One of my dilemmas of being a green is the usage of plastic bag. Yes, things as small as plastic bag do bother me.
I am a green and therefore, whenever I shop, I will ask for paper bag. The reason is simple; I do not want to encourage the petroleum-based industry too much at the expense of the Earth. Paper bag on the other hand is a recycled product and plus, it is biodegradable; clearly better alternative from my point of view.
Only when it is very inconvenient for me will I accept plastic bag. Even then, I will feel a hint of guilt.
Now, the dilemma – if I do not accept plastic bag and go for paper bag instead, other people will use the plastic product nonetheless. If I use the plastic bag, I can rest assure that I will properly dispose it or even use it as a durable product. If somebody else goes for plastic bag, I do not have the assurance that that somebody would do what I will do. And thus, in comes asymmetric information – the lack of information for one to make an informed decision.
With this realization, my policy of using paper bag is being challenged. The question now, should I use plastic bag so that I could be sure that it will be properly treated or should I not?
Further problem is this – if I go for plastic bag due to the reason stated earlier, and if every green thinks like me, that would signal the firms that nobody would want to use paper bag. Firms will then reduce the number of paper bags or maybe even downright stop supplying it for the consumers. At the same thing, the increase usage plastic bag signals the firms to get more of it for the consumers. Thus, more plastic bag with less of its paper counterpart.
Hamlet would say, to be or not to be, that is the question. I would say, to use or not to use.
Of course, I could easily take both types at the same time; that would certainly solve the dilemma. However, another problem arises – over-consumption.
OMG, I have never thought being a green and taking up economics as a major is tough.
But the only real solution is to get one’s hand on the information on how plastic bag is being used and disposed by the consumers.
Somebody should do a survey.
I guess everybody has heard the news. The Portuguese deserves it.