What’s the Big Deal About a Small Plastic Bag?

It seems harmless as it helps carry groceries, and by the time you check out your items are already bagged. But this past August in Wisconsin, heavy rain flooded people’s homes, and I saw firsthand through my family’s waterproofing business how something as small as clogged drains can leave families losing almost everything in their basements. In fact, Milwaukee experienced the largest sewer overflow since the Deep Tunnel was built, with more than five billion gallons spilling over 78 hours. Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel That is when I realized how even tiny plastic bags can become a big problem.




Lessons from Battle of the Bag

After watching Battle of the Bag, one thing that really stood out to me was how plastic bags clog storm drains, which can lead to serious flooding in cities. The video showed examples from places like Mumbai, India, where blocked drains caused streets to flood and killed hundreds of people.

▶️ Watch the documentary here:
Battle of the Bag – YouTube

Seeing this made me realize that clogged drains do more than just create water problems they can also damage property, disrupt traffic, and create health risks because standing water can breed mosquitoes and bacteria.

Thinking geographically, it is interesting to see how the same item a plastic bag can create different local problems depending on the environment. Even small items can have multiple, far-reaching effects.

I also connected this to recent flooding in Wisconsin, including areas like Milwaukee and Washington County, where debris and bags can block drains and worsen flooding. Working in my family’s basement waterproofing business, I have seen firsthand how these blockages can make flooding worse for homeowners.

Community Solutions

The video highlighted how communities are trying to solve this problem in several ways:

  • Family experiment: Early in the video, a family decided to save all their plastic bags for a brief period to see how many they could collect. It was surprising how quickly the bags piled up, showing just how much waste we produce even in a brief time. This simple experiment made neighbors more aware and encouraged people to reuse bags.
  • Plastic bag squad in Mumbai: Some cities, like Mumbai, implemented plastic bag bans and even created a “plastic bag squad” to enforce rules with fines for shops.
  • Grassroots action in London: A town near London organized local campaigns to convince shopkeepers to stop using plastic bags to protect wildlife and reduce waste.
  • U.S. efforts: In the U.S., cities such as San Francisco have passed legislation banning single-use plastic bags and promoting recycling. Local clean-up programs and drop-off bins also help prevent waste from reaching waterways.

This reminded me that even in divided communities, people can come together. The journalist in the video shared her documentary in a conservative town, and businesses of all backgrounds worked together to reduce plastic bag use. Starting small gave people ownership of the solution and created real change.

These examples show how both everyday families and large cities can step up with solutions.

Plastic Bags: Misunderstood?

Some manufacturers claim that plastic bags are “misunderstood” and not really a problem. While it is true that they are convenient and can be recycled, the video shows that in practice, the environmental and health impacts are real and significant.

Plastic waste affects not just people but also ecosystems rivers, farmland, and marine habitats are all harmed when bags accumulate. Turtles and other wildlife can mistake bags for food, and plastics in rivers can contribute to disease and make land unsuitable for farming.

Local and Global Impacts

Plastic bag waste is both a local and global problem:

  • Locally: bans, clean-ups, and personal responsibility reduce immediate damage and raise awareness.
  • Globally: plastic travels through rivers and oceans, harming animals and ecosystems far from where it was first used.

Events like the Milwaukee flooding show that this is not just an issue that is “far away.” It is happening here, too. Connecting local experiences to global problems makes it clear that the choices we make even with something that we may think is as small as a bag add up.

For local communities in Wisconsin, the Department of Natural Resources offers tools and tips for cleaning up storm debris, recycling, and keeping waterways safe. Check it out here: Wisconsin DNR – Storm Debris Cleanup

Slight changes by individuals and communities can add up, but combining these efforts with broader global strategies is key to managing plastic bag waste effectively.

Final Thoughts

What seems harmless is just a bag to carry your groceries can quickly snowball into flooding, health risks, and environmental destruction. From Wisconsin basements to Mumbai’s flooded streets, the lesson is clear: small choices connect to much bigger consequences.

The next time I grab a bag at the store, I know I will be thinking about more than just convenience.

 

 






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