Everyone hears about how bad plastic bags are for the environment, and they are terrible with practically nothing good coming from them. But many people don't realize how awful paper bags are for the environment, too. I didn't even realize this until I started researching the subject. In fact, in some ways, paper bags are actually worse than plastic bags.
Making a paper bag:
- Emits 70% more global warming gases
- Creates 50 times more water pollution
- Uses 4 times more raw materials
- Consumes 3.5 times more energy
On top of this, paper bags are unlikely to be reused since they tear easily and are even meant to be used once. And then, 80% of paper bags end of in landfills where they don't biodegrade because of a lack of oxygen. They cost more to landfill because they take up way more space in the dump than plastic bags.
After I read this information on 1 Bag at a Time, I was flabbergasted at realizing how the only good alternative is to use woven bags that can be used again and again.
If this kind of thing peaks an interest, check out http://www.1bagatatime.com/. There is also a part of the website where it shows how many of the bags they have sold and how it will affect the environment in the future. A cool thing about this part of the site is that it is a live feed that updates every so often.
Check it out if you know what is good for you.......or rather the Earth!
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