Paper Bags?
Answer:
Plain and simple, because plastic is easier to hold and it doesn't tear as easily as paper (especially in the rain). On the bright side cloth bags are better than both. They don't tear and they can be washed and reused. Talk to the manager at your favorite grocery store and ask him if he can start a bring your own bag(s) program. If he isn't willing to you could always do your part and bring your own bag. Maybe others will see you and do the same. You can also join the Bring Your Own Bag Community at http://www.bringyourbag.com/subscribe.ph...
Also do a Bring Your Own Bag search on the Internet and you will find out more information like how bringing your own bag can help reduce the amount of plastic and paper used.
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/01/... . I hope this helps.
I really don't think we can stop it untill these people get a little smarter. I myself use a canvas bag. My wife takes it when we go shopping cause she doesn't want paper or plastic.
If enough people get together and protest or petition against plastic bags in stores it might make a change but the problem is Plastic bags are cheaper to make. That is why you see more plastic bags than paper ones.
Plastic bags are cheaper to buy, and are easier to get than paper >that's why they use them. It's ridiculous! I think only paper bags should be offered to help support our environment and recycling. The only way to really reduce the plastic bag usage is to boycott the stores, or the use of the bags, which no one will do because they don't want to go out of their way or change their routine. My family reuses our paper bags when we go to the store, there's less waste, not to mention you get 2 cents off the total. But, seriously, something needs to be done, if not reusing the bags, then maybe bringing a cloth bag or something. Please help.
#1 plastic bags are being made that are biodegradable, but without proper waste disposal techniques, even organic matter will not degrade very fast.
#2 it isn't the retailer's fault that your city isn't equipped to recycle them, after all, if they were equipped to, they are recyclable.
it would be better to promote a movement to get cities to upgrade their recycle programs to be able to accommodate plastic grocery bags, and better waste handling methods.
The reason plastic bags are used by business is they are very much cheaper to use and require very little storage space in their stockroom. It's strictly economic.
They will not stop using these bags unless they are forced to by local governing bodies. I suggest contacting your city council. It helps if you got a group of people behind you.
Until then, carry a couple of pillowcases to the store with you.
Peace. Love. Recycle.
It's all supply and demand. They wont stop supplying them until everyone decides on a different method. Bring you own bags they now sell at supermarkets, or use paper bags. Most supermarkets have a place where you can recycle used plastic bags if you dont want to part with them.
Compared to paper grocery bags, plastic grocery bags consume 40 percent less energy, generate 80 percent less solid waste, produce 70 percent fewer atmospheric emissions, and release up to 94 percent fewer waterborne wastes, plus they cost one penny each instead of four pennys. On the down side, they take hundreds of years to break down in landfills and as they break down, they cause tiny little toxic bits to seep into our waterways. Get some cloth bags and take them with you to the grocery store. Even if you still need some paper/plastic bags, you'll cut down. Also, if you shop more often, you can buy fresher products and you will only need a couple of cloth bags to bring your groceries home.
Our store does not even offer to ask which you would like. They automatically start bagging plastic unless you ask before they start. I usually go through the "you check it" line and bag my own and use the paper ones. Plastic is cheaper for them to buy and faster to bag so they see it as the faster you bag the more customers you get through the line and the happier they are. I also sometimes use the canvas bags. The store does offer a 3 cent rebate on every bag we bring in that is paper or canvas. Maybe if all stores started doing that we could help cut down on the plastic bags. But then again most people think its a pain to have to bring their own bags. Maybe by you asking this question more people will become aware and start using paper or canvas. We can only hope.
Just like everyone else is mentioning. Plastic is cheaper, space saver, easy to carry, reusable, etc. Besides I don't know about you but when you have loads of groceries paper bags take longer to bring into the house. Plastic is convenient, not very environmentally friendly but convenient.
I think the best solution is to make sure that every city is recycling. In my town, we recycle. I feel every city should recycle but it is up to the people in that town to enforce this. I know not all cities do because it costs more money to recycle than regular trash pick up. Reuse and Recycle.
They offer plastic bags at stores, because that's what people want. For years they asked "Paper or Plastic?" and the majority of the answers were plastic. They gave people what they asked for and will continue to use plastic until people choose not to use them.
You don't have to use plastic bags. Bring a couple canvas bags to use instead. If more people would do this, maybe the retailers would come up with a better alternative.
Don't use them, if possible use paper or bring your own canvas bag.
Alternatively, accept the plastic bags from stores, reuse them, then when they wear out, recycle them.
all of you tree huggers are out of ure mind. if people want to use plastic bags let them use them.
too many people have their minds on their pocketbook than on environmental issues.
plastic bags are cheaper. seem like the only logically reason to me.
the thing that really gets on my nerves is styrofoam. why in the world would people keep making that stuff? on one site i read that it took 2000 years to decompose while on another site it said that the decompostion time was unknown.
i don't use plastic bags anymore & i applaud stores like aldis & ikea who are now charging for bags!! maybe people will use them less!
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