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Paper Bags vs. Plastic Bags
How do you reply when the clerk asks, “Paper or plastic?” Reusablebags.com has the answer.
The answer to the “paper or plastic?” dilemma is: Neither. They’re roughly equal in pros and cons. While convenient addictions, they both gobble up natural resources and cause significant pollution
The statistics are endless…
- Americans use over 14 billion plastic bags every year, the equivalent to 12 million barrels of oil.
- Plastic bags take up to 1,000 years to degrade.
- Even paper bags do not completely degrade in landfills because of the lack of water, light and air circulation.
- Paper bags generate 70% more air pollution and 50 times more water pollutants than plastic bags.
- Hundreds of thousands of marine mammals die each year because they mistake littered plastic bags for food.
What can you do to reduce the waste?
- Just say ‘no’ to the bag. Do you really need a bag to carry 2 or 3 items? Put them in your purse or backpack.
- Bring your own bag. Keep it in the car for last minute purchases on your way home from work. If you don’t already own a canvas tote or other reusable bag, invest in some today.
- Suggest to the manager of your favorite store to offer a rebate when you bring your own bag.
- Pick up litter. When you see a littered bag, pick it up and recycle it appropriately.
Old habits are hard to break. Take it one day at a time, one bag at a time.
