Are waxed paper sandwich bags still generally available?
Are they more or less environmentally friendly than plastic sandwich bags?
Available? Yes.
Generally Available? I’d say no based on personal experience and a web search or two. http://store.southlandpaper.com/wapasabag.html
A quick search on the Internet shows that wax paper is biodegradable (preferably bleached).
My mom used to wrap my sandwiches in sheets of wax paper. They always seemed to taste better than when she put them in baggies. 
I occasionally pick these up at the grocery store…Natural Value unbleached wax paper sandwich bags. If I’m out of them & ziploc bags, I use parchment paper to wrap sandwiches up. In trying to find a link to put in this reply, though, I ran across a blog that said wax paper bags aren’t good because the wax is petroleum based, rendering the paper non-recyclable. I have no idea whether that’s true or not.
And, a little more digging reveals that it is a paraffin wax. It is biodegradable and can be composted, but not recycled. My vote is for more environmentally friendly than plastic baggies. (Although reusable containers not made out of plastic would probably be an even better choice…our most-used food-toting containers are Mason jars, available at grocery stores and thrift stores).
Baggies and Saran wrap can both impart a nasty taste to food, I’ve found. Especially the latter. So wax paper letting food taste better doesn’t surprise me too much.
The question of availability has been answered, but as to the environmental impact, nothing is ever simple. Sure, the waxed paper ones are biodegradable, but what about the manufacturing process? Does it take more energy/processing (pulping, bleaching, coating) to make waxed paper than it does to pop out a plastic bag? It’s the good ol’ paper or plastic debate again (which I’m not touching, thanks).
Here’s a reusable sandwich carrier so that we can get rid of the paper and the plastic!
I ordered one. Actually, I ordered three – two members of my staff also bring a sandwich for lunch every day.
Oooh, let me know how you all like them. I’ve heard good things about these and I think I’m going to order some for when my son starts school in the fall.
They’re probably more expensive, but Tupperware also makes a sandwich keeper.