Paper Bags vs Plastic Bags
My post about the environmental impact of plastic bags attracted a fair comment about the impact of paper bags on the environment. It seems that many people are using paper bags in the belief that they are better for the natural environment than plastic bags.
Unfortunately, that’s not necessarily true - paper bags are just as bad as plastic bags when it comes to the environment. In fact, some say paper bags are worse than plastic bags.
Some Facts and Figures
Here are some facts and figures according to reusable bags, regarding paper bags vs plastic bags:
- In 1999, 14 million trees were cut to produce the 10 billion paper grocery bags used by Americans that year alone
- Paper bags generate 70% more air and 50 times more water pollutants than plastic bags
- Paper bags use 4 times as much energy to construct compared to a plastic bag
- Paper bags use 84 times as much energy to recycle compared to a plastic bag
- Some studies have shown that paper bags generally don’t decompose any faster in landfills than plastic bags. This is apparently due to the lack of water, light and oxygen etc, in landfills.
- Paper bags use more space in landfills than plastic bags
So, according to these figures paper bags are much worse than plastic bags right? Sure does sound like it.
But then, you also need to take into account things such as size differences and usage patterns between the two bags. For example, paper grocery bags are usually larger than their plastic counter parts, so you need less of them. Also, there are different recycling rates between the two, which will affect the actual damage to the environment.
In 1990, Franklin and Associates completed a life-cycle energy analysis to consider all this and still concluded that the plastic bag was the better bag.
OK, so even though the plastic bag was the better bag, we all know how bad the plastic bag really is on the natural environment!
A Much Better Bag
So, the best thing to do is to avoid paper and plastic bags altogether. Instead, opt for a reusable bag made from a natural fiber.
Ideally, your reusable bag would be large enough to fit 5 times the groceries that a plastic bag would. Also, it would be so durable, that you can continue to reuse it for 2 - 3 years without needing to replace it.
Think of how many plastic or paper bags you’d be saving by doing that!
Tags: environmental damage, landfill, paper bags, plastic bags
January 13th, 2008 at 12:32 am
[...] Environment Blog Blogging for the Natural Environment « Paper Bags vs Plastic Bags Eco Friendly Grocery Bags [...]
January 31st, 2008 at 10:08 am
[...] A group called “Coalition to Support Plastic Bag Recycling” is taking Oakland City Council to court because it’s actually trying to do the right thing and ban plastic bags. According to the “coalition”, once the ban is in place, people will turn to paper bags - which are often said to be just as bad or worse than plastic bags. [...]
March 22nd, 2008 at 1:49 am
[...] couple of months ago I wrote an article on paper bags vs plastic bags. The general conclusion was that both were almost as bad as each other. Plastic did edge out paper [...]
April 27th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Eric…
Thanks, this is good stuff. You are spot on….
June 2nd, 2008 at 5:48 am
It seems you all may be unfamiliar with alternate options besides paper or plastic… I spent some time recently in New Jersey for a few months and while I was down there I heard of a new business called GoRiseUp.com that sells a vast amount of Recyclable and/or biodegrable shopping bags which is great I also heard they were creating ties to Trex Composite decking as well and will provide services sometime in the future which will collect peoples old plastic bags and recycle them into high quality Composite decks personally I am exteremely exictied about where this company is going and what they bring to the table for future generations… I bought my bags from them I suggest you all do the same they are great, very affordable…
January 21st, 2009 at 11:39 am
Hi. My mame is Tiffany in Los Angeles and I am here to spread the word about how bad any disposeable bags are. I work at Trader Joe’s and we try so very hard to encourage people to buy reuseable bags. Well I am happy to say that more and more people are refuseing paper and plastic bags. But its not enough. I am starting my own company. I make reuseable canvase shopping bags. I got the idea this Christmas because I was so broke I could not buy gifts so I wanted to make something instead. It saved me money and I gave a meaningful gift made with love. The bags came out so good that people started asking me if I sell them. and I thought why not. Now I find myself telling everyone about how bad paper and plastic bags are. I am starting my own movement one plastic bag at a time. Word of mouth is the best advertisment so spread the word. No more bags Just say no
January 31st, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Nick, I understand why you may think that is a good thing, but it is actually only delaying the problem, because at some point that deck made from recycled PLASTIC will also need to be recycled, which of course you would not be able to do since it is made of PLASTIC and then the only other alternative is to dump it creating more of a PLASTIC problem!
