Thinking Geographically About Plastic Bag Waste
1) Local Effect That Stood Out One thing I didn’t really consider before watching the video was how plastic bags clog up storm drains in cities like San Francisco. It was surprising to learn that something as small as a plastic bag can actually contribute to flooding. We always talk about plastic pollution in the oceans or harming wildlife, but this made it clear how urban infrastructure can also be impacted. It made the issue feel way more local and real because it’s the kind of thing that can mess with your own neighborhood. 2) A Promising Local Solution The bag ban in San Jose was one of the most effective solutions shown in the video. What made it interesting is that they didn’t just ban plastic bags, they also charged a fee for paper ones. That pushed people to bring reusable bags, which made a big difference. Litter from plastic bags dropped by a lot. I liked how it encouraged people to make small changes in daily behavior that added up. It also showed how local policies can have...