Question of the Week: What do you use: paper, plastic, or reusable bags?
Each week we ask a question related to the environment. Please let us know your thoughts as comments. Feel free to respond to earlier comments or post new ideas. Previous questions.
Paper or plastic? We take shopping bags for granted, especially at the grocery store, and it’s easy to fill up several bags per trip. Both paper and plastic bags use resources, multiplied by the billions of bags used annually worldwide. You can reuse and recycle both paper and plastic types, which delays their being thrown away, or you can reduce waste with permanent bags.
What do you use: paper, plastic, or reusable bags?
En español: Cada semana hacemos una pregunta relacionada al medio ambiente. Por favor comparta con nosotros sus pensamientos y comentarios. Siéntase en libertad de responder a comentarios anteriores o plantear nuevas ideas. Preguntas previas.
¿Papel o plástico? Damos por sentado las bolsas al momento de comprar, especialmente en el supermercado, y es fácil llenar varias bolsas en cada compra. Tanto las bolsas de papel como las de plástico utilizan recursos, multiplicados por miles de millones de bolsas usadas anualmente a nivel mundial. Usted puede reutilizar o reciclar tanto las de papel como las de plástico, lo cual puede aplazar el tener que disponer de ellas. O también puede reducir los desechos con bolsas permanentes.
¿Cuáles utiliza: bolsas de papel, plástico o reutilizables?
Editor's Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.
When my son was in diapers, plastic bags were extremely useful for disposing of the stinky diapers. Now, however, we use reusable shopping bags. The same amount of groceries that used to require 7 -8 plastic bags fits into two reusable bags (this would not be convenient, however, if I was walking, but in that instance I have a little collapsible cart to bring with me).
Quite often I forget to bring the bags into the store with me. No problem! I simply ask the bagger to put all my items directly back into the cart, wheel my cart to the car and load my reusable bags there.
That is a good idea, using reusable containers for leftovers. I have been wondering what I could do about the styrofoam I keep bringing home with me…
To answer the question, I am doing all that I can to eliminate plastic bags from my life. It is not easy to remember my canvas bags yet, because I have not been in the habit of using them for very long. But if I forget, I just ask for paper. Paper can go into the recycling, and I use it to contain the overflow other recyclables that won’t all fit in the bin.
Also, I used to use plastic bags to empty my cat’s litter box. Now I just scoop everything directly into my main trash bin, for which i use biodegradable plastic liners. (Ecobags, if anyone is interested). I used to line my smaller bins with plastic bags, but I never liked the way it looked, and my mission to eliminate plastic bags has justified my decision not to use them for that anymore.
Looks like a majority of those posting comments are using reusable bags at the grocery store. However that’s now what I’m witnessing at the stores in my area. It’s an idea that’s got great merit, but getting people to change their habits voluntarily is obviously going to take awhile. In the meantime, as someone pointed out, why don’t stores get more fully involved?
In my previous comment, I meant to say “That’s NOT what I’m witnessing at the stores in my area”.
I will use paper every time. Most people don’t realize that using plastic actually kills trees! I live in Florida which used to be covered by millions of acres of a renewable resource…the yellow pines. These trees were grown to produce pulp (for paper bags/toilet paper, etc.), produce oxygen which we need to breathe, and are aesthetic. When we switch to plastic it reduces demand for paper and, hence, trees. Therefore, millions of acres of timberland is converted each year to commercial and residential development (asphalt and concrete), which is a more profitable use of land. If you don’t buy this, visit Northwest Florida and see what’s happening to all the St. Joe Paper land around Okaloosa and Walton Counties.
In addition, plastic bags are processed from fossil fuels which we generally import. Reduced plastic use would cut back on foreign oil consumption.
Probably the most conservation-minded way to containerize our purchased goods is by re-using plastic, paper or canvas containers. But these need to be stored when not in use (possible vermin habitat, space requirements). Plus it cuts down on the “convenience factor”. Most people live a very fast paced life and cannot, or will not, take the steps necessary to recycle in such a manner. The truth is, the only type of recycling that is nearly cost effective is “at-the-source” recycling.
I close by stating we should incinerate this waste, especially in light of the realistic mind frame and life style of this country. Both paper and plastic are high BtU fuels which can be utilized to produce high temperature/high pressure steam which can spin a turbine to produce energy. The air emission controls have proven to be efficient in controlling pollutants such as sulphur and nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide/dioxide, dioxins, heavy metals, etc.
This has multiple benefits in terms of energy conservation alone. Carbon is recycled to energy, fuel consumption by vehicles (transport/workers) used to recycle materials is cut, and people don’t have to waste their time and energy on recycling.
