Paper Bags Aren’t the Solution
Since we’ve been complaining so much about the pollution caused by plastic bags, you may be starting to wonder if paper bags are a better choice. Nope. There are almost as many reasons to avoid paper bags as well.
Plus, trees look beautiful alive, and they help clean our air. Let’s not cut them down to make paper bags.
From ReuseThisBag.com, here are some facts on paper bags:
•Despite their high recyclability factor, research shows that only 20% of paper bags end up recycled while the rest share a fate with their plastic brethrens.
•Paper bags weigh nearly ten times their counterparts in plastic, requiring more fuel to ship them out to stores.
•It requires 13% more energy to produce one single paper bag than to produce two plastic bags.
Read the full list: 25 Reasons to Go Reusable (from ReuseThisBag.com)
In case you aren’t convinced, one more fact about paper bags from Big Green Purse: “Paper sacks generate 70 percent more air and fifty times more water pollutants than plastic bags.”
I’m not saying that plastic bags are a better option. They’re harming marine life and require lots of oil to produce. And they’re a much larger source of litter than paper bags ever were. They fly out of the landfills like crazy ghost birds.
Does your store still offer paper bags?
Image via flickr.
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POSTED IN: Reduce
7 opinions for Paper Bags Aren’t the Solution
Hil
Jun 15, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Crazy ghost birds? That is going to cross my mind every time I see a plastic bag blowing in the wind, Peggy.
Peggy
Jun 15, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Hil,
Ah, I was just testing to see if anyone read to the very end. ; )
Jodi Plume
Jun 16, 2008 at 7:58 am
hehe of course we do Peggy! As for the question if our stores still offer paper.. I *think* they do. But I am not 100% certain. They may have them hidden, but I can’t recall if the baggers ever ask “paper or plastic” anymore either.
Reuse This Bag
Jun 16, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Awesomesauce, thank you for linking! :)
“Crazy ghost birds” = phrase of the day.
Jennifer
Jun 16, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Well this post is very cool and now I have two new sayings - crazy ghost birds and awesomesauce (I’m going to have to use that all the time now.)
I sort of miss paper bags because they’re so nice for recycling ease, but I know it’s not cool to use them. I’m trying to decide on a new recycling center set-up. I need some stay-put containers that aren’t ugly. I have plenty of ideas, but you know how indecisive I am.
Rebecca
Jun 17, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Very informative! I always thought paper was better than plastic, but your post shows that it’s not so simple. Both Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s do not offer plastic bags at all (at least in Portland).
I had a cousin who worked as a cashier, and he was trained to ask “Is plastic all right?” because plastic bags cost stores much less than paper.
At any rate, I will continue to use my reusable bags!
Peggy
Jun 17, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Jodi, I think you’re right. You can get paper bags only on request at most stores.
Rebecca, I’m glad the post helped. I don’t have a Trader Joe’s near me, but it’s good to know they aren’t offering plastic anymore. I’m guessing they have recycled paper bags like Whole Foods.
Jennifer, yeah - I’ve never heard of awesomesauce before! My recycling containers are ugly, but I keep them in closets, so it doesn’t bug me that much.
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