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Both have their advantages and disadvantages.

Paper bags are better for the environment because they are biodegradable, but in order to make paper bags, more trees need to be cut down. They are also less convenient to carry if you do not have a car. They also rip easily if something leaks inside them, but that is usually a minor inconvenience.

Plastic bags are easier to carry, but they take hundreds of years to disintegrate; plastic bags can also kill wildlife- plastic stuck on birds' beaks when they forage through trash can melt in the sun and prevent them from eating and breathing. Animals can also choke on plastic bags, if accidentally swallowed.

The compromise: If you have a car, choose paper bags, and after you're done emptying them, save them for garden debris or storing light materials away. If you have to walk to the store, choose plastic bags, but don't throw them away- you can take them with you to use again. An even better idea is to purchase a reusable cloth bag with handles; they are inexpensive, washable, and will not produce any trash. If you're worried about bacteria accumulating from packaged foods such as raw meats, just make sure you wash all your bags between grocery store trips.

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13y ago
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13y ago

I would prefer plastic over paper be cause with plastic you can make more room with plastic than paper

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Q: Which will you prefer most plastic bags or paper bags?
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Continue Learning about Natural Sciences

What can withstand the most weight paper or plastic bags?

paper


Were plastic bags used in World War 2?

no they weren't around then. Paper bags were used, most often brown paper.


Why plastic bags are not good?

Plastic bags are created from fossil fuels, specifically from refined crude oil. They are not biodegradable, so once created they pretty much hang around in the environment breaking into smaller and smaller pieces but never actually being broken down and reused. They are also often found as litter along roadsides and are a major problem in the world's oceans.wrong u out Incidentally, paper bags aren't much better - they are made by cutting down trees. They can be recycled in some areas, but this is relatively uncommon and most people just throw the paper bags away too. A more environmentally friendly option is to use old cloth bags instead - you can bring them to the store with you and use them thousands of times. They can be washed periodically to keep them clean, and when they are completely worn out they are often made of cotton so they will biodegrade.


Why is a paper bag more durable then plastic bags?

Some paper bags might be stronger than plastic. Probably plastic bags are stronger than paper ones, especially in the wet. However, the advantage of paper bags is that they are biodegradable, that is, they break down easily in landfill, and become a useful addition to the soil. Plastic bags take a long time, often years, to break down in landfill. If they end up in waterways and the ocean they are a hazard to marine creatures, who often think they are jellyfish, eat them and die.


How are plastic bags made?

Plastic bags are made from polyurethane and petroleum. The initial making of plastic bags was sometime in the 1950's.

Related questions

What can withstand the most weight paper or plastic bags?

paper


Were plastic bags used in World War 2?

no they weren't around then. Paper bags were used, most often brown paper.


What can you use in place of polythene bags or aluminium foils?

Some substitutes for plastic are starch from corn or wheat, corn syrup, ad even potatos.


Are carry bags recyclable?

Hey dude, from my point of view All plastic carry bags are recyclable, most of the Plastic carry bags manufacturer and supplier companies are produce the biodegradable plastic bags.


Can plastic kitchen trash bags be put in the recycle bin?

Plastic bags can not be recycled. They may be reused, most grocery stores accept clean plastic bags for reuse.


Why plastic bags are not good?

Plastic bags are created from fossil fuels, specifically from refined crude oil. They are not biodegradable, so once created they pretty much hang around in the environment breaking into smaller and smaller pieces but never actually being broken down and reused. They are also often found as litter along roadsides and are a major problem in the world's oceans.wrong u out Incidentally, paper bags aren't much better - they are made by cutting down trees. They can be recycled in some areas, but this is relatively uncommon and most people just throw the paper bags away too. A more environmentally friendly option is to use old cloth bags instead - you can bring them to the store with you and use them thousands of times. They can be washed periodically to keep them clean, and when they are completely worn out they are often made of cotton so they will biodegrade.


Can paper bags be recycled?

No, no! Don't try to