Paper or Plastic?

Next to the question of did the egg come before the chicken or vice versa, is paper or plastic? All of us who have ever been to the grocery store have been faced with this dilemma. So which handy carrying device is the best? This place is a neutral site that puts paper and plastic head to head.

As discussed in the article a common myth on the subject is that paper bags degrade faster than the plastic bags, and since only 0.6% are recycled that is much better for our overflowing landfill. But the truth is that over a 40 year period the paper bags don't decompose any faster than the plastic bags and they are three to five times bulkier. You may even own a deck made of wood-polymer lumber. more

Until we start bringing our own bags with us to the grocery store, whether canvas bags or reusing the paper or plastic variety, they'll keep getting sent to the landfill (unless you fall into the elite 0.6%). What incentives do we have to cutback on the amount of bags we use? If our plastic bag covered kitchen isn't enough. I found it interesting that to discourage bag use some countries have made them pricier. The result being a dramatic decline in use.

So take it from me, an expert (I was a bagger at Smith's for one year), reuse your own bags or make it plastic.