Which is worse, Plastic or Paper?

Question

from a survey which i have not finished most people BELEIVE that plastic is worse than paper.

Paper cuts down trees that provide oxygen for living organisms, and trees are also very important parts of biomes. Only some companies replace trees. Most paper is recyclable.

Plastic isn't as biodigradable as paper. Plastic is bad for the ozone because the factories that create plastic polutte a lot. Plastic isn't as recyclable as paper.

I know i have missed out on many details that matter to decide which is worse.

Please leave your opinon, more facts, or if you know the real anwser leave it. Also if you know any Environmentialists let them know about this so they can help me with my pondering.

P.S. I aplogize for the spelling and grammer mistakes.

Answer 1

Plastic takes 32 years to deterioate in the ground.

Trees, reforrestation?

How many acres of land do we have covered with trees in the national forrests alone?

How many acres are open land around your town?

Answer 2

Plastic is bad.  It turns out its really really bad.  Not renewable and not biodegradable at all - It will break up into tiny bits but it's basically forever.  At least paper is renewable and a natural biodegradable substance.  It has to be done correctly of course, there are alternatives.  The first thing is to not bleach and reuse, recycle.  We could also do things like hemp which could provide all the worlds fiber many times over.

Answer 3

The making of paper can waste many thousands of gallons of water, as can the recycling of paper. The human and mechanical efforts and costs are very high, not forgetting the physical cost to loggers and those who work around the numerous chemicals. Plastic is, by comparison, efficient and low energy to produce, and, easily and efficiently recycled. Plastic reduces, recycles marvelously, and in that, is reused. After contrasting the efforts behind the making of paper and plastic, it is our unbiased opinion that plastic is indeed more beneficial to the environment, in that it is less harmful. The next time you are asked the dreaded question, "Paper or plastic?", you can answer knowing that you are making the informed choice.

I just read that at this one site. I would have thought that plastic was worse too.

Answer 4

(Paper & Printing sales for over 25 years)

Nowadays, almost 1/2 of the paper sold today has some PCW (post consumer waste) in it. This is paper that is actually saved from landfills. I say saved because it is captured prior to hitting the landfill. IF you don't believe this then go look at a modern day paper recycling center. You will see millions of tons of paper.

Paper mills are held to extremely high standards with regard to its water intake, its pollution or air and water, and its lumber.

Now take that in comparison to Oil companies. This current administration has been very pro-oil!!!! Bush had bad envoronmental policies in Texas before he left and carried them to the White House. Oil refineries are the dirtiest, most environmental abusive manufacturing faciltiies in the world. If a paper mill was to pollute .01% of what an oil refinery does it would be shut down by the government. But the oil company gets a slap on the hand...if that.

Yes, there are recycling centers all over the nation. They collect ALL types of paper, but only some types of plastic. Even of that, do you actually know if the plastic bottle you are using is actually MADE of recycled plastics. You can't request it from the bottle manufacturer. However, you can request recycled paper from your printer.

Just some food for thought!

Nice subject! GL

On the answer/comment that it takes more energy to recycle paper than to cut the trees. Your an idiot!!!