Paper or Plastic?

   By drodriguez  May 08, 2007
36

It seems the trek to a greener world is more complex than ever. San Francisco’s recently announced that it would institute the first ban on polyethylene shopping bags, quite a feat since the city alone uses 181 million of them a year. Cheap and easy to use, the soon to be scarce carry-all also produces less pollution when manufactured than paper bags. And all long we thought asking for paper was doing the environmentally mature thing. Here's one illustration of the latest debate over paper vs plastic:


According to Institute for Lifecycle Environmental Assessment (ILEA), an environmental advocacy organization, choosing plastic over paper is the preferred choice. According to its website, www.ilea.org, two plastic bags produce 72% fewer pollutants than a single paper bag. Not to mention, according to the Environmental Literacy Council, it would take about seven trucks to transport the same number of paper bags as can be transported by a single truck full of plastic bags.


So here in the United States, a new choice has surfaced: Poly or Bio? Biodegradable plastic bags used to cost more than three times with less ability than the poly bags, but new products are out there to help close the price and functionality gaps. Keith Edwards, a business manager for BASF estimates that biodegradable bags will cost only 3 to 4 cents more than the 1 to 2 cent poly bag.

Regardless of chemical makeup, grocery store giants such as Pathmark and Whole Foods offer rebates for re-using bags (2 cents and 10 cents respectively) and there's a push in general for bringing your own bags (cloth, net, hemp or otherwise). On April 19th, Singapore held its first Bring Your Own Bag Day and managed to save an estimated 100,000 plastic bags.  If you're ready for the full facts about US consumption watch this informative clip: Convenient Truths

So what's the answer? Is San Francisco on the right track with the conversion to Bio bags? It will create a whole new market, that’s for sure. Paper bags? We need sustainable forests. Stick with the cheap and easy poly? or make your own statement with bags of your own?

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tzepp by tzepp | East Greenville, PA
May 10, 2007

I reuse and recycle as much as possible. I also have canvas bags that I take to the market. They even wash!!!

bluevase by bluevase | SAN ANTONIO, TX
May 10, 2007

Very interesting topic. I've seen this argument go back and forth like a tennis match over the years....alas, there seems there are pros and cons to both. Interestingly enough, our local grocery chain (in Texas) doesn't even ask anymore. If you want paper, you have to ask....sometimes with quite insistence. In addition, their standard plastic bags have diminished in strength over the years, and it isn't uncommon for the "handles" to rip and spill the contents of your groceries onto your drive when you are unloading them. :(

I love the idea of cloth bags and have toyed with it over the years, yet never really done anything about it. Viewing this topic and seeing how many of you are doing so much for the environment in your own areas is very encouraging!

Thanks to all! and thanks UGA_Jenny for the link! Have a great one!

cindy by cindy | philadelphia, PA
May 10, 2007

some years ago we bought a sail boat and started buying canvas bags to take down our clothing and food in. There isn't alot of storage or places for hard luggage.We would shop for food on our way to the boat and take the bags into the store with us. it became so easy and so comfotable that once back in the ciyt i just started take the canvas bag with me whenever i went shopping. so much eazier and stronger.

rosemarie2259 by rosemarie2259 | Philadepia, PA
May 09, 2007

I agree on using the cloth totebags also.I go to an Amish market where I live and they ask you plastic or paper but a lot of customers bring their ouw cloth bags.

bopperone by bopperone | allentown, PA
May 09, 2007

I am sick of all those plastic bags. I bought canvas material, took it to a tailor friend of mine and he made me 2 large, 2 medium and 2 small bags. I love them because they are washable.

mafalis by mafalis | manteno, IL
May 09, 2007

I use reusable totes. Have for many years. I encourage all my friends and family to do the same

neslec30 by neslec30 | Millville, NJ
May 09, 2007

Thanks for the web site UGAJENNY.I will start buying totes for now on instead of paper or plastic.I will let my family and friends know too!

lbisue by lbisue | manahawkin, NJ
May 09, 2007

i agree, taking your own cloth bags is the only way to go. really not hard to make them if you sew. and you can make all different sizes. you can also use any paper bags you may have on hand to line the cloth bags so you don't have to throw them out.

deadhead by deadhead | GENOA, IL
May 09, 2007

i agree with bring your own bag. I use a couple of hemp bags. It works out great. durable,and earth friendly. ~peace

PDNJ by PDNJ | Williamstown, NJ
May 09, 2007

I also purchased my own material bags to reuse instead of all the plastic. My opinion is - why can't the stores use paper bags with built in handles on them? I think that would solve the environment problem and be easy to carry.

fisfall by fisfall | Philadelphia, PA
May 09, 2007

I bought 4 Blue insulated grocery bags from a catalog. They have a wide strap so it's easy on the hands. Cold foods stay cold till you get them home. Great for picnics too plenty of room

ckairii by ckairii | denver, CO
May 09, 2007

I use my back pack...and if I think I might purchase more then one bags worth of food I'll bring a few reusable bags I bought from Trader Joes. It's that simple...I no longer have a bunch of plastic and paper bags cluttering up my kitchen and I'm doing some good for the environment.

untold200 by untold200 | Bensalem, PA
May 09, 2007

I know that a time long ago women went out shopping with there baskets. I know we live in a different time today but, that is something we could consider. What did everyone do before all the paper and plastic?

littleronewis by littleronewis | Solon Springs, WI
May 09, 2007

Reuse & Recycle

Lyndalu by Lyndalu | Wilmington, DE
May 09, 2007

I think with the video it looks like merchants should make cloth bags availbl at a price that consumers would be able to purchase more of them economically. That way we won't have to worry about plastic or paper and it would reduce the bags going to landfills all together....