GREEN & SUSTAINABLE
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GREEN & SUSTAINABLE
Paper or Plastic Bags?
The best answer may surprise you.
It’s a seemingly simple, but increasingly complex question we all face at the grocery checkout—paper or plastic bags? These options are complicated, but the best answer is neither: instead, bring your own reusable canvas bag.
Retailers and even countries are jumping on the plastic-ban bandwagon. Whole Foods recently announced that by April 22, 2008—Earth Day—it would stop distributing plastic bags in all its 270 stores in the United States, Canada and the UK. This food market isn’t alone in its efforts to ban plastic bags: San Francisco did it last spring and China recently announced that it would outlaw plastic bags by June.
But how much of an impact will phasing out plastics bags really make?
A Few Facts:
- Each year, an estimated 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide.
- It could take up to 1,000 years for a high-density polyethylene plastic bag to break down in the environment.
- It takes 91 percent less energy to recycle a pound of plastic than it takes to recycle a pound of paper.
- Producing paper bags uses more energy and water and generates more air pollution and solid waste than producing plastic bags. Paper bags also take up more space in a landfill.
- Recycling rates of either type of disposable bag are extremely low— only 10 to 15 percent of paper bags and 1 to 3 percent of plastic bags are recycled.
Sources: Reuseablebags.com, NRDC and Worldwatch Institute
Read on to learn about a pioneer in the movement to ban plastic bags and be inspired. Plus, share your opinions about paper, plastic and reusable bags below.
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| USER COMMENTS — Add Your Comment |
I always bring canvas bags with me when I go shopping. Our grocery store gives a 5 cent credit for every bag you bring. It's not much, but it's a nice incentive. I also like that you can carry heavier things like milk & wine without worrying that the bag will break or the handles will rip off.
Ann, Burlington, VT |
I have used canvas bags for several years. If there is an overflow I ask for paper, a renewable resource.
George, Tampa, FL |
Recycling of the plastic bags has been very difficult, since none of the grocery stores in this area collect used bags for recycling. I have found the reusable canvas bags much more convenient for carrying groceries into the house. They have nice handles (plastic bag handles cut into the hands when carrying heavy items) and can hold more. After a short breaking in period (remembering to take the canvas bags to the store) it is all good. You can even get insulated bags that protect frozen/cold food.
Franklin Campbell, Mason, MI |
We've been using canvas bags for years as well. So much that we've worn out the original bags and gotten a second set. It's farly easy to keep one tucked in the car so even if you stop on short notice you have one with you.
Sharon, Cincinnati, OH |
I would like to see a good heavy weight mesh bag available for everyone to use. Think a lot of people have their heads buried in the sand and don't understand how wasteful americans are. Dr. office give full sheets of paper for an appt shedule or schools (yes schools) send home flyers every day with info the kids should be made to write down and bring home is sent on large letterheads or full sheets of paper sometimes only being one paragraph long. Shameful!!!! Schools seem to avoid the environmental issues completely.
Lois, Bull Shoals, AR |
I crochet my own grocery bags. Sturdy and useable for other things besides groceries.
Gloria, Norco, CA |
I also use canvas bags. I picked them up in Boston about a year ago for a dollar a bag. Now our store here sells similar bags. I'm glad to see the idea catching on.
Jennie, Nokomis, FL |
While I have and use canvas bags, I have been using plastic bags and plastic yarn to create new shopping bags which wash well and hold a lot. There are a number of patterns available for these bags and with some creativity you can make them nice looking.
Connie Davey, Milwaukee, WI |
Why, canvas, of course! Bought a dozen of them years ago. They wash well and are very sturdy. Also gave many of them for gifts. In Europe, customers have to provide their own bags for merchandise.
Ella, Sunbury, PA |
Perhaps along with doing away with plastic bags, we should stop using disposable diapers too and go back to cloth.
Linda, Spokane, WA |
Luckily, our stores collect the plastic bags but I've started using the canvas just because it is better. I just have to remember to put the canvas bags back in the car!
Besides the plastic, I recycle any paper here at work. My co-workers laugh at me but I'm trying to save the earth one little scrap at a time.
Linda, San Antonio, TX |
Hooray! Whole Foods! I hope more merchants join the movement. We use canvas bags when we remember to take them into the store. Otherwise we just hand carry the items out showing the receipt.
Allison, Wasilla, AK |
NZ supermarkets are joining the move to reduce plastic shopping bags, selling reusable bags instead. However, these cannot be used for all the many things which we use our plastic shopping bags for. Our local health shop uses plastic bags which will biodegrade within 18 months - why can't the supermarkets use these? As it is, my husband & I have a battle each week at the checkout - he invariably forgets to bring the reusable bags with him & has to race back to the car, whereas I would like the plastic bags as I use them in so many ways - what is the point of having to buy 'specialized' plastic bags when I would normally be 'recycling' the handout ones? I think the biodegradable bags would be a good compromise...
DR, New Zealand, NZ |
Canvas.
Ruth, Redondo Beach, CA |
I like using the Chico Bags. They fold into a little pocket and clip to my purse. That way it's always with me.
