Paper Bag, Bayong or Plastic Bag

Plastic bags consumed this year:

Everyday, when we buy bread for breakfast or a kilo of rice for lunch, usually the goods are placed in a plastic bag. There have been a buzz on the ill effects of using plastic bags as they are produced from non-renewable petroleum resources. Yes, plastic bags can be recycled but not as easy as paper. The usual reason of clogged sewerage in the streets in the Philippines is the bundle of plastics which cannot decompose easily.

Several groups propose the use of paper bags as an alternative for plastic bags. Paper bags easily decompose and do not clog the sewerage. However, paper bags come from trees. Therefore, the impact on the production of paper bags on forests is huge.

Another alternative is the use of reusable bags. In the Philippines, the use of bayong has been done since time immemorial. A bayong, is made of coconut or other natural materials. The coconut leaves are being woven to make it as strong container of goods. The coconut leaves are renewable. Usually, the bayong is being used by Filipinos for buying vegetables from the market.

Hopefully, there can be a law in the Philippine against the use of plastic bags and promoting the use of bayong.