It’s a complex question to answer. But, basically reusable plastic > reusable cotton > plastic > paper
Comment on Every. Time.
nroth@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
How do we know if these are actually a good thing for the environment? It seems like it’s at least possible the excess waste offsets the benefit.
Telodzrum@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
turtlesareneat@piefed.ca 3 weeks ago
The article briefly mentions this, but having lived in states with plastic bag bans, and states without - well drive through the countryside and count all the plastic bags in ditches, trees, streams. Paper might be more intensive to produce, but the lingering effects of plastic bags are being underestimated I think.
HereIAm@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
I always feel it’s so dishonest comparing the energy requirement between plastic and paper. Yes, paper takes a lot to produce, planting them, machinery for harvest, processing and so on. But energy is practically infinite with solar power. And while alive the trees are working as carbon capture, and when the bag gets thrown on the ground it puts the carbon back into the soil. I wonder how many paperbags have killed fish and turtles compared to plastic ones.
HerbGrower@slrpnk.net 3 weeks ago
I hate paper bags as they are so weak and just can’t reasonably be reused
BlindPenguin@piefed.social 3 weeks ago
Might be worth considering wicker baskets. Ideally from someone who produces them locally. They might also be able to fix them, so they hold up a bit longer. Or make it yourself. Can be a fun project.
Telodzrum@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Yeah, the breakdown in impact doesn’t cover the qualitative difference with the elimination of disposable bags.
danekrae@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
I know it’s obvious, but shouldn’t it be plastic > reusable cotton > single-use plastic > paper
Telodzrum@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Oh, yes. That is more specific and better communicates the list.
rumba@lemmy.zip 3 weeks ago
The shitty little “reusable” bags that wear out after a few uses are def worse than the micron-thin plastic were overall.
My state banned plastic a while back and I will way, i don’t see bags stuck all over the bushes, roadsides and trees anymore so that’s a plus.
I got a dozen or so insulated Wegmans large cooler bags that have lasted 5 years so far. (6 for each car) They’re double-stitched, hardcore zippers no signs of wear. I suspect their realistic lifetime is my and my wife’s death. It’s not like the kids are going to pine over the bags or anything. Now the real question, assuming they’re evergreen (jury is still out) is 25-35 years of waste reduction from a 0.001 disposable plastic bag actually net negative against 12 large textile bags with thick plastic liners, zippers, and insulation?
The bags probably host $200 in total and I’m quite sure I could buy a lifetime supply of disposable plastic bags for $200.
Not seeing plastic bags stuck to a tree every quarter mile feels good. I think reusable is probably the right answer, even if it’s not a huge ecological win.
SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca 3 weeks ago
I used to throw huge bags of bags in recycling. We used to have bags blowing around everywhere. I can see it made a huge difference in my house, but we’re not idiots, you go shopping, you bring a bag and some type of payment for said goods.
panda_abyss@lemmy.ca 3 weeks ago
If you have a readable bag, it uses more plastic than like 100 individual bags, but it produces less waste that floats in the ocean or decays in a landfill.
HerbGrower@slrpnk.net 3 weeks ago
Lived in my house for a few years and bought like 3 plastic bags in that time. We also took a few from my partners family when we moved in so we did start with some.
Stats show a vast drop in how many plastic bags are used just by charging a tiny bit of money for them. Plus by having a cost now it makes sense to make them better.