June 11th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
[...] These eco friendly bags have varying levels of “eco friendliness”, but are typically regarded as being much better than their traditional plastic bag alternative (with the possible exception of paper bags). Despite paper bags having a more eco friendly image, studies show paper bags are less eco friendly than plastic bags. [...]
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September 16th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Your comments are skirting some important issues. Paper decomposes and is completely recyclable. Also you forget that much of the paper used in US is now made of reclaimed recycled fiber.
I don’t disagree with using reusable grocery bags. We use them and love them. When we remember to take them into the store. Everyone should find ways to conserve, I just think paper bashing doesn’t stand up to the truth.
You may want to see my blog posts on pixels vs. paper http://www.billprintbroker.com
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:21 pm
This is somewhat impotant, I think this article should answer ore of the question is asking rather than somewhat random!! But overall, good effort I appreciate your hard work and effort put into this and I hope you continue to put more articles about the enviorment! Thank You and hope to read some more again! Thank YOu once again!
March 2nd, 2010 at 10:04 pm
Hi yal,
Does the author of this website know where all of these facts came from?
thanks…
April 24th, 2010 at 4:32 pm
OK, plastic bags at the check out counter are one thing, but look at all the other plastic used in packaging…especially food! Why are things like fresh cucumbers, chicken, and lettuce wrapped in plastic? Isn’t there a better alternative?
April 26th, 2010 at 7:34 pm
I strongly suggest you run your figures past the report itself. I think they’re way off:
http://web.mit.edu/mgreytak/MacData/afs.course/3/3.a30/www/refs/Institute%20for%20Lifecycle%20Environmental%20Assessment.pdf
April 26th, 2010 at 9:46 pm
The figures are based on the Reusablebags website. I mentioned this report with reference to its conclusion (that plastic bags are the better bag) - not the figures.
Having said that, it is interesting to see the figures in that report.
May 13th, 2010 at 6:52 pm
Very cool site! I hope you don’t mind that I referenced this on my blog but I gave you a link too. Thanks and look forward to more good material.
May 24th, 2010 at 6:21 pm
Thanks for this excellent blog.
July 31st, 2010 at 3:00 am
Your blog is so nice .Plastic bag is better than paper bag.
August 25th, 2010 at 2:32 am
Biodegradable plastic and packaging is a modern necessity for our ever-endangered environment.
Now PLA has been used to line the indoors of Paper Cups in place of the oil based lining additional usually used, create Plastic Cups, Plates, Carrier Bags, Food Packaging and even Nappies.
Eco Pure is our proprietary blend of organic materials that does not modify the base resin to which it is added.
Thanks a lot for your information
September 23rd, 2010 at 8:14 pm
The worst out of the lot is the reuseable shopping bags that stores now sell you (unless they are selling the completely natural fibre bags). Most reusuable bags sold in stores are made from polypropylene (but sold in the lovely green colour so you can feel like an eco warrior).
Some polypropylene bags are not ‘made to last’ and will end up in landfill … trouble is they are non-biodegradable!
The bigger problem is that the poorer quality bags can’t be reused as many times as polyethylene plastic bags. Commissioned by the federal Department of Environment and Heritage, RMIT University’s Centre of Design conducted research on the lifecycles and the environmental impact of plastic, paper and cloth bags between 2002 and 2003.
The study was based on a household’s shopping of 70 items per week for one year. The researchers found that one green bag, if used for two years, would offset the use of 114 plastic bags. They also found that the production of one polypropylene bag produces 373g of greenhouse gases compared with 16g for one plastic bag.
Furthermore, when unusable polypropylene bags are dumped into general household waste bins, they meet the same end as their polyethylene cousins. “How environmentally friendly a polypropylene bag is depends on its lifecycle, or how long it can be reused,” says Dr Katherine Dean, research scientist at CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering. “When buried in landfill, polypropylene, like polyethylene, takes hundreds of years to break down.”
To be exact, polypropylene takes 800 years longer than polyethylene.
