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Paper bags vs plastic: What’s really best for the environment?

Everyone is noticing how bad plastic is for the environment, but is the alternative we’re all leaning towards much better?

Paper Problems

Generally, the biggest environmental impact of all types of shopping bags is during the production process – not their use or discarded. Sometimes reusable and paper bags require more resources to produce than the lightweight plastic bags commonly found in supermarkets.

A 2008 study found paper bags take four times as much water to make than plastic. In addition to this, plastic bags are also much more likely to be re-used than paper, particularly as bin-liners.

A UK study found paper bags would have to be reused at least four times to compete with the efficiency offered by plastic bags.

The only real advantage of paper bags is that they degrade much more easily and there are more options for recycling.

What about reusables?

Much more goes into the production of a reusable bag, so if they’re not reused the environmental impacts are devastating. The UK study found a cotton bag would have to be used on average 173 times to compete with a plastic bag.

The problems with biodegradable bags

Biodegradable bags are usually made from a mix of plant and synthetic matter and as a result can release methane when sent to landfill. Whilst their ability to break down is a great way to tackle waste, Methane is about 21 times more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide which can have a huge environmental impact.

So what should I use?

Regardless of which you choose, the key is reuse. Most of the environmental impact comes from production, so the more a bag can be used, the better. Reuse is indeed a critical factor in promoting sustainability and moving towards a more carbon neutral lifestyle. The environmental impact of any product, including bags, is primarily attributed to its production process, which often involves resource extraction, energy consumption, and emissions. The more a bag is reused, the longer its lifespan, and the lower its impact on the environment over time.

Choosing reusable bags, such as cloth or sturdy tote bags, significantly reduces the demand for single-use bags, like plastic or paper bags. By using a reusable bag multiple times, a single bag can potentially replace hundreds of disposable bags that would have been used otherwise. This reduces the need for continuous production and disposal of single-use bags, subsequently lowering associated carbon emissions and waste generation.

Moreover, promoting reuse fosters a circular economy, where resources are kept in use for as long as possible, minimizing the need for new raw materials and energy-intensive manufacturing processes. It also reduces the burden on waste management systems, as fewer bags end up in landfills or as litter in the environment.

Transitioning towards a more sustainable lifestyle, including adopting reusable bags, contributes to a broader shift towards carbon neutrality. As more individuals and communities embrace reuse practices, the demand for disposable products decreases, leading to reduced greenhouse gas emissions from production and disposal processes.

Sam Roberts