The ban of plastic bags by Austin city

Austin should keep the ban on plastic shopping bags in their city. In fact, Texas isn't exactly the role model state when it comes down to an environment-friendly state, and this is because a large portion of their economy runs on oil and natural gases. That said, for them to ban plastic bags which can actually be deadly for sea animals, is a great thing. Actually, 90% of our debris in oceans are actually plastic bags. Besides saving animals' lives, they will be increasing the growth of reusable shopping bags which don't cost that much these days. Also, it's been seen in the past that plastic bags can in fact block drainage systems in the cities. Also, due to the shopping bags being fabricated in plastic material, this material can take up to hundred years to decompose. This means that whenever one is produced, and used on the market, it'll remain on our earth for at least 100 years. Although Austin has taken the right step, the whole state of Texas ought to do the same, and the whole country should as well. In fact, China has already banned plastic shopping bags in their country in 2008, and many countries have started to implement a tax for each plastic shopping bag acquired. Canada is a great example for that. In 2009, it was reported that 102 billion of plastic bags were used in the United States alone, and this should be alarming for every city and state of the country to take action against this unnecessary good. So far, the results have been positive for Austin city; less waste on parking lots, less litter in waterways and generally a more environmental-friendly atmosphere around the city after such decision was taken in 2013.