Paper vs plastic

[getforfree]

Whenever I shop at Raleys, the person who packages food in the bags usually asks if I want paper or plastic. I usually say plastic, because I use it instead of trushbags, so I don't have to buy any.

Last week, when I was there, the guy told me that the paper bags are enviroment friendly and all that stuff, I was like, yes, buy I don't want to spend extra $3 or whatever the cost of those trushbags every month.

Sometimes I take my trash out like 2-3 times a day, because it stinks, but if I would be using the bags that I pay for I would maybe take it out once in 2 days.

I don't think, that paper bags are that environment friendly, because I would trhow them aways and spend money on plastic. What do you think?

[autoxer]

Re: Paper vs plastic

Here is an article that thinks Plastic is a more environmental choice:

http://www.angelfire.com/wi/PaperVsPlastic/

I re-use the plastic bags to bring my lunch to work, but I think they are too small for trash.

[Roupey03]

Re: Paper vs plastic

I use them to bring my lunch to work also.

When I was a kid I used paper bags to make book covers. So it's your call their are uses for both bags.

[boefixepa]

Re: Paper vs plastic

I've used both for trash bags, I've used paper for bookcovers.

I use platic for just about anything I need to carry around too. So either would get reused as something in my house.

[poundwise]

Re: Paper vs plastic


Plastic is probably the better choice. You can reuse bags for wastecans, etc. and you can recycle the rest at most grocers and superstores nowadays too.

If you really want environmentally friendly, get your own cloth bags and carry them with you.

I choose plastic myself. And yes, we do recycle them.

[Ima saver]

Re: Paper vs plastic

I think they are too small for garbage bags too. I just throw the plastic ones away.

[PrincessPerky]

Re: Paper vs plastic

We use the paper for art, and we would never get a whole grocery bag threee times a day..maybe once..on a bad day.

But then we compost, and hardly ever have much packaging.

Ill ditto that environmentally friendly cloth reusable.

Or what we tend to do is use a box...course we shop at BJs and aldis alot so their is only the box to choose from....

When I was a teen I used my backpack.

[Bookie]

Re: Paper vs plastic

Don't you hate it when "Paper or plastic?" becomes an issue of environmental morality?

I vote plastic because I'm a Joyce Kilmer fan. Plus I use them for lots of things around the house. The public library solicits them as book bags, and the local grocery has a recycle bin where they can be left to be reprocessed into new grocery bags. Theoretically, they could be used indefinitely.

[getforfree]

Re: Paper vs plastic

Don't you hate it when "Paper or plastic?" becomes an issue of environmental morality?

I care less about environmental morality, I more care about if I would have to spend any extra money. I asked at some of the grocery stores if I can get a few cents off for not using any bags, they said now, so I am using them and reusing them. I never throw any plastic bags away unless they dirty.

[lrjohnson]

Re: Paper vs plastic

I reuse both plastic and paper. I try to get a balance of both so I am anot overstocked in either. I do a ton of recycling and use both types to collect.

[mud]

Re: Paper vs plastic

the local albertsons only gives out plastic, while the local trader joes only gives out paper.

I HATE paper bags. They always seem to rip.

[getforfree]

Re: Paper vs plastic

Exactly. Some paper bags will rip if you would put only one heavy item, like a gall of milk or a jar of picles.

[Crystallas]

Re: Paper vs plastic

I reuse both plastic and paper. I try to get a balance of both so I am anot overstocked in either. I do a ton of recycling and use both types to collect.

same here

[nanamom]

Re: Paper vs plastic

I try to remember to always carry cloth bags with me. When my DD was a teen she made me a large cloth bag and told me to save a tree. I still have it and still use it alot. the stores around here recycle plastic bags so I can get rid of those every so often (like when I have a large bag of bags) The paper I keep a few of on hand so that we can use them for crafts stuff.My DH works for a paper mill so I don't work at saving as many trees as I used to!!

[andy'smama]

Re: Paper vs plastic

Paper bags are good for craft projects. I also keep onions in a paper bag after I cut it down and fold over the top (to give it more body). Keeps the onion skins from getting all over the veggie bin. Plastic bags are good for small waste baskets and I always take one along to pick up after the dogs when I take them for their walk.