You might have noticed that CAW is not overtly fond of plastic bags. Still, why are they singled out as 'problem product'?

There have been myriad studies on the environmental impacts of both paper and plastic bags. Reusable bags almost always come out ahead, and while several studies say plastic is second best, many enviros contend those studies and eschew plastic.

There are many reasons for this – plastic bags usually don't contain recycled content and have a low recycling rate. The biggest concern, though, is that they tend to be highly litter-prone and these environmental assessments often don't consider the wildlife threat. The most minor of winds can transport a plastic bag over long distances, a technology age version of the tumbleweed. Many plastic bags eventually end up in waterways and are transported out to sea.

Marine researchers are increasingly concerned by the presence of plastic in the ocean. Bags are especially dangerous to turtles, who mistake the nebulous film for a favorite food, jellyfish. Additives in plastic can also enter the marine environment, and the toxins can begin to affect animals in the food chain. In addition, due to its molecular structure, plastic takes hundred of years to decompose. A paper bag, if littered, will not cause near so many problems

This is not to say that paper is great, either – it has high air and water emissions, takes up lots of landfill space, and requires trees for manufacture. In the end, neither paper nor plastic is the optimal choice, and one should instead use reusable bags for groceries, clothes, and even take-out food when possible. So next time you go to the store, bring your own bag.

A version of this text appears in the July/August 2006 Ukiah Natural Foods Co-op newsletter (note it's a 3MB PDF).

• CAW Plastic Bag Site
• Bag Facts
• How Do I Get a Reusable Bag?
• The Co-Op List
• Further Reading
• Recycling Locations