Regarding Irvin I. Rubin's Feb. 20 letter, the plastic bag is here to stay. It's a matter of product and consumer safety. Paper and cloth bags can never perform the way plastic can.
We at Redi Bag recently launched a campaign directed at supermarkets throughout North America to use our products with EPI Environmental Technologies Inc.'s Totally Degradable Plastics Additive. Not only will they be offering their customers a less-frustrating produce bag, or an easy-to-use meat bag, but bags that benefit the consumer by reducing possible food contamination — bags that benefit the community by disintegrating sooner and taking up less space in municipal landfills.
Bags with TDPA benefit the environment in many ways, most topically by reducing the amount of methane gas produced. The additive does not leave any toxins in the soil. It conserves the environment for future generations.
It only makes sense to advocate the use of bags that will have a reduced impact on the environment, without disrupting consumer's behavioral patterns, while encouraging safe and healthy purchases.
Bags made with oxo-biodegradable plastic additives, the newest technology available, are reasonably priced, comply with their full performance expectations and are environmentally sound. Innovation is the key to success.
P.J. Coffey
Redi Bag USA LLC
New Hyde Park, N.Y.