When you consider the big picture (I wish EPA would), simple is better. Don’t complicate the process; that consumes more energy. Analyze the impacts of proposals by calories, not dollars or emotions.
I rather use a canvas bag however its tough because of the fact that I don’t walk around with one in my purse…so when I go to the supermarket after work I have no choice but to get the plastic bags…but I try my best to fit all I need in one bag or carry the items in my hands…once again the idea of convenience is the issue
I use plastic bags, occasionally paper. But if stores required me to BUY bags, or bring my own bags for free, I’d bring my own in a heartbeat.
I bought 6 Fold-a-Tote bags from my grocery store when they had them on sale. They fold to a small size, snap to store and store well. Since then, I have asked my grocerer several times about some more of these bags since they are much nicer than the standard canvas bag. When I just did a search, I found them listed in Europe but not in the US :(
What folks don’t realize is that they are much more convenient than plastic or paper bags. You can put MUCH more in one bag, and so far they have not torn even with heavy loads in them (try that with paper or plastic!). More in one bag means less trips to the car to get groceries in the house.
At first, I always forgot to put them back in the car (solved this by putting back in the car IMMEDIATELY after unloading). Once in the car, I would forget to bring them in the store. I have been doing it long enough now that it is just normal for me to pick them up when I go in the store.
Now that I am used to it, I cannot go back! Primarily for convenience! If people would get in the habit, it is really no big deal.
Works well everywhere I have been but Wal-Mart. The carousel bag system does not work well with your own bags.
I’ve been using reusable bags since 1997. My grocery store at the time gave $.05 for every reusable bag, and the same if one brought their own containers for bulk food, so I got into the habit of refilling glass jars instead of using plastic bags each time. Even though my current store doesn’t offer the incentives, I’m in the habit and it’s my little challenge. I often re-use plastic newspaper bags for fruits and veggies when I go to the farmers market and for wrapping up tupperware for lunch so as to avoid spills. Because wide-mouthed yogurt containers are not recyclable in our area, I’ve started making my own yogurt with soy milk in the regular carton that is compostable. We generate about one kitchen sized garbage bag every 6 weeks. Our recycling is about a milk crate’s worth per week. We definitely practice the the three Rs with Reduce as our goal first.
We bring reusable cloth bags with us when we shop at the farmers’ market, grocery store, Target or hardware store. Sometimes we need to choose paper or plastic and we usually choose plastic. We then re-use these as garbage can liners and to pick up after our dog. Occasionally, we will choose paper and bundle our newspapers for recycling. I wish consumers and store managers would EXPECT us to bring our own bags and only offer paper/plastic as needed.
I use string bags that I crochet. I’ve made them for family and friends, and am now selling them. They’re easy, if you crochet you can make up your own pattern, find one on-line, or look at the patterns on the wrappers for Sugar and Cream cotton yarn, found at Michael’s and other craft stores. They take about 2 hours to make and cost $2-3 for the yarn.
We have a variety of cotton and canvas bags that we use when grocery shopping. We’re getting better at having some in each of our vehicles. When we forget we usually use plastic which we recycle. We have a small trailer in Canada and have cavas bags there also. The paper bags or crdboard boxes also work well when we recycle our newspapers.
Our regional Hannaford supermarket chain sold the best cloth bags – more expensive than other stores, but fold into a small square with snap fastener. Something that folds up or scrunches small (like a string bag – thanks for that tip Nena!) makes it easier to bring along a reusable bag, even carrying it in a big purse. I said the supermarket “sold” them since I haven’t seen them offered recently – maybe they didn’t catch on in our area. My family also collects some plastic bags though; did anyone point out how many uses they get put to around the house? We don’t end up bringing in too many to be recycled.
I carry my reusable bags in the car always. Sometimes I forget to take them in but if I’m carrying out only a few items, I use no bag at all. I’ll use paper if I forget.
I have been using plastic bags, but then I decided why not to pay for a reusable bag. So now I have two reusable bags for groceries that I have in the car. The rest of the groceries come in plastic bags, if they don’t fit in the two reusable grocery bags.
If you go to SAM’s you don’t get any plastic bags at all. I collect a lot of the plastic bags and I am wondering if I should take them to the grocery store and put them in the recycle bin.
I have been using reusable bags for about two years now. We use them when we go grocery shopping. The biggest problem I have encountered is when you ask baggers to place the items in the reusable bags, they do not fill them up and still try to give me plastic bags. For that reason, I usually go through the self checkout line, when possible.