I’d also recommend having a read of this
http://www.kashum.com/blog/1158880223
October 28th, 2010 at 2:18 am
What people should know is that helping out does not have to be elaborate, we can contribute to waste reduction in simple and practical ways. We all should make an effort in minimizing our wastes at home and even in the office. We just need to gradually integrate practicality in everything that we consume or utilize. Aside from recycling, we can also have our papers and other documents shredded before disposing them. We as individuals can make our own efforts to conserve our utilization of plastic and paper - we just need reinforcement and proper education on recycling.
November 20th, 2010 at 6:52 am
I really need to question the issue of paper bags being worse than plastic. It seems to me it is not looking at that whole picture…..Notwithstanding its embodied energy etc etc, paper is compostable. Unless its compostable, plastic does not break down. Biodegradable just means the bits are smaller….If I HAD to choose I would rather see plastic bags banned first. I think it send the wrong message to let people think its better to use a plastic bag over a paper bag…..
December 25th, 2010 at 12:40 am
great blog! i learn few things in this post, thanks for the share.
February 5th, 2011 at 3:37 am
Although there are lots of benefits from using plastic bags, its effect will always be of great damage not only to us, but to the environment as well.
February 9th, 2011 at 3:42 am
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February 17th, 2011 at 1:23 pm
I agree with everything Cathode said above and I have the distinction in saying that I sell those because that is what the market demands. I am an owner at http://www.BagsOnTheNet.com and I personally like paper. The forestry industry is improved tremendously and they plant as much as they can. You can also use paper bags made out of recycled paper. With the higher end shopping bags, you know you’ve all done this, they get used many times, especially if the artwork on the bag is eye-catching. Talk about a moving billboard.
Good blog.
February 19th, 2011 at 3:47 am
Nice blog ! I like your article and i will really read it again..It will be beneficial Specially for young graduates as well as for freshers.
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March 18th, 2011 at 8:50 am
Yeah great article, I am looking for the replica bags but I found difference in plastic bags and paper bags. I am in favor of paper bags but there are more demerits available in it. I just want some more information on the qualities of bags.
May 14th, 2011 at 2:00 pm
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June 3rd, 2011 at 8:20 am
good OK, plastic bags at the check out counter are one thing, but look at all the other plastic used in packaging…especially food! Why are things like fresh cucumbers, chicken, and lettuce wrapped in plastic? Isn’t there a better alternative?
June 7th, 2011 at 8:25 pm
Furthermore, when unusable polypropylene bags are dumped into general household waste bins, they meet the same end as their polyethylene cousins. “How environmentally friendly a polypropylene bag is depends on its lifecycle, or how long it can be reused,” says Dr Katherine Dean, research scientist at CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering. “When buried in landfill, polypropylene, like polyethylene, takes hundreds of years to break down.”
September 26th, 2011 at 12:15 am
Nice blog ! I like your article and i will really read it again. It will be beneficial Specially for young graduates as well as for fresher. I am in favor of paper bags but there are more demerits available in it. I just want some more information on the qualities of bags. Many paper bags are often not very reusable, so even when they are compostable or biodegradable, they are considered single use. Also keep in mind that compost able bags are really only viable for the handful of cities that have municipal composting plants.. The author makes good points but this argument is often over-simplified.
November 26th, 2011 at 1:44 am
Paper bags are far more better option then plastic bags. I have learn some very important facts from your posting.
February 12th, 2012 at 5:00 pm
Very nice post! I’m regularly browsing for good articles on composting and recycling. Thank you!.
June 9th, 2012 at 12:34 am
Really good blogs are not “running the streets”, but here I found today what I have been looking for. Cheers!
July 31st, 2012 at 9:55 pm
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September 11th, 2012 at 12:52 am
Great information is described here. Everyone should know about the facts of these bags(plastic bags and paper bags). I was in a thought before reading this article that plastic bags are more harmful for the environment but now i got the information of harmful facts about paper bags. At last you wrote true in this article that both are harmful, if they cannot be recycled and recycled bags should be use because they are environment friendly. We are also agree with these recycled bags and that’s why we deal with high quality designed paper bag making machines, we are the manufacturer and supplier of paper bag making machines, which makes quality and recycle paper bags which is nature friendly.