As we all try to do our part for the environment, often the most visible target of our zeal to go green is the ubiquitous plastic bag.

Some want them banned. Others want them all to be biodegradable.

The masses have embraced the concept of the reusable bag like it was some revolutionary, space-age idea. Stores are practically giving them away for people to use as their own mini-billboards for the businesses in question.

But going green is never that simple.

A recent study commissioned by (surprise, surprise) the plastics industry found that 40 per cent of reusable bags tested had mould in them and some had coliforms and fecal intestinal bacteria.

We’re so used to throwing out bags after one use, we’re forgetting to use basic hygiene to keep our reusable bags clean, of particular importance when used to carry groceries. But what of plastic? If we don’t reuse plastic shopping bags to hold wet garbage or dog waste, does that mean we’re to buy new plastic bags for that purpose? Is that really in the spirit of going green? It’s just one example of the challenges the environmental movement faces.

Most things in our world are incredibly complex. And the ground always seems to be shifting. To change the behaviour of the masses — like cutting back the billions of plastic bags that choke our landfills and oceans — the average person needs to be given a clear path to follow.

The problem, of course, is that there isn’t often a clear path. As shown by the recent shift to embrace nuclear power as “clean energy,” yesterday’s pariah can become today’s saviour.

– Peace Arch News