Paper,Plastic or Reusable Bags for Shopping and Reuse.

IMG_0283.jpg
 

Disposable paper and disposable plastic bags are both often given as choices when shopping, and while paper bags are often regarded as more environmentally sound, the scientific basis for either being superior is contested. 

In the production of non-recycled paper bags, paper is produced from the felling of trees, the creation of pulp and the constitution of paper, which often involves chemicals. The transit of paper ( given its relatively high density ) is considered carbon heavy. 

Plastic bags are contrasted from paper in the fact that plastic production ( the moulding of polymers ) is less environmentally impactful; transit is also noted for having a noticeably lower environmental impact than paper. These factors have often been referred to by pro-plastic bag advocates as evidence of plastic’s superiority over paper for disposable bag use.

 

After use, paper becomes more environmentally competitive to plastic; the two predominant reasons given for this are that recycle rates in the United States for plastic are lower generally than for paper, which increase the possibility for plastic to escape correct containment, leading to ocean and seaside contamination. The other reason given is that paper is biodegradable, which can result ( even with  littering ) a shortened environmental impact, though if sent to a landfill methane is still produced. These factors, along with with the civic detriments of stray plastic bags clogging and littering urban areas are referred to by pro-paper bag advocates as evidence of paper’s superiority over plastic for disposable bag use.

 

However, these arguments do not apply in instances when the bags are recycled; recycling in theory should produce more environmentally friendly disposable bags, however, paper recycling is energy intensive, and while recycling plastic in the EU is common, recycle rates for plastic in the USA ( as noted earlier ) are low.

 

According to a study performed by the UK Environment Agency analyzed the overall environmental impact of various plastic and paper bags, along with a reusable cotton bag; the results indicated that though there were no major waste effects, the environmental impacts from cotton production resulted in the environmental friendliness being comparable with reused LDPE ( Low Density Polyethylene ) or PP ( Polypropylene ) plastic bags, which are comparable to reused paper bags. This makes the length of time one uses a shopping bag, disposable or not, as important as the bag in itself. A cloth bag will ( according to another UK Environment Agency report ) become less impactful to the environment after 131 uses compared to a plastic bag, however you must ensure you purchase a reusable bag that is sufficiently durable to sustain that use. Meanwhile, the reusable bag will only overtake the disposable and reused paper and plastic bags if it is not produced overseas, in which case the shipping will take much longer use to compensate for.

 

 Overall, locally produced ( not imported ), recycled, and durable reusable bags are the best for the environment; however, if plastic or paper bags must be used, then as long as they are reused, then they will not detriment the environment; when you must dispose of plastic bags, recycling is the best answer. However, for paper, composting is determined to be more responsible than sending the bags through the energy intensive recycling process. 

 

SOURCES:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/shortcuts/2011/dec/20/paper-plastic-bags-which-best 

https://climatekids.nasa.gov/paper-or-plastic/

http://www.yalescientific.org/2015/05/paper-vs-plastic-the-science-behind-the-national-shopping-controversy/

https://www.wired.com/2016/06/banning-plastic-bags-great-world-right-not-fast/

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/18538484/ns/nbc_nightly_news_with_brian_williams/t/paper-or-plastic-whats-greener-choice/#.WwS7F9EpCfA

http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/programs/population_and_sustainability/sustainability/plastic_bag_facts.html

https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111672574

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/are-reusable-bags-worse-for-environment-than-plastic-2014-01-09