Bag It (film)

Synopsis

Jeb Berrier is exploring the effects of plastic bags, opting to stop using them as his wife enters pregnancy. After conducting research with the help of an environmental scientist, Berrier analyzes environmental problems such as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Plastic fragments are found to outnumber plankton 60-to-1, and contributes to around 100,000 marine animal deaths, including birds, every year. Calls to the American Chemical Society prove to be fruitless. He later discovers that plastics contain chemicals such as [phthalate]s that can carry adverse effects to newborn babies, including decreased anogenital distance. Berrier reflects on the rising rates of male infertility and other such as diabetes, obesity and attention deficit disorder, linking it to the ever-present problem of plastics. The average consumer household products such as baby shampoos are also found to contain unsafe levels of phthalates. When Jeb's partner, Anne, gives birth, the film gets personal and looks at recently controversial chemicals such as Bisphenol A found in plastics. The film concludes with a review of recycling labels and shows ways that average citizens and consumers can minimize the harmful impact of plastic by reducing its use.

Recycling tags

The film shows that not all plastics that have recycling tags are actually recyclable. Plastics tagged as #3, #6 and #7 have low rates of recycling. Number three, polyvinyl chloride, is shown to be recycled 0% of the time.

Advocacy

The film's director and producer have toured California to raise awareness about a proposed state ban on plastic bags at grocery and convenience stores.

Reception

The film received the Best of Festival Award from the Blue Oceans Film Festival, an Audience Choice Award from the Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival, the Best Documentary Audience Award from the Ashland Independent Film Festival, the Audience Choice Award from Mountainfilm in Telluride, and second place Audience Award at the Wild & Scenic Film Festival.