Facts About Brown Paper Bags
When asked, “paper or plastic?” in the checkout line at the supermarket, some people think that brown paper bags are the more eco-friendly choice. But paper bags still have an environmental impact:
Paper Bag Production and Disposal
Statistics show that paper bags are harder on the environment than plastic bags.
Resources Used
- Each year, Americans use about 10 billion paper bags, which results in the cutting down of 14 million trees.
- Four times the amount of energy is used to manufacture paper vs. plastic bags.
- 98 percent more energy is used to recycle paper vs. plastic bags.
Pollutants Created
- 70 percent more air pollutants than plastic bags
- 50 percent more water pollutants than plastic bags
Brown paper bags are recyclable, but only 10 to 15 percent are being returned to recycling plants. In addition, the manufacturing of new brown paper bags utilizes very little recyclable material. Recycle your paper bags using Earth911.
Bibliography: Facts About Brown Paper Bags
- "Brown Paper Bags" City of Fort Collins, 2008 http://www.ci.fort-collins.co.us/recycling/centers.php?ID=45.
- (01/01/1970). "Paper or Plastic?" Washington Post, 2008 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/graphic/2007/10/03/ R2007100301385.html?referrer=emaillink.
- Thompson, Anne. (01/01/1970). "Paper or Plastic, What’s the Greener Choice?" MSNBC http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18538484/.
