While sitting at a biology lecture about the respiratory system, our professor tells us how we would eventually pass out if we continually breathed into a paper bag. “Oxygen is darn important for bodily function,” he tells us. Figures.
That part, however, wasn’t as interesting as the preface. Just before, the professor throws out a question, “Which bag should you use to breathe in? Paper or plastic?” Two seconds pass. “Paper! Paper! Always use paper bags!”
That got me thinking. Is paper actually better for the environment? And how much better is it?
According to a piece by the Washington Post, paper bags use 60 percent more energy than a plastic bag to produce. Paper bags also generate 50 percent more air pollution and 70 percent more water pollution than plastic. Even when you recycle, paper uses up 98 percent more BTUs (unit of energy) than plastic.
But, we are urged to use paper bags for a reason, plastic is just as bad. In America, 4 out of 5 bags consumed are plastic adding up to over a 100 billion plastic bags annually. Also, did you know plastic is made out of petroleum? Seven in 10 Americans don’t. In order to produce all our bags, we use over 10 million barrels of oil a year. Plastic bags also contain toxins.
Plastic bags are also not biodegradable and many of them end up as litter. Worldwide, it is estimated that enough bags are scattered each year to circle the earth 63 times when tied together. Furthermore many animals mistake plastic bags as food and it ends up blocking their intestines.
Bags are also plugging up our landfills. Even paper bags can’t biodegrade because they are covered in a layer of soil that prevents them from breaking down.
When you look down the list, both paper and plastic bags harm our environment. So – paper or plastic?
The problem is not necessarily about whether paper or plastic is better for the environment but about overconsumption. Do you know what over 100 billion plastic bags in the U.S. equate to in cost in to retailers? Four billion dollars. That’s 4 billion dollars going to choke marine animals. Four billion dollars burning up as carbon dioxide in our atmosphere.
Legislators are catching the sentiment and Denverites should too. Some cities like San Francisco and Portland already have plastic bag bans in retail stores grossing more than 2 million dollars a year.
Countries all over Asia, Europe and Africa have followed suit. Many cities like Hong Kong and Israel charge for their bags and the best part is that it brings in revenue for government environmental programs. A proposed bill charging 6 cents per bag cropped up earlier this year but was shot down, probably because lawmakers were wary of being the first city to enact such a measure.
Change happens incrementally. The most politically feasible solution would be if individual stores changed their language at the checkout. Instead of “plastic of paper?” It should be “recycled or canvas?” Or “your bags or ours?” Some establishments already have started the dialogue. Whole Foods committed to selling only reusable or recycled paper bags and Vitamin Cottage did away with bags altogether. Perhaps we should follow the lead from stores like Costco and Sam’s Club that have never offered bags, just cardboard boxes.
Furthermore, we as consumers should be more responsible in reciprocating the dialogue. Reusable bags are widespread and cheap. Countless styles make it extremely convenient for us to stow away a reusable bag. Just stick it somewhere handy and above all else – remember to use it.
In most cases, bags are unnecessary, mainly because we have hands. Many women already carry bag-like items. They’re called purses. Men are bestowed with fashionably deep pockets in their pants. What’s the harm of carrying something extra, especially when it’s from the checkout counter to your car?
Ultimately, the answer is quite simple. Paper or plastic? Neither. I’ve got my own.
Mimi Chau is a student at Stanford, who hails from Westminster. EDITOR’S NOTE: This is an online-only column and has not been edited.