I have found that I am more likely to use the reusable bags if I immediately return them to my car after unloading them inside. In the case I forget one of my five reusable bags, I try to either go without a bag or use plastic, which is recycled or turned into a trash liner in the bathroom.
I have a canvas bag (keep forgetting to take it with me); I shop at a store which switched to paper bags.
HOWEVER….I NEED PLASTIC BAGS TO DISPOSE OF MY TRASH DOWN THE TRASH CHUTES HERE IN NYC.
Why do the leaders of environmental mandates often/usually overlook practical considerations when coming up with these mandates. I now have to purchase small plastic bags to put my trash in. I recycle all that I can but I still generate small volumes of non-recyclable trash. Some people in my apartment building are shoving the bigger paper bags down the chutes, clogging them up. We now have a new problem that we previously did not have to contend with and now I have less money in my pocket because I have to purchase bags. Why can’t someone come up with biodegradable plastic (other material) bags?
Here in Kotilk, our stores use paper bags, boxes and or some people us their own bags when they go shoping. We banned plastic bags from our stores.
Hi, Dan from NYC. There are biodegradable bags, like BioBag. Unfortunately, they may be a bit difficult to find in shops around town. Also, I heard it is difficult for these bags to break down in a landfill. I think the BioBag breaks down best in a compost pile (where there is plenty of oxygen to fuel the degradation process)… It sounds like you are quite conscientious about what you consume and throw out which is great! If you need a plastic bag or two to properly dispose of your trash, don’t fret. I am guessing innovation will eventually produce a solution to your plastic bag quagmire. Oh yes, to answer the EPA question, I use one of the many reusable bags I have at home. The bags that fold up into a tiny stuff sacks are my favorite. They are versatile and easy to carry around in a backpack, work bag, etc.
Paper–but we use the bags as our recycling bins and recycle them along with the recyclables. We eat tons of food, so canvas bags are hard.
We have our bags of bags. A natural fiber bag that contains more natural fiber bags is in each of our little cars, so we NEVER have to use petrolrum base plastic bags. In Northwest Indiana it was like a battle zone when you did not use the store’s plastic bags and used your own. You name it, the retailers did it but I agree that the benefit is worth the effort.
Petroleum base plastic bags are killers, period. These bags have been proven over and over again, to be a major threat to every living thing on our planet, in one way or another. They should not be used anymore. Please, ask your state, county, city or local government to impose a PLAS-TAX of fifteen cents on every petroleum base plastic bag that a merchant distributes and phase them out.
If you do have to use plastic bags, please twist them and tie knots in them. If you do that, they will not blow up into trees and when they are knotted, they are less of a threat to wildlife.
Let’s kill the bags before they kill our environment!
L.K.
Neither paper nor plastic is the solution. The solution is reusable bags. I think it’s so important for individuals to take more responsibility for the environment. I came across a neat website http://www.simplestop.net that stops your postal bulk mail and benefits the environment. It’s a great example of business providing both a great product to the consumer and a benefit to the environment. The same is begining to be found in companies selling reusable bags in grocery stores like whole foods.
I have two canvas bags and four mesh bags [made from recycled materials]. I absolutely love usiing them, they hold more than the plastic store bags, the bottoms and handles don’t split or rip out. I have been using canvs bags for about two years. The six bags can carry all my groceries for two weeks and are much much easier to lift & carry. I recycle everthing the recycler will take. Since I live in a rural area,my next step at going green is installiing a cleaning ‘creek’bed” so we can reuse the ‘grey water used in washing for wateriing the yard. I simply feels good to do a little something to conserve our natural resources and create a cleaner/healthier earth.
I use reusable bags.
I found a great vendor that makes a nylon type that folds into itself so that you can carry it in you pocket into the store. Also, they are easy to wash.
In fact, I purchase store plastic shopping bags for the company for which I work. After reading up on what plastic is doing to the marine environment in the Pacific (search Garbage Patch) and the coast of MD, we are now putting plastic bags with a degradable compound in our stores as well as offering Reusable Bags.
I am on a personal campaign to eliminate plastic bags. We are choking our oceanic wildlife and contaminating the ocean.
Why make something that lasts thousands of years that people only use for 10 minutes?
Its really nice and appreciating article because, in this the use and recycling of paper bags and plastic are mentioned, which create awarness to the youth.
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maks smith
Addiction Recovery South Dakota
Generally I use canvas, although some tellers still look at me funny when I request no bag. When I forget my canvas bags I take plastic and use them for garbage bags or bring them back to Wal*Mart for recycling. If I am just running in to get a few items I simply carry the items out in my arms, making sure to keep my receipt handy.
