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…