Storm, Iowa City, Io |
I like using canvas, but for messy, drippy things, as meats and veggies that have been misted, I like the recycled plastic bags you can buy for a dollar in many grocery stores. Like others have said, the problem is having them with you when you need them. I stuff mine all in one canvas bag and keep them on the back seat of my car.
Carole, Schenectady, NY |
I try to use my canvas bags but when I have to use plastic, I reuse for used kitty litter or spoiled food going into the trash. Paper bags are accepted in recycle bins; plastic bags are not. Irony-our town makes us use heavy plastic bags for garbage service. But I also live near a supermarket who gives me a nickel credit if I use my own plastic bags.
Shirley Jackson, Exeter, NH |
I not only recycle both paper and platic bags but recycle the plastic wrappers from bottle case etc.
Chuck, Newark, IL |
Trader Joe's recycles paper bags. I haven't seen any mention of this in the comments. As noted, the trick is to remember to bring them - they do take up more room. I re-use my plastic bags for trash.
Gloria, Bakersfield, CA |
I love my reusable bags. I used to live in CT, and there was nothing more amusing then how lazy some people were- they would say who cares about the environment, its inconvenient for me to bring my own bags. Oh no! If you can remember your cell phone and your Blackberry, you should be able to grab bags too :)
Jen, Glenwood Springs, CO |
I have found that a good way to have the canvas bags always available in my car, is to "stash" them underneath my dog's metal car-crate. It softens the ride for him and since I never go anywhere without my dog, now that I am retired, he is safe in his crate and I am sure to have canvas bags always available... works for me!
Mary Jane, Farmington, CT |
How long does it take for plastic on baby diapers to break down in landfill & parking lots? Personally I'd rather see cigarette butts lying around plus you don't see flies on the cig. butts. Yes go back to cloth diapers.
Ann, Riverside, CA |
We should ask the drug store if we could refill the plastic bottles from med. of the same kind. Each month I put 10 bottles of plastic into my recycle bin. I would love to reuse them.
Velinda, Glenview, IL |
I'd like some help. I would love to use canvas bags as the only option available here is plastic BUT, what would I put in the wastebaskets around the house? Right now I keep on using the plastic bags I get at the grocery store for the wastebaskets because I I didn't, I'd have to BUY plastic bags for them. Any suggestions? Thank you.
Diane, San Juan, PR |
I find carrying canvas bags a bit of inconvience. However recently about 6 months ago I got on the band wagon and started to recycle because the town decided to give homeowners the options by droppping off a recycle can. So recycling everything, Aluminum, plastic, and paper has beome easy as just putting it in the container ext to the other one. As far as stores, I still use plastic bags, however I recycle them as garbage bags in my house and drop the excess off at Walmart in thier plastic recycle bag bin. I even started to carry the glass items to the recycle center in the Walmart parking lot. At work, I carry out all recyclables and drop them off at home. Its not much work, but I will say my garbage footprint droped amazingly. I know only fill a 13 gallon trash bag a week between me and my girlfriend. So I encourage all to do the little they can. Its not much effort and it does not have to "alter" you lifestyle.
Bob, Albuquerque, NM |
I use the paper bags from grocery store for my daily garbage. It's better I understand than using a plastic bag for garbage - YES? I believe that since the trend of canvas bags more people are probably NOW buying more plastic daily "garbage use" bags which is just as bad. I think the solution is to use paper/plastic free indoor garbage containers and upon being emptied - they are rinsed with an enviro friendly soap. A little more work but then we really resolve the plastic crisis!
Devon, Lafayette, CA |
I use my plastic bags as trash liners. If they are banned I would have to buy trash liners. Seems very counter-productive to me!
Bob, Los Gatos, CA |
I'd like some help. I would love to use canvas bags as the only option available here is plastic BUT, what would I put in the wastebaskets around the house? Right now I keep on using the plastic bags I get at the grocery store for the wastebaskets because I I didn't, I'd have to BUY plastic bags for them. Any suggestions? Thank you.
Diane, San Juan, PR |
I think it's interesting someone said something about diapers because I also read somewhere that using cloth diapers decreases the amount of time it takes to potty-train.
Kyle, Champaign, IL |
About what to put into waste cans if you don't use plastic grocery bags - if they are ones used in the bathrooms, I don't put anything in them except a tissue in the bottom. If in the kitchen, I make sure messy stuff is carefully put in the can and a paper towel is in the bottom. Wash the can often. You can also use a paper bag in the kitchen can.
Bonnie, Tucson, AZ |
I always try to use my reusable bags. What do you do about high schools kids who refuse to take a lunch box? Not to mention my work(a local hospital) uses all styrofoam and plastic utensils, even for people eating in the cafeteria! and no recycling at all!! people even throw away the returnable cans ugg!
Shelly, Fraser, MI |
Trader Joe's does offer a lot of reusable bags (and one is even made from recycled plastic bottles). Sadly, though the plastic grocery bags are recyclable, most recycling places do not take them. I wish that they would either outlaw all the wasteful bags, or better yet, make the stores charge for the 'handout' bags. That would get people to reuse their bags fast.
Anonymous, Detroit, MI |
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