I have purchased so many of the reusable bags that I have lost track of how many. They are all over the place. Black ones, red ones, green ones, off white, a virtual plethora of colored reusable bags. However, I rarely get to the store with even one to put my purchases into. Nowadays, I just say “no bag” please. You would be surprised how many stores are irritated that I do not want one of their wasteful plastic bags. I have even had clerks put my stuff in a bag after I requested no bag. I end up having to pull my stuff out and hand back the bag. They stop me at the door and check my entire ticket with what is in my cart. I wonder if they realize that I would not be walking out with a cartful of stuff with my ticket in my hand, if I was trying to steal something. Wouldn’t I want to hide something inside a bag if I were trying to get away with something? Having a plastic bag filled with stuff does not guarantee that what is inside has been paid for. However, stores like the big chain that start with W and ends with t, have a policy that if the item is not in a bag, the ticket has to be checked. So, I rarely go to that store because they make being environmentally responsible a nusiance to acheive. I was really comforted to see that some of the posters have the same trouble remembering the bags as I do.
100% Reusable Bags, I have made a commitment to myself to buy another bag everytime (most stores sell them for $.99-1.99) I forget to bring one -and trust me, after I made that commitment I have never forgot. I also bring reusable bags for all of my shopping needs, dvd rentals, clothes shopping etc… there is never a need to use a store’s provided bag.
I would also say, if you leave near (within 15-50 miles) of a major body of water you should always use paper. For it will disintegrate better in water then the plastic which will often ends up inside the aquatic animals and birds.
The sticker idea is great. I do not have that kind of grocery store in Kansas, but I am going to try to put a green dot sticker on my car window to remind me to take a bag with me. Thanks!
I still get some plastic bags because I have a cat and I use the plastic bags for cat litter. When at the grocery store I get paper bags and use them to take my recycling to the bins.
I use plastic then re-use them by filling them with plastic containing disposable diapers and then throw them in a plastic garbage can liner and take that and throw it in the landfill so that 100 generations from now they can know my baby was pooping just fine.
I use my packable-key chain tote bag most of the time. It packs into a small side pocket on the bag and fits in my purse or backpack. It is always with me. I also have canvas bags in the car for when I am really stocking up.
Living in Ireland I learned to take my own bags since the grocery stores are required by law to charge 5 cents per plastic bag. A great way to reduce waste and litter long the streets.
I use all 3 but I’m cutting down on the paper & plastic. I purchased 2 reusable bags from Trader Joes for .99/ea and they’re sturdy and hold a lot more than the disposables. If you bring a reusable bag to TJ’s you are entered into a weekly drawing to win $20 worth of groceries.
I fill up a paper bag each week with junk mail and cardboard for recycling. And I use my plastic bags as trash can liners.
If your house is already loaded with packing peanuts and shipping cartons, take it to a UPS store and they will use it again.
Used to be that some stores insisted your purchases go into their plastic bags
this was to control shop li8fting, however even they are coming around and now will let you go out with you own bag or none at all.
I have been arguing with clerks who want to bag items that are already well-contained for years; why try to stick a gallon of milk or laundry detergent in a flimsy plastic bag when the original container is nice and sturdy and has a perfectly good handle? I used to gather quite a lot of odd looks when I said, “Don’t bag the milk,” but I’ve been persistent and the clerks where I usually shop don’t fight it any more. Training them to use the canvas or string bags is just a repeat of that process, but I’m sure I’ll wear them down eventually. I did find it annoying when I handed my bag to a clerk last week and he wasted quite a long while looking for the bar code so he could scan it!
I have reusable bags that I keep in my car and if I have to use the stores plastic bags, I return them to the store to be recycled.
All three and none:
Paper–when I need it for projects–recycled for wrapping items to be mailed, arts & crafts projects, etc.
Plastic–when I need it and at extremely unfriendly Wal-mart on the rare occasion I go there–recycled for small wastebasket liners, in substitute for disposable gloves to pick up things like dead animals, animal feces, roadside trash, etc.
Reusable–especially at Aldi’s, also freezer bags & cooler for grocery stores–but not at Wal-mart. As others have reported, Wal-mart door folks singled me out immediately for treating me like a criminal shoplifter, going through everything in my cart, especially when I buy bolts of fabric. The door security alert things didn’t even go off, but they still accosted me and treated me like a thief, even though I had paid for everything in my cart and had my receipt in my hand. I find Wal-mart’s attitude towards no bag/reusable bag folks very unfriendly, and rather ironic, since at Sam’s Club, their warehouse store chain, they don’t even sell bags and everything is thrown into your cart loose. Wal-Mart should check EVERYONE’s cart, not just those of us choosing no bags–their plastic bag isn’t some magical thing guaranteeing what’s inside isn’t stolen or that the shopper hasn’t hidden something stolen somewhere else on their person/kids/etc.
