Paper or Plastic: Weighing the Environmental Impact of Grocery Bags
As more locales enact bans on disposable plastic bags, paper alternatives have surged in popularity at store checkouts. Initially, this shift appears environmentally sound. Plastic bags are derived from fossil fuels and are a significant source of pollution.
However, paper bags present their own environmental challenges, as do reusable totes.
Here’s a breakdown of key considerations for making well-informed choices about grocery bagging.
Comparing Plastic and Paper Bags
Directly comparing the environmental effects of different grocery bag types is complex. A bag’s ecological footprint is influenced by numerous variables: production methods, materials, transportation distance, and more. However, existing research provides valuable insights.
Paper bags generally require more energy for manufacturing than plastic bags. A 2011 United Kingdom Environment Agency analysis indicated that a paper bag would need to be reused three times to equal the global warming impact of a single-use plastic bag.
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Similarly, a 2018 Danish Environmental Protection Agency study determined that plastic bags made from low-density polyethylene, a common plastic type, have the smallest environmental footprint among eight grocery bag types assessed, including paper.
Despite these findings, the majority of both paper and plastic bags end up in landfills or incinerators. In landfills, decomposing paper bags generate methane and carbon dioxide, potent greenhouse gases. While plastic bags in landfills do not produce these gases, plastic pollution in the environment can break down into microplastics, persisting for extended periods.
Samantha MacBride, a waste management expert at Baruch College, City University of New York, emphasizes an additional factor for consumers: plastic bag usage sustains the fossil fuel sector. “That system must contract for a sustainable future,” she stated.
Reusable Tote Bags: Considerations
Reusable totes have become increasingly popular to decrease reliance on single-use bags. However, the widespread distribution of branded totes as promotional items at events and by businesses has created unintended consequences.
Excessive tote accumulation negates the objective of reduced consumption. Furthermore, more durable bags necessitate greater resource and material inputs compared to single-use options, increasing their environmental footprint.
Material choice is particularly significant. The UK study revealed that a cotton bag needs to be reused 131 times to match the carbon footprint of a single single-use plastic bag. The Danish study estimated this figure at 149 reuses. This higher impact is attributed to the land, water, and fertilizer required for cotton cultivation, energy-intensive yarn processing, and transportation, as many cotton bags are shipped from overseas.
Dr. MacBride suggests seeking reusable bags manufactured domestically from more sustainable materials such as hemp or bamboo, or ideally, from repurposed fabric scraps.
Conclusion: Optimizing Bag Usage
Regardless of bag material, experts concur that maximizing reuse is crucial for minimizing environmental impact.
Paper bags are often less durable, noted Steven Cohen, an environmental policy expert at Columbia University. Consumers, particularly those transporting groceries long distances, may question paper bag reliability.
For consistent reuse, durable totes, especially those made from recycled materials, are generally the optimal choice, provided excessive accumulation is avoided.
Michael Overcash, a chemical engineer and CEO of the Environmental Genome Initiative, highlighted a 2020 study comparing the global warming potential of 20 products. The research indicated that reusable products consistently outperformed single-use counterparts. This principle, he asserted, extends to grocery bags.
“Reusing a cotton bag a hundred times, even if it becomes worn and requires washing, prevents the production of one hundred paper or plastic bags,” Dr. Overcash explained. “The fundamental math is clear.”