to our project. We have spent most of this project promoting

45
the sustainability of reusable bags. However, according to this article, they become less
sustainable when you take into account the energy consumption that takes place during
production. Being able to approach ideas from various different points of view is
important when conducting good research.

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