Paper or Plastic: BYOB

Ireland imposed a tax on plastic grocery bags in 2002. San Francisco became the first U.S. City to ban conventional plastic grocery bags in 2007. China banned the distribution of free plastic grocery bags in 2008. And, perhaps the strictest movement toward eliminating our consumption of plastic bags, the Indian province of Himachal Pradesh fines people caught using plastic bags $2,000. It seems the world is making strong strides toward ending the infamous grocery checkout question, “Paper or plastic?”

Plastic bags account for 0.4 percent of landfill space. Less-compact paper bags account for more than double that of plastic bags at 1.0 percent. Source: http://64.114.94.71/

Since the creation and widespread use of plastic grocery bags in 1977, it is now estimated that between 500 billion and one trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide by shoppers each year – according to the Environmental Literacy Council, with 100 billion plastic shopping sacks being consumed in the U.S. Compare that with “just” 10 billion paper bags consumed in the U.S in 1999.  So, what’s so fantastic about plastic? Plastic bags seem to sway the decisions of consumers because of their light weight and durability. Though paper bags can usually hold more groceries, they take up more space and lack the flexibility of plastic bags. But all too often plastic bags go un-recycled, and wind up floating along the highway, stuck in your neighbor’s tree or threatening water-bound wildlife. This would, then, obviously make paper bags the correct choice, right? Not quite.

While both paper and plastic bags offer shoppers convenience at the checkout, both play their fair share in causing significant pollution and eating away at natural resources.

It’s a mixed bag:

·         Paper grocery bags are made of kraft paper – a paper acknowledged for its strength – that requires the felling and processing of about 14 million trees annually, according to My Own Bag’s research. In fact, it takes four times as much energy to manufacture a paper bag as it does to manufacture a plastic bag, according to the Houston Green Scene. From there, turning wood into pulp and washing and bleaching the pulp requires thousands of gallons of clean water during each process –not to mention the use of the toxic chemicals limestone and acid, which contribute to air pollution, such as acid rain, and water pollution. After the paper is made, it takes enormous amounts of energy – electrical, chemical and fossil fuel-based to move the material, turn the paper into a bag and then transport the finished product. When consumers are finished with their paper bags, they can choose to either recycle or throw away the paper sacks. But it takes 91 percent less energy to recycle a pound of plastic than it takes to recycle a pound of paper – according to a report by Use Less Stuff with research taken from Boustead Consulting, and a paper bag takes up more landfill space if the bag is thrown away.

·         Plastic bags, unlike paper bags, are usually made from oil – a non-renewable resource.  And the creation of plastic bags requires 12 million barrels of oil annually, according to MSNBC. As plastic bags are manufactured, they call for a massive energy input through electricity because the oil needs to be heated to 750 degrees Fahrenheit in order to separate the components and mold the polymers. If a consumer chooses to toss the plastic sack after use, it will wind up in a landfill where it can withstand the elements for up to a thousand years. But if the shopper recycles the plastic sack, it will require two-thirds of the energy used in initial plastic manufacturing, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

So, what’s the correct answer to the seemingly age-old question, “Paper or plastic?” Neither. Both bag types consume natural resources and are often not recycled. The best option? Opt for a recycled or natural material reusable bag –or BYOB (bring your own bag). These bags are made from renewable resources and can generally hold up to 40 pounds (18.14 kg) and last for years. These bags also fit easily into glove compartments, drawers and backpacks.

Some totes can be folded small enough to fit in your pocket- all while not burning a hole in it. Savvy shoppers can find earth-friendly bags for less than $1, and there’s a sack for every style. Trendy women can find sleek city sacks in an array of colors and prints. Try the Green Chic Bag Company. Men seeking to go eco-friendly can find ruggedized bags made of tough material – perfect for hauling the day’s load. ACME provides a line of reusable bags through multiple distributors. Try You Should Go Green. You Should Go Green also helps provide the opportunity for the entire family to go green with a selection of products for green-thinking kids. With every style for every shopper, reusable sacks prove that it’s all in the bag.