Which is more environmentally friendly - paper or plastic bags?

Question

Paper bags involve the slaughter of innocent trees, get used once (usually) and are then landfilled or recycled. True they do biodegrade.

Plastic bags on the other hand, usually come from oil, are used once, and are then landfilled or recycled. They don't biodegrade.

So I guess the question is, is the biodegradeability worth the slaughter of innocent trees?

Another question would be the cost? Is it much cheaper to make and use plastic bags?

Answer 1

A new plastic called polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), marketed as Mirel, is a biodegradable plastic that should come into full production sometime next year.

It can handle temperatures of up to 140 degrees Celsius and biodegrade in normal compost and soil, both are properties lacked by the current biodegradable plastic polylactic acid (PLA).

PHA is produced by genetically modified bacteria from glucose derived from cornstarch, cutting out the need for oil entirely (besides basic production energy needs).

Answer 2

Glad you asked. One of my favorite causes, trying to stop friends from using plastic bags : )

Not a fan of paper either. If you really want to make a difference use recycled or reuseable bags, you can find them here (and more info about the effect of those nasty plastic ones on our planet):

http://www.reusablebags.com/

Peace.

Answer 3

paper bags can be recycled, havent heard the same for plastic

the plastic bags, imo, fall apart and break way too easily

I also use to use the paper bags as trash bags in home; the plastic, again, broke too eaily and are cheaply made

but i use one of my sturdy , roomy, Trader Joe bags

Answer 4

Use cloth bags.

Paper can be recycled and reused for making other paper.

Cloth (canvas/cotton) are the best imo.

Answer 5

Close call, with pluses and minuses for each.

The best environmental answer is to bring your own canvas bags to the store.

Second best is to reuse bags, plastic probably works better for that.