To alleviate plastic pollution, governments of many countries have successively enacted bans on single-use plastics, including disposable tableware and straws, starting in 2021.

According to data from the United Nations Environment Programme, plastic pollution is recognized as one of the major environmental issues globally, with approximately 300 million tons of plastic waste generated annually, over 8 million tons of which enter the oceans, causing annual losses of up to $8 billion to marine ecosystems.

A supermarket in Vancouver introduced a "shameful" plastic bag to promote environmental awareness. The "East-West" supermarket replaced its plastic bags, which used to be printed with the store's logo, with bags featuring various shameful messages to discourage customers from using them. The aim was to make customers feel embarrassed using them, thereby reducing or avoiding their usage.

Initially, only 1000 "shameful" plastic bags were produced. Due to their limited quantity and novelty, they attracted many customers who specifically came to collect them. David, the supermarket manager, stated that these bags sparked discussions on social media, which helped in promoting environmental awareness. It is hoped that this initiative will spread environmental consciousness.

However, are reusable bags environmentally friendly? What impact do different types of eco-friendly bags have on the environment?

A study conducted by a British environmental agency investigated seven different types of bags: paper bags, cotton bags, biodegradable bags made from starch and polyester, as well as four types of polyethylene bags with different densities (including sturdy reusable bags, standard shopping bags made from high-density polyethylene, and low-density reusable bags).

The results revealed that the environmental impact of so-called eco-friendly bags on the market is much greater than that of ordinary high-density polyethylene plastic bags.

In summary, a cotton reusable bag needs to be used 131 times to offset the environmental impact of one plastic bag. If a disposable plastic bag is ultimately used to contain garbage, then a cotton reusable bag must be used 173 times to match the environmental impact of the plastic bag. However, according to statistics, cotton reusable bags are typically discarded after an average of 51 uses.

These eco-friendly bags, like plastic bags, also contribute to environmental disasters, with some being discarded indiscriminately on roadsides or in trash cans, becoming ubiquitous. Nowadays, these bags are everywhere, and consumers treat them as disposable items, contrary to the designer's intentions.

Researchers suggest that the most environmentally friendly way to deal with plastic bags may not necessarily be to recycle them; instead, you should strive to use them as many times as possible before disposing of them. If you still intend to use cotton reusable bags, try to use them for as many years as possible to realize their sustainable development potential and mitigate their environmental harm.