More than a billion plastic bags per year are given out for free in the US alone. Just to manufacture one of these bags causes the destruction of resources, fragile habitats, ecosystems and millions of tons of green house gasses.

Only one to three percent of all plastic bags collected are recycled. Many are sent to Third World countries where they’re incinerated and cause air pollution.

Eight billion pounds of plastic bags enter the US waste stream each year diminishing landfill space. In a landfill it can take up to 1,000 years for a single bag to biodegrade, according to reusablebags.com.

The H-Power process Honolulu uses to turn solid wastes into reusable electricity leads some to believe we’re taking the necessary steps in recycling wastes.

“Plastic bags are such a small portion of the waste stream,” said Wilma Namumnart the Acting Assistant Refuse Division Chief. “I don’t see it as a problem.”

However, plastic bags are not just found in our waste streams, but also flying around our streets and floating in our oceans. As litter, a bag breaks down into tiny toxic particles and contaminates the soil and water, and poses a threat to marine life. Each year hundreds and thousands of sea mammals die from consuming plastic bags.

There are countries and cities that have taken notice to the many threats that plastic bags impose upon the environment.

In March 2002, The Republic of Ireland was the first country to implement a plastic bag tax or “Plus Tax.” The tax, aimed at changing consumer behavior, meant grocery and retail stores would have to charge consumers 15 Euro-cents per bag checked out. The 3.5 million Euros raised went toward a “green fund” to benefit the environment.

Taiwan and communities within Alaska have since banned the free distribution of plastic bags. Others considering implementing a similar tax include the UK, Australia and New York City.

Some KCC students say Hawai‘i would benefit from such a tax.

“It’s a good thing because people don’t like to pay money,” said Jessica Cruciana, a student at KCC. “They take advantage of the free bags.”

Although Hawai‘i is not discussing the possibility of such a tax existing here, there are ways consumers can help to minimize plastic bag consumption.

If consumers keep accepting numerous amounts of plastic bags, companies will continue to produce them.

“It would be great if consumers could take the initiative themselves and choose alternatives like reusable bags,” said Planet Arks Founder, Jon Dee.

Most supermarkets credit customers for bringing in their own bags for their purchases. Star Market, Times, Safeway, and Foodland take two to five cents off a customers total bill for each bag brought and used.

Two shoppers, Gwen Fukumura and Kelly Cosseboom said they were unaware of this offer and now plan on bringing their own bags for their grocery purchases.

However, many consumers are still unwilling to bring in their own bags.

“I reuse the bags to line my trash can,” said Anna Fogel, a KCC student. Fogel uses three to four plastic grocery bags a week for her trash disposal, but collects more than this number with other purchases.