Banning single-use plastic products: IELTS Writing Task 2 sample answer

Plastic bags, bottles, straws and food containers are often used for only a few minutes before being thrown away. It has been suggested that governments should ban these single-use items outright, even if consumers end up paying more for everyday products. I strongly agree with this proposal, although I believe a ban should be introduced in stages.

The environmental case for a ban is overwhelming. Because most plastic does not break down naturally, discarded items either fill landfill sites or end up in rivers and oceans, where they cause serious pollution and harm marine life. Birds and turtles regularly die after swallowing plastic fragments, and tiny particles have now been found in drinking water and seafood. Recycling has not solved the problem, since in many countries only a small fraction of plastic waste is actually recycled.

Critics argue that a ban would raise costs for both businesses and households, as paper, glass and other alternatives are usually more expensive to produce. This is a fair concern, particularly for low-income families. However, the hidden costs of plastic are already enormous. Bangladesh, for example, banned thin polythene bags in 2002 partly because they were blocking drains and worsening floods. Cleaning beaches, clearing drains and treating the health effects of pollution are expenses that society pays in any case.

To minimise hardship, a ban should be phased in over several years, giving manufacturers time to develop cheaper reusable and biodegradable products. Governments could also support the change with subsidies and public campaigns encouraging people to carry their own bags and bottles.

In conclusion, I am convinced that banning single-use plastics is necessary despite the short-term rise in prices. The damage they cause to the natural world is long-lasting, and a carefully managed transition would keep the burden on consumers to a minimum.