“Environment California is very disappointed in NBC for promoting plastic Ziploc bags as environmentally friendly during the networks high profile ‘Green Week.’ The endorsement took place during Wednesday’s episode of The Biggest Loser, in which using a new type of Ziploc bags was touted as environmentally friendly.
If NBC is going to commit to having a week dedicated to good environment choices, they need to actually follow through with that commitment. They need to be setting the bar quite a lot higher.
Plastic is one of the most commonly found and harmful types of ocean pollution. It never fully biodegrades and continues to release toxic chemicals in the water. Once in the ocean, marine animals can be harmed through suffocation, entanglement, and consumption. Over one million birds and 100,000 mammals die every year from plastic pollution. Cities spend millions of dollars a year cleaning up plastic trash on their beaches and in their storm drains.
Ziploc evolve bags are manufactured using approximately 50% wind power and are made with 25% less plastic compared to standard Ziploc bags, which are still sold. These are modest steps – we need bags that are made from 0% plastic and are compostable. Additionally, if Ziploc wants to be seen as ‘green,’ they should switch all their bags to at least 25% less plastic and 50% wind power, not just one variety.
It is ironic that a mere 30 minutes before NBC highlighted Ziploc bags, they highlighted re-usable water bottles as being a good alternative to plastic bottles, which wind up in the ocean and harm animals. Whether in bottle form or bag form, plastic is plastic. It’s unfortunate that NBC chose to promote this false distinction.”
