Paper VS. Plastic

There is a big debate about which is better for the environment: paper or plastic.

Oftentimes at visits to the grocery store the shopper is given the choice of whether to use  a plastic bag or a paper bag to check out with. Most people choose plastic thinking that it is better for the environment and because it is the more convenient choice. However, the decision is not that easy. There are disadvantages to both. 

One of the biggest problems with paper is that it causes pollution. People do not want to use paper because they want to "save the trees". But many people do not realize that paper production also emits air pollution. Another problem is that paper bags produce way more solid waste than plastic bags. A third problem is the inefficient recycling of paper bags. Although paper has a better recycling rate than plastic, many times the recycled paper is turned into cardboard products instead of new paper products. 

Just because paper has its environmental problems does not mean that plastic is the obvious choice. The use of plastic bags has its environmental issues as well. A big problem with plastic bags is litter. You see plastic bags blowing around everywhere today and it is a major problem. This causes a problem for wildlife. Many birds and small animals confuse littered plastic for food and they choke on it and die. A third problem is the recycling of plastic bags. Recycling plastic is very expensive and a fool-proof way has not been determined yet. 

The most environmental-friendly way to shop is to use reusable bags to hold your groceries. However, this is not always an option. When this is not an option, it is important to look at the environmental risks of using paper and plastic and make the decision you believe is best. 

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