# Paper or Plastic? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [August 29, 2001, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-or-plastic/78741 "2001-08-29T16:46:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2001, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-or-plastic/78741/1 "2001-08-29T16:46:26Z")
I’m fairly new here so I hope nobody rips me a fresh one if this has been brought up before. It seems pretty obvious to me that when posed this persistent question at my local A&P, plastic would be the obvious choice. Kills fewer trees, finds a use for already existing petroleum refining by-products, etc. About the only time I get paper is to wrap wine bottles so they won’t break or when I’m on vacation so I will have something to light the fireplace kindling with. I am curious though why bringing your own cloth bag has never caught on here. Seems that would eliminate waste of any kind. ---
**Author:** ![David\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/51bf81/32.png) [@David\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_B)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2001, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-or-plastic/78741/2 "2001-08-29T17:11:31Z")
I don’t know about you, but when I shop, I usually end up filling a grocery cart and THEN some. I wouldn’t just have to carry a cloth bag – I’d need a whole freaking set of luggage! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![kniz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@kniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kniz)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2001, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-or-plastic/78741/3 "2001-08-29T17:19:50Z")
Yeah, and you don’t have to worry about stuff being spilled in the plastic bags. Also there are many uses for them, as for wrapping smelly garbage in or using as a small garbage bag. Someone should offer a prize for the best idea of how to use them and then make the best ideas available. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2001, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-or-plastic/78741/4 "2001-08-29T17:23:03Z")
… but on the other hand, paper is a renewable resource. We have a finite (if huge) amount of fossil fuel to turn into plastic bags and everything else. Plus, you can make all those nifty Martha Stewart decorations with brown paper bags. And hand puppets! ---
**Author:** ![Kamandi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5daacb/32.png) [@Kamandi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamandi)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2001, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-or-plastic/78741/5 "2001-08-29T17:30:31Z")
Good question. I’d like to know the answer too. I used to use plastic, now I use paper. But I still don’t know which one is better. Plastic: 1. Use existing refinery by-products? Dunno about that one. 2. Plastic bags are lighter and take up less space than paper ones - takes less resources to store new ones and ship them to the grocery store. 3. Can be recycled, but usually end up clogging up landfills. 4. I can use 'em as garbage bags. Paper: 5. Made from trees, a (theoretically, at least) renewable resource. 6. Does it take more energy to make a plastic grocery bag or a paper one? 7. Can be recycled, or at least can biodegrade in landfills. 8. The grocery store seems to use more bags when I ask for paper. More double-bagging. And I’ve got no use for them after I’ve removed the groceries. Me: 9. I should really invest in three or four unbleached, organic, earth-friendly hug-a-bunny-today cotton grocery bags. ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2001, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-or-plastic/78741/6 "2001-08-29T17:32:23Z")
Neither. I prefer [arenak](http://www.lexfa.org/text/joht10a.htm). ---
**Author:** ![december](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/838e76/32.png) [@december](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/december)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2001, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-or-plastic/78741/7 "2001-08-29T18:30:32Z")
My kitchen garbage pail is just the right size so that a plastic grocery bag fits in it. I assmue it was designed that way. We double bag and then tie the handles together when it’s full. ---
**Author:** ![scout1222](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@scout1222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scout1222)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2001, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-or-plastic/78741/8 "2001-08-29T18:32:05Z")
> [@](#): > > Me: > > 1. I should really invest in three or four unbleached, organic, earth-friendly hug-a-bunny-today cotton grocery bags. I’ve been thinking the same thing. Anyone know of a good place to get them fairly cheap? In the meantime, I reuse both kinds, for garbage, carrying things around, etc. so I don’t feel too bad. As long as I make it last and I don’t waste them, I figure it’s a good first step. ---
**Author:** ![ChoosyChipsAndCeilingWhacks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c77e96/32.png) [@ChoosyChipsAndCeilingWhacks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChoosyChipsAndCeilingWhacks)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2001, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-or-plastic/78741/9 "2001-08-29T18:47:05Z")
I need the plastic ones to pick up dog poo. So that’s what I ask for. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![The\_Great\_Gazoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/67e7ee/32.png) [@The\_Great\_Gazoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Great_Gazoo)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2001, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-or-plastic/78741/10 "2001-08-29T20:09:34Z")
1. Plastic is just as recyclable as paper. 2. If for some reason, it wasn’t recycled, it takes up less space in the landfill. 3. Handles! Handles! Handles!!! The Great Gazoo almost always carries a Art Institute or MCA tote bag! The Great Gazoo always has to yell many times “I don’t need a bag!” to the idiot baggers. The Great Gazoo is tired of it all and may just stop eating. The Great Gazoo seldom impulse shops at Treasure Island because they don’t have plastic bags, only paper. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Great\_Gazoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/67e7ee/32.png) [@The\_Great\_Gazoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Great_Gazoo)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2001, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-or-plastic/78741/11 "2001-08-29T20:11:20Z")
The Great Gazoo sounds like Bob Dole!! Maybe I need some Viagra. ---
