February Lunch & Learn Recap: Demystifying Plastic Bags

In February, Keilin Huang,  Zero Waste Systems Manager at Home ReSource, shared all about plastic bags – what they are actually made of, what do we do when we are done with them, and what is up with plastic bags in Missoula and in Montana. Here are the highlights: 

• Plastic bags fit into one of three categories: compostable, biodegradable, or recyclable. 
  • Compostable means that these bags will break down completely without microplastics or other residues. Most bags will note if they can be backyard composted, or if they need to be composted at a facility like Garden City Compost.
  • Biodegradable Bags take longer to break down, and many contain petroleum products that break down into microplastics, creating pollutants. From our research, it is unclear if there is any real benefit of biodegradable bags because they take so long to break down, and when they do, most do not do so without residue or other pollutants.  This is an example of “Green Washing”, where products are designed to look like they are more environmentally friendly than they actually are.
  • Recyclable means that – technically – the bag can be recycled. However, how and if the bag is actually recycled is quite complex. Eliminating single-use plastics, including plastic bags, is one of the most significant ways to reduce waste and plastic pollution.

 

• Montana state law does not currently allow local governments to limit or ban the distribution of single use plastics, such as plastic bags or serviceware.  There has been a significant effort in communities, including Bozeman and Missoula, to challenge this “ban on bans” by exercising the constitutional right to place issues on local ballots using citizens’ initiatives.  In fact, in November 2024, Bozeman was successful in passing a citizens’ initiative to ban plastic bags, which carried over 60% of the vote in that community.  Unfortunately, another ruling has made it unlawful for the local government to enforce the ban.  Currently, a group of citizens alongside The Cottonwood Environmental Law Center are challenging this in court under using our right to a clean and healthful environment as determined by the Montana State Constitution. 

 

• Curious how plastic bag bans work?  Follow this link  Plastic Bag Bans Work from Environment Florida and use the Single-use Plastic Bag Ban Waste Reduction Calculator to see what a plastic bag ban could do for our community.

 

• We had a great discussion about individuals making a difference by example, the entire cost of making plastic bags, and what alternatives could be. 

 

• Guest participation makes our Lunch & Learn events even more rich with ideas and local resources!  One community member highlighted an opportunity to make your own reusable bags. Missoula Public Library’s MakerSpace has free Boomerang Bag Take–and Make-Kits available to the public. The kit comes with materials and a pattern, and can be hand sewn or you can use a sewing machine.  

 

• Other ideas were shared on even more unconventional materials. You can even make your own reusable bag from other bags – check out this cat litter bag turned into a great grocery tote!

Thank you to everyone who attended this Lunch and Learn and brought their experiences and expertise to share with others. We are looking forward to seeing you at the next Lunch and Learn on March 19th – Recycling is Almost Last, exploring the waste reduction hierarchy.