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As cities and stores increasingly reject traditional plastic bags, is paper really the more sustainable alternative?
David Paul Morris/Getty ImagesAs you finish your weekly grocery run and queue up at the checkout, you're faced with yet another tough decision. The cashier casually asks, 'Paper or plastic?'—referring to which bag you'd like. For some, it's a stressful dilemma. The convenience of plastic calls to you, but your environmental conscience might nudge you toward paper. Yet, it’s raining, and if your paper bags tear, your groceries could get ruined. On the other hand, is it selfish to prioritize convenience over the fact that plastic bags could take thousands of years to break down in a landfill? But then again, aren't we supposed to protect trees and avoid wasting paper?
Consumer awareness isn't the only factor driving the "paper or plastic" debate. While plastic bags cost retailers less, they face pressure from environmental groups to eliminate them. As a result, stores and even entire cities are taking matters into their own hands and making the decision for us. Whole Foods, citing environmental concerns, stopped distributing plastic bags in 2008. Cities like San Francisco and Oakland have passed laws restricting or even banning plastic bags in grocery stores.
In response to Oakland's ban, a group funded by plastic manufacturers filed a lawsuit against the city. The Coalition to Support Plastic Bag Recycling argued that the city had not thoroughly studied the environmental impact of such a ban. The lawsuit wasn’t about protecting plastic profits but rather the environment. The coalition asserted that plastic bags are just as eco-friendly as paper, or more accurately, paper is equally as damaging to the planet as plastic. They argued that replacing plastic bags with paper could be more harmful to the environment.
So, what's the answer: paper or plastic? Both options have their own environmental drawbacks.
Paper vs. Plastic: Environmental Drawbacks of Each
In the debate over which is more eco-friendly, neither paper nor plastic bags come out as clear winners.When faced with the choice between paper and plastic, don't let the guilt of being eco-conscious automatically sway you toward paper. Both options carry significant environmental costs.
Before you opt for a paper bag, consider these environmental drawbacks associated with paper production:
- Pollution: Paper production creates air pollution, releasing 70% more pollution than plastic bag production [source: Thompson]. Some studies also show that paper manufacturing emits 80% more greenhouse gases [source: Lilienfield]. Additionally, producing paper involves cutting down trees that could otherwise absorb carbon dioxide. Paper production also results in 50 times more water pollutants compared to plastic bags [source: Thompson].
- Energy consumption: Despite plastic's reliance on petroleum, producing a paper bag consumes four times more energy than making a plastic one, requiring a significant amount of fuel according to a Northern Ireland Assembly briefing note.
- Water usage: Producing paper bags uses three times the amount of water it takes to produce plastic bags [source: Lilienfield].
- Recycling inefficiency: Recycling paper can be inefficient, often requiring more fuel than making a new paper bag. Additionally, it takes about 91% more energy to recycle a pound of paper than a pound of plastic [source: Milstein].
- Waste production: Paper bags contribute to about 80% more solid waste [source: Lilienfield].
- Slow biodegradation: According to the EPA, paper bags decompose in landfills at nearly the same rate as plastic bags [source: Lilienfield].
Despite its reputation, plastic has its own set of environmental downsides. Here are some of the drawbacks of plastic bags:
Many stores provide designated bins for the correct recycling of used plastic bags.
David McNew/Getty Images- Littering: Plastic bags can be found as litter all around — blowing in the wind, tangled in fences, and caught in trees. While they occasionally make appearances in art films like *American Beauty*, they are generally unsightly and troublesome.
- Threat to wildlife: Wildlife, including birds, often mistake plastic waste for food. This can lead to digestive issues and, ultimately, starvation for animals [source: Spivey]. To mitigate this, paper might be a better option, especially if you're near coastal areas where plastic waste could harm marine creatures and seabirds [source: Thompson].
- Slow degradation: Plastic doesn't biodegrade; it photodegrades in the sunlight. This process can take up to 500 or even 1,000 years in landfills [source: Lapidos]. However, since plastic is a relatively recent invention, its exact degradation time remains uncertain.
- Recycling issues: While plastic is generally easier to recycle than paper, plastic bags present a unique challenge. Many curbside recycling programs don't accept them because they can damage machinery at recycling plants [source: Milstein]. Some stores have set up bins specifically for the proper recycling of plastic bags.
The various factors involved have made the question of which option is more environmentally friendly a difficult one to answer. The EPA has acknowledged that this issue remains unresolved and doesn't view plastic bag usage as a major concern [source: Spivey]. Most environmental organizations suggest avoiding the choice altogether by focusing on reusing bags instead.
Recent innovations in biodegradable plastic bags have made them stronger, with cities like San Francisco hoping they will eventually replace traditional plastic bags. However, reports show that even these upgraded versions have their drawbacks, such as generating more greenhouse gas emissions than conventional plastic bags [source: Lilienfield].