**Author:** ![Kamandi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5daacb/32.png) [@Kamandi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamandi)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2001, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-or-plastic/78741/12 "2001-08-29T22:08:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by The Great Gazoo \* > **The Great Gazoo always has to yell many times “I don’t need a bag!” to the idiot baggers.** Great idea, which I use all the time. If you’re only picking up one or two items, do you really need a bag at all? Keep your receipt in hand if you’re worried about being jumped by the grocery cops. ---
**Author:** ![Swede\_Hollow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3bc359/32.png) [@Swede\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swede_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2001, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-or-plastic/78741/13 "2001-08-29T22:08:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by The Great Gazoo \* > \*\*1. Plastic is just as recyclable as paper. > 2. If for some reason, it wasn’t recycled, it takes up less space in the landfill. > 3. Handles! Handles! Handles!!! > > The Great Gazoo almost always carries a Art Institute or MCA tote bag! > > The Great Gazoo always has to yell many times “I don’t need a bag!” to the idiot baggers. > > The Great Gazoo is tired of it all and may just stop eating. > > The Great Gazoo seldom impulse shops at Treasure Island because they don’t have plastic bags, only paper. \*\* Plastic bags are not accepted for recycling around here, but paper bags are great for filling up with other recyclables for our curb-side recycling collection. Also, many stores around here have paper bags with handles. If I’m not getting a lot of stuff I ask them to not put it in a bag, but many clerks don’t seem to understand the concept of not needing a bag. A couple 2-liter bottles of cola is not that difficult to carry out to the car. ---
**Author:** ![Milossarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Milossarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Milossarian)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2001, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-or-plastic/78741/14 "2001-08-30T04:08:17Z")
[Would you like to drive up for that?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=22966) ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2001, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-or-plastic/78741/15 "2001-08-30T10:25:21Z")
Everything goes in my saddlebags, or in my bike cart. Yup, that’s right, I bring my own cart to the grocery store. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2001, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-or-plastic/78741/16 "2001-08-30T12:05:40Z")
I always get paper bags. They hold more stuff(plastic bags are small and flimsy, and most stores I go to double up) and they don’t roll around in my back seat and spill my stuff out. Then I use the bags as trash bags. Minor rant. Grocery stores seem to waaay to liberal in their use of bags. I always have to tell them to _fill those puppies up!!_ Sometimes I feel that if I didn’t say anything, each item purchased would get it’s own bag! ---
**Author:** ![The\_Great\_Gazoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/67e7ee/32.png) [@The\_Great\_Gazoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Great_Gazoo)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2001, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-or-plastic/78741/17 "2001-08-30T18:18:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Swede Hollow \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by The Great Gazoo \* > > \*\*1. Plastic is just as recyclable as paper. > > 2. If for some reason, it wasn’t recycled, it takes up less space in the landfill. > > 3. Handles! Handles! Handles!!! > > > > The Great Gazoo almost always carries a Art Institute or MCA tote bag! > > > > The Great Gazoo always has to yell many times “I don’t need a bag!” to the idiot baggers. > > > > The Great Gazoo is tired of it all and may just stop eating. > > > > The Great Gazoo seldom impulse shops at Treasure Island because they don’t have plastic bags, only paper. \*\* > > Plastic bags are not accepted for recycling around here, but paper bags are great for filling up with other recyclables for our curb-side recycling collection. Also, many stores around here have paper bags with handles. > > If I’m not getting a lot of stuff I ask them to not put it in a bag, but many clerks don’t seem to understand the concept of not needing a bag. A couple 2-liter bottles of cola is not that difficult to carry out to the car. \*\* In the great city of Chicago, Illinois we have the blue bag program for recycling. You put your recyclables in a blue bag and put them in the garbage. They do recycle some of it, but whether any of my stuff gets recycled, I don’t know. Having the tote bag, I have reduced my number of blue bag trips to the garbage can by 30% or so. It’s amazing at how many bags you accumulate if you take them all the time. I always tell the bagger “I don’t want any bags - I’m the one who has to carry out the garbage” - they seem to understand that. My garbage is getting close to Ed Begley, Jr. levels - I have only 1 small bag or actual garbage per month. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2001, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-or-plastic/78741/18 "2001-08-30T19:14:50Z")
Good points, all. When I listed “finds a use for already existing petroleum refining by-products”, I meant that no oil company’s going to drill a well because we’re running out of plastic bags. Maybe I’m wrong but my understanding is that gasoline/diesel/heating oil are usually the primary items sought from hydrocarbons and plastics are produced as byproducts of that refining process. I too am bummed my recycler won’t take them. Hopefully they do now contain some agent that helps them break down faster in our landfills. Regretably, I heard the other day on NPR that plastic forks are so overengineered they’ll last for 10,000 years in a dump. Hell, maybe Taylor, Cornelius and Dr. Zeius can use them someday. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2001, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-or-plastic/78741/19 "2001-08-30T19:24:39Z")
My gosh, does nobody else remember that [the Master has already spoken](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/001222.html) on this subject? ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2001, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-or-plastic/78741/20 "2001-08-30T23:40:57Z")
im like barbarian. i shop with my saddle bags (plug for Chase-Harper and thier fine motorcycle accessorys) this works well, as you always know when to stop shopping, being limited by what you can haul home. when i drive the car, i like paper. it feels good, now has handles, burns well and is reuseable for lots of other stuff, including nice hats. they also seem to hold more. what i dont like about plastic bags are that you seem to amass large quantitys in a very short time, but i guess you can’t blame them for that.