Which is better for the enviroment, Paper or Plastic?

Answer 1

For what? To chuck out and litter or to recycle? I think paper's better if you're going to litter since it's more biodegradable than plastic.

Answer 2

I wouldn't call either of these options environmentally friendly. Plastic comes from petroleum and many people think that is an all evil world polluting industry (I do not agree with that premise). Oil production does come with some negative consequences for the environment especially in third world countries like Iraq where people are blowing up refineries and pipelines and putting that thick black smoke in the air.

On the other hand paper requires cutting down trees and a lot of energy (oil) consumption along with a heavy use of water. Water is becoming a resource that many believe will be more rare than oil in coming years.

Once used, some plastics will never breakdown in the environment but paper will disintegrate and is not a lasting problem. From the disposal perspective, paper is better for the environment.

The best thing you can use is a home made basket woven from sweetgrass or hemp fibers or anything that you can re-use indefinitely.

Or, you could do what I do and seldom go to the store. I harvest my own fish and meat and grow my own vegetables.

Answer 3

While paper is recyclable, and is made from renewable resources, I don't believe it's worth the destruction of trees. If the store's bags are made from 100% recycled material, I use them.

My store recycles my plastic bags, so I get plastic and bring them back (after re-using them at least once). Unfortunately, most people don't, and the plastic winds up in the landfill...forever.

So bottom line, I'd say paper is better.

Answer 4

Well at the grocery store, they said plastic took up less space at landfills. But paper is biodegradable so in the end it is probably the more enviromentally friendly of the two. Even so, both can be recycled, or reused for many things. I use grocery bags as trash bags around the house.

Your best bet is to buy your own canvas bags and reuse them everytime you go to the store. That way you create less waste and you save your grocery store money.

Answer 5

I used to say "paper" at the store. But now I say "plastic". We recycle nearly everything we can.

We save our carboard, newspapers, all the plastic that we can. It's amazing how much you can recycle when you try.

We take our stuff to the recycle place about every three weeks.

As long as you recycle it does not matter if you say paper or plastic. That's my opion. But I could be wrong.

Answer 6

Canvas.I have one.Shop less,buy only what's necessary,save a plastic and a tree!

Answer 7

Well is it better to chop down a tree or strangle an animal.

Answer 8

Bring re-usable bags or cartons to use.

Answer 9

paper. paper is organic.