None–if we can carry it without any bags, or take it out loose in the cart, we do, especially at the hardware store
I use plastic bags since I never remeber any canvas bags before I go to the grocery store. I reuse the plastic bags for my lunch, childerns’ wet cloths, and just about everythiong I need to carry including my newspapers for recycling. About once a month I take all of the bags back to the store for recycling.
I’ve been using canvas or nylon bags for years, and have accumulated a collection of over a dozen now. Like Linda, I frequently have to fight with baggers on how to use as few bags as possible.
As a note to the policymakers at the EPA: in Ireland, they have banned plastic bags entirely. In many places, if you do want a bag, you have to pay for it. If shoppers realized that wasteful plastic and paper is not an entitlement that’s theirs for free, then they’ll start changing their bagging habits pretty quickly.
I use reusable bags for grocery shopping and recycle plastic and paper bags when I must accept a bag. Another idea is to share your (clean) plastic and paper bags with local resale shops…the ultimate reduce, reuse, recycle venues!
I have some terrific reusable bags which also help keep food cold that I take into the grocery store and Walmart.
I now use mostly a reusable bag, and paper bags when I do my weekly grocery shopping. I still have some questions, though, and maybe others who post comments can answer them.
1. What happens to the blue plastic bags that I put my recyclables in after they get to the recycling center?
2. What about sandwich bags, etc? Can they be recycled and are they as bad for the environment as regular plastic bags?
3. I’ve heard that not many places recycle plastic bags. What kinds of places usually do?
I bought a couple of those re-usable bags, which I remember to take to the store every third time maybe. Our grocery store does have a bag collection site and if I accumulate too many, I turn them in there. I do re-use some as small trash bags in the restroom at church.
We generally have used canvas bags for the past year or two now. It started when I would go to events-fairs, conferences, etc.-where they would inevitably give me a tote bag to carry my stuff in. Not wanting to throw them away or give them away, we just kept them and began taking them to the grocery store with us. Now we have a collection of about 6 or 7 that we always try to bring with us. On the occasions where we forget, we get plastic bags, and then reuse them for dog poop pick-up purposes and as garbage bags–we haven’t had to buy any “real” garbage bags for over 5 years!
In the past year I have bought several reusable bags from various stores. I keep them with several cloth tote bags I have gotten from my membership to environmental organizations. I use them for groceries and mall shopping. The other day I used eight reuseable bags grocery shopping and received a complement from another buyer. She said it was the first time she saw someone use only reuseable bags for all their purchases. I told her how I keep them in my car all the time and she said she was going to do the same. I think the more people use reuseable bags, the more the trend will catch on. Besides, it’s cool to be “green”!
As with others, I’ve been using canvas &/or heavy-duty reinforced plastic bags(w/ handles) for about 20 years or so. When shopping and forgot bags, I choose paper over plastic and use them for recycling junk mail, newspapers, etc. or as trash can bags. I also return clean plastic bags to the grocery store recycling bin. One grocery store gives credit for re-usable bags.
Canvas bags. I had trouble early on remembering to grab them, but once you get it into your mental model for a grocery trip, you can’t forget them. Worst case, I have a last minute errand and I don’t have my canvas bags, I’ll either use plastic and recycle them at the grocery, or grab paper bags and use them to hold shredded documents in my recycling bin.
I have several reusable bags, but like many, I tend to forget them. I have to admit to using plastic bags; however, I never throw them away. I use them at home. My cats like to chew on them. I save them for packing since I live far from family. They come in very handy mailing Christmas packages and other gifts. Since I’m planning to move soon, I’m using them to pack my household items. Much cheaper than bubble wrap.
I typically ask for plastic, which in turn are used to cleanup and dispose of doggie waste. Once I get a stockpile of plastic I use cloth bags that have been picked up at various conferences and meetings and then recycle the extra plastic bags.
I use reusable bags. If the order is too large and I get a plastic bag, I re-use that. I also save plastic containers and cardboard boxes to be used with animals I rehabilitate. When tha plastic gets too bad for use, then I recycle it. Plastic peanuts go to the UPS store. Most food waste can be composted or fed to the animals. Unfortunately, our trash hauler insists we use plastic bags – they won’t pick up loose stuff. Our family never has more than one can, but that liner bugs me.