The debate over paper or plastic grocery bags has no apparent end in sight. Arguments can be made for either paper or plastic as the most environmentally responsible material, but some have settled the issue by switching to reusable cloth sacks. While this solution may be elegant, most consumers are still confronted with the paper or plastic question whenever they shop for groceries. In order to decide between the two choices, it might help to examine what is meant by "better for the environment."
Very few manufacturing processes have absolutely no negative impact on the environment. In the paper or plastic debate, paper is often promoted as the wiser choice for the environment because of its organic nature and biodegradibility. Paper for grocery bags is created from natural pulp derived from an abundant supply of commercial trees. There are no artificial dyes added to the product, and paper grocery bags degrade relatively quickly in landfills and other sides. From the aspect of biodegradibility and raw materials, paper would appear to win the argument between paper or plastic.
The paper bags must be manufactured somewhere, however, and that means factories which require significant amounts of energy to operate. These factories also discharge waste products into local waterways and into the air. Trees work as carbon dioxide traps and also provide a supply of fresh oxygen for all of the Earth's inhabitants. If the paper industry does not maintain a program of replacing the trees it uses for production, the environment as a whole could suffer. When it comes to responsible use of natural resources, biodegradable plastic may have a slight advantage in the paper or plastic debate.
Proponents of plastic grocery bags suggest that traditional petroleum-based plastics may not be as environmentally friendly as organic paper, but manufacturer can produce many more plastic bags for the same amount of expended energy. When factories are able to work more efficiently, the environment benefits as well. It takes fewer natural resources such as coal and gas to produce plastic bags in bulk, compared to the more labor-intensive manufacturing required to produce paper bags.
The problem with traditional petroleum-based plastic bags, environmentally speaking, is their chemical nature. Plastic bags can take centuries to degrade, and they discharge environmentally harmful gases as they do. Plastic bags can also block sunlight, which can hamper the natural reclamation process as small plants die off. Recently developed biodegradable plastic bags made from non-petroleum sources have improved conditions somewhat, but there are still millions of traditional plastic bags sitting virtually unchanged under the ground.
Plastic bags are indeed recyclable, which should be a positive step for the environment, but few customers actually return their plastic bags to the store. Paper bags, on the other hand, may be made from recycled materials and waste pulp from other processes. When it comes to ability to be recycled, the paper or plastic debate leans towards paper. If a biodegradable plastic grocery bag made from organic materials should appear, however, the scales may become a little more balanced.
Very few manufacturing processes have absolutely no negative impact on the environment. In the paper or plastic debate, paper is often promoted as the wiser choice for the environment because of its organic nature and biodegradibility. Paper for grocery bags is created from natural pulp derived from an abundant supply of commercial trees. There are no artificial dyes added to the product, and paper grocery bags degrade relatively quickly in landfills and other sides. From the aspect of biodegradibility and raw materials, paper would appear to win the argument between paper or plastic.
The paper bags must be manufactured somewhere, however, and that means factories which require significant amounts of energy to operate. These factories also discharge waste products into local waterways and into the air. Trees work as carbon dioxide traps and also provide a supply of fresh oxygen for all of the Earth's inhabitants. If the paper industry does not maintain a program of replacing the trees it uses for production, the environment as a whole could suffer. When it comes to responsible use of natural resources, biodegradable plastic may have a slight advantage in the paper or plastic debate.
Proponents of plastic grocery bags suggest that traditional petroleum-based plastics may not be as environmentally friendly as organic paper, but manufacturer can produce many more plastic bags for the same amount of expended energy. When factories are able to work more efficiently, the environment benefits as well. It takes fewer natural resources such as coal and gas to produce plastic bags in bulk, compared to the more labor-intensive manufacturing required to produce paper bags.
The problem with traditional petroleum-based plastic bags, environmentally speaking, is their chemical nature. Plastic bags can take centuries to degrade, and they discharge environmentally harmful gases as they do. Plastic bags can also block sunlight, which can hamper the natural reclamation process as small plants die off. Recently developed biodegradable plastic bags made from non-petroleum sources have improved conditions somewhat, but there are still millions of traditional plastic bags sitting virtually unchanged under the ground.
Plastic bags are indeed recyclable, which should be a positive step for the environment, but few customers actually return their plastic bags to the store. Paper bags, on the other hand, may be made from recycled materials and waste pulp from other processes. When it comes to ability to be recycled, the paper or plastic debate leans towards paper. If a biodegradable plastic grocery bag made from organic materials should appear, however, the scales may become a little more balanced.
In my opinion, neither one is the winner. the best choice overall is to use a reusable bag. Many are made from recycled and natural materials such as our cotton string bags. Depending on the style, they’ll hold up to 18kg and last for years. Most can be machine washed and can be kept in the car, glove compartment, purse or backpack. The "No plastic bag" campaign in Malaysia is a good effort done by government to increase the awareness and increase the use of reusable bag. For both types of plastics and paper, the environmentalist mantra is the same — reuse and recycle. But the best choice, they say, is cloth or canvas, and BYOB — bring your own bags.
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