Biodegradable Shopping Bags

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the market opportunities for biodegradable shopping bags in Nova Scotia. It analyses the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) of biodegradable bags, as well as reusable bags and plastic bags, in order to identify the key internal and external factors that need to be taken into consideration when analyzing where the biggest market opportunities lie. The paper includes the complete text of the proposed Bill 390 (which will prohibit the distribution of non-biodegradable plastic bags), as well as presentation slides for the information in the paper.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Definition
Current Market Opportunities in Nova Scotia
Biodegradable Bag Manufacturers in Nova Scotia
SWOT Analysis for Biodegradable Bags
SWOT Analysis for Reusable Bags
SWOT Analysis for Plastic Bags
Laws and International Trends that Could Initiate a Market Shift
What is the State of the Debate in Canada?
Bans and International Trends
Conclusions
Recommendations
Appendices

From the Paper:

"Competition from reusable bags is another very real threat to the market for biodegradable bags since there is a risk that "with the sale of reusable bags, consumers could wean themselves off plastic bags altogether." As was mentioned in the Weaknesses section of this report, reusable bags are environmentally preferable to all disposable bag alternatives, including biodegradable bags; in addition, evidence suggests that reusable bags are actually becoming trendy while plastic bags are becoming unfashionable. A designer cloth bag proudly emblazoned with the words "I'm not a plastic bag" sold out the day it was released at Holt Renfrew stores across Canada and "those lucky enough to snag the $18 bag can now sell it on eBay for more than $150." Therefore, although biodegradable bags are different from conventional plastic bags, their similar appearance may decrease their social acceptability if these trends continue. Furthermore, "major lobby groups [such] as the Canadian Plastics Industry Association, the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors and the Retail Council of Canada promote reduction and recycling over [biodegradable] plastic bags." "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bastioli, Catia (2005). Handbook of Biodegradable Polymers. Shawbury, UK: Rapra Technology
• Bender, Kristin. "Berkeley Considers Banning Plastic Grocery Bags." Oakland Tribune. (April 18, 2007) Retrieved November 2007 from www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/news/print.asp?id=20618
• Boyle, Robert. "Bio Breakdown." Paper, Film & Foil Converter. Cortec Corp. (April 2004) Retrieved November 2007 from http://www.cortecvci.com/whats_new/announcements/BioBreakDown.pdf
• BPI (Biodegradable Products Institute). BPI Assessment of Oxo-biodegradable Films. Retrieved November 2007 from http://www.biobags.co.uk/images/BPI%20Assessment%20of%20Oxos%20v1.pdf
• CBC News. It's Official Manitoba Town Gives Plastic Bags the Boot (April 2007) Retrieved Novemeber 2007 from http://www.cbc.ca/canada/manitoba/story/2007/04/02/manitoba-bags.html?ref=rss

More papers on Biodegradable Shopping Bags:

• Argumentative Essay # 149733 : "Environmental Benefits of Reusable Bags"
• Comparison Essay # 69433 : "Online Shopping vs. Traditional Shopping."
• Term Paper # 129739 : "Internet Shopping"

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