Whether you are a reusable bag owner or not, you have probably wondered if plastic grocery bags are biodegradable. The answer to this question depends on the type of plastic used in the grocery bags and whether it has a stabilizer in it to give it a long useful life.

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Reusable shopping bags carry bacteria

Despite the recent rise in popularity of reusable pla shopping bags, they're not without risks. Bacteria can live on these bags for up to three days and can cause serious health problems.

A recent study by the University of Arizona showed that nearly half of reusable grocery bags contain bacteria, including the coliform bacterium and fecal coliform bacteria. These microbes can be transferred from raw meat and fish.

The best way to clean a reusable bag is to rinse it out with soap and hot water. This should happen at least once a week. Then, you can wash it in a hospital grade disinfectant.

In fact, according to the American Chemistry Council (ACC), washing a reusable bag can reduce bacteria by 99.9 percent. But only 3% of shoppers regularly wash their multi-use bags.

Other studies found that even the cleanest bag is still a breeding ground for bacteria. One of the most popular types of reusable shopping bags is polypropylene. This plastic type is more durable, but it prevents proper sterilization.

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Oxo-biodegradables contain stabilizers to give the bags a "useful service life"

During the last several years, research scientists have been exploring how biodegradable plastics can be used in food packaging. The aim is to make these materials degrade within a reasonable time. But the process raises concerns about microplastics in the oceans, since they break down into microscopic bits. To get a better understanding of this process, a team led by Imogen Napper, a National Geographic Explorer, loaded bags with cans of Coke and bananas. They then placed them in the ocean. During two years, one of the bags remained intact, while another broke down into small pieces.

The researchers discovered that the disintegration process caused the bag to become microplastics. In addition, the chemical additives in the biodegradable bags can contaminate the mixture. To combat this, the plastic manufacturers add stabilizers to the bags. These stabilisers are meant to give the bags a "useful service life" of about 18 months, if not longer.

The polymers in the bags include ethylene/acrylic acid copolymers and ethylene/but-1-ene copolymers. Both of these materials can contain salts. The salts may have an effect on the degradation mechanism.

Paper grocery bags contribute to acid rain

Using paper grocery bags can be an environmental concern. However, depending on how you dispose of them, you can be environmentally friendly. There are many eco-friendly options.

One is to use reusable biodegradable t-shirt bags. These can be made from non-woven polypropylene, which is less carbon intensive to produce. These bags can last thousands of uses. They are also less expensive to make, so they have a lower carbon footprint.

Another is to use cloth bags, which are often made from cotton. These are also environmentally friendly, as cotton is a water-guzzling crop. They can be reused several times, but they aren't as durable as plastic bags.

It's important to remember that plastic bags aren't completely biodegradable. They can contribute to acid rain pollution. In fact, some chemicals used in their manufacture contribute to the formation of this toxic chemical.

Paper bags are better for the environment than other types of packaging, but they are not the only solution.

Whale sharks ingest small bits of plastic

Earlier this month, scientists reported that manta rays and whale sharks may be ingesting small pieces of plastic from the ocean. These tiny bits of plastic are known to contain toxic chemicals.

In addition, the plastics can also accumulate in the bodies of long-lived animals. These pollutants can harm hormones and regular growth. Some of the most vulnerable marine creatures are the filter-feeders. They ingest microplastics directly or indirectly through contaminated plankton.

This is a huge issue for the world's largest ocean creatures. Whale sharks are especially vulnerable. They filter enormous amounts of water every hour. They are often exposed to toxins as a result of habitat loss, climate change, and commercial fishing. They are listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List.

A team of scientists in Indonesia measured the density of plastic in surface waters near the whale shark feeding grounds. They also analyzed feces samples and calculated the number of plastic pieces that manta rays and whales ingest. They found that the whales could ingest up to 137 pieces of plastic per hour.