Many times when you go shopping, you’ll find yourself confronted with the choice of either paper bags or plastic bags. So what’s the best answer when the clerk asks “Paper or plastic”? Many of us find ourselves pondering that question and wondering what is the responsible choice for the environment. Considering that paper and plastic bags are the most popular store options, it’s necessary to look at their differences in order to make informed choices.
Plastic Shopping Bags
One of the most rampant pollutants on the planet is the measly plastic bag. It seems to be a small and negligible item. But in fact, there are millions of plastic bags filling our landfills all over the US, and in every country all over the world.
Estimates reveal that 6.8 billion people consume over a trillion plastic shopping bags in a span of just one year. This is a reflection of the current global population. Considering that many plastic bags do not get recycled and end up in our landfills and those that are recycled still have a limited recyclable lifespan. We could find ourselves in quite a predicament if the popularity of plastic shopping bags does not decrease.
Every year, millions of barrels of oil are used just to produce the trillion plastic bags needed for our world’s annual consumption. The manufacturing of these bags alone drastically increases the amount of carbon emissions in the air. These are just a few of the adverse impacts of plastic bags on the environment.
Paper Shopping Bags
Choosing paper shopping bags is considered a lesser evil compared to plastic bags. These bags are biodegradable and generally have some recycled content. However, it is necessary to understand the environmental impact of the production of paper bags. Trees are used to manufacture these bags and it is important to know whether the trees are from sustainable forests or not. Also you have to consider where they were manufactured and the transportation of the finished product. Only then will you know whether the paper bag you are using is truly eco-friendly. Unfortunately, we have yet to see a locally sourced eco-friendly certification in the market place. However you choose to look at it, paper bags are more natural and less toxic to the environment.
Recycle and Reuse
To help minimize our waste each day, we can reuse paper bags on multiple shopping excursions or for other activities. Recycling plastic bags is another way to lessen the manufacturing of these less-than-ideal products. You can also opt to bring reusable bags with you to the supermarket or mall. You can find green bags online or in many stores these days. This is one way to help reduce your carbon footprint.
Indeed, with all the problems that Mother Earth is facing right now, it’s a great time for everyone to contribute even in the littlest of ways. Reusing and recycling are among the things that you can easily do for the preservation of the environment.
