The executive director of the United Nations Environment Program has called for the ban of plastic bags, part of the UNEP's efforts to stem the growing problem of marine litter.

"Marine litter is symptomatic of a wider malaise: namely the wasteful use and persistent poor management of natural resources. The plastic bags, bottles, and other debris piling up in the oceans and seas could be dramatically reduced by improved waste reduction, waste management and recycling initiatives," said Achim Steiner, United Nations undersecretary general and executive director of the UNEP Executive Director on the occasion of World Oceans Day. "Some of the litter, like thin film single-use plastic bags, which choke marine life, should be banned or phased out rapidly everywhere—there is simply zero justification for manufacturing them anymore, anywhere."

"Recycling is what we see as the best approach for the U.S. Plastic is just too valuable to waste," said Keith Christman, senior director of the plastics division of the American Chemistry Council, in this article in McClatchy Newspapers.

Many reusable shopping bags are a viable alternative to plastic and paper bags, as we found in a recent report. Get the details on which reusable sold bags by national chains and regional stores are the best to use in "By the Numbers: Can America Give Up Its Addiction to Paper and Plastic Shopping Bags?" e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook