Paper Vs. Plastic Grocery Bags

Many grocery stores used to ask "paper or plastic" at the checkout. But now many stores automatically pack items in plastic unless consumers specifically ask for paper.

Plastic is Cheap

Compared with paper grocery bags, plastic is much cheaper to produce. Because it is so economical, more than 80 percent of grocery and convenience stores use plastic bags.

Plastic Statistics

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags are used every year around the world. Some plastic bags will take hundreds of years to decompose.

Recycling

Many stores have begun plastic bag recycling programs to reduce the number of bags that are thrown away. Many consumers reuse plastic bags to line trashcans and to clean up after pets.

Paper Bags

Because paper is biodegradable, paper bags will not languish for years in landfills. But many consider them bulky and difficult to handle.

Paper Statistics

According to the Film and Plastic Federation, paper bag manufacturing is worse for the environment. They claim plastic bags use 40 percent less energy and create 70 percent fewer emissions to produce.

Alternatives

Environmentally conscious consumers are switching to reusable tote bags, avoiding the paper vs. plastic debate.

References

• National Geographic