‘Clean’ plastic bags?

Sir,

I have just read the article in support of plastic bags where the Association of Plastic Manufacturers representative stated “Plastic bags are made up of polymers which contain carbon and hydrogen which give off carbon dioxide and water when they burn, which aren’t toxic.”

What planet is this guy on?

I invite anybody to try a simple experiment. Stand next to an open fire – a barbecue will do – and first throw on a paper bag. As it burns, sniff the air. When it is finished look at the residue.

Now try the same with a plastic bag. Sniff the smoke. Then, if you’re still able, look at the residue.

And tell me which is cleaner, before you attempt to scrape all of that horrible mess off the fire. It ain’t carbon dioxide or water, that’s for sure!

Bert Nicholson
Waterlooville, UK

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.