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Paper vs. Plastic? Try Cloth! - 09/17/98
Q: Since Kroger opened its new store,
they don't collect plastic bags anymore. Is this another case of no market
value? What became of the bags collected before? How can I get rid of these
bags? At least I am trying not to collect as many bags by declining them
if I'm only purchasing a few items or by asking for paper.
A: Most stores are no longer accepting
plastic bags for recycling because shoppers returned a large amount of
unclean bags that contaminated the plastic. Store managers understandably
did not want to devote staff time toward cleaning used bags. The managers
we have spoken with are largely unaware of how (or if) the collected bags
were recycled. In addition, markets for this and other types of plastics
are weak, since most plastic products are made from "virgin" plastic and
do not contain recycled content.
Declining bags when they are not needed is
a good idea. When deciding on "paper or plastic" many people forget the
"three R's"-- Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Recycling is really the least
important factor to consider.
To Reduce, bring reusable cloth bags whenever
you visit a store. Get in the habit of keeping one in your car or purse.
Bring several for grocery shopping-- many stores offer cash rebates when
you bring your own bag.
Reuse is the next best option, and again cloth
bags can be reused for years. Both paper and plastic bags can also be reused
at the grocery store or as garbage can liners. Use paper bags in craft
projects, as wrapping paper, or as newspaper recycling storage containers.
Plastic grocery and produce bags can be washed and reused for food storage
(keep them right side out as inks may contain toxic materials). Some home
supply catalogs sell plastic bag drying racks, and the Ann Arbor MRF is
offering a "make a bag dryer" craft at its December open house. Use plastic
bags as packaging material instead of styrofoam peanuts, as lunch bags,
or donate them to a dog-walking organization.
There are life-cycle studies comparing the
environmental impact of paper and plastic bags, but these studies are limited
by their assumptions and do not take into account all factors (for example,
if groceries are double-bagged, twice as many bags are used). Cloth bags
are again a life-cycle winner-- they are made from a renewable resource
(cotton), reusable for years, biodegradable, and recyclable. Paper is also
biodegradable, recyclable throughout Washtenaw County, and made from a
renewable resource (trees). Plastic is made from a non-renewable resource
(petroleum) and is not biodegradable. The inks used on paper bags are water-based
and less toxic than those used on plastic. Plastic, however, is lighter,
takes less energy to produce or transport, and takes up less space to store
or in a landfill than paper.
Ann Arbor's
People's Food Cooperative (PFC) was a 1998 winner of both a 1998 Waste
Knot Award and the Excellence
in Waste Reduction and Recycling Award. PFC sells organically grown
cotton bags, and accepts customer's reusable paper bags (as well as egg
cartons and glass milk containers) for reuse. Instead of asking, "paper
or plastic," they ask, "do you need a bag?" This is the question we should
ask ourselves every time we make a purchase.
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