Bermuda could become an environmental leader and protect the Atlantic by banning plastic bags, according to Senator Michael Fahy.He said he attended a lecture over the Easter holiday about a floating mass of trash around twice the size of Texas, found in the Pacific Ocean.A similar build-up of plastic waste has been recorded in the North Atlantic Gyre.Environmentalists believe that the potential impact of the waste is immense.Sen Fahy said: “It occurred to me during the Budget debates that this is one opportunity to take the lead in Bermuda and outright ban plastic bags.“The effect of plastic in the environment is quite unbelievable.”He explained that some areas of India have banned the use of plastic bags, while other jurisdictions such as Ireland have introduced taxes on plastic bags to discourage their use.Sen Fahy also noted that some local retailers have had some success in promoting reusable bags, an effort which he encouraged.Government announced in the 2010 Throne Speech that it would consider legislation that would ban balloons and plastic bags as a means of protecting the environment. Such legislation has yet to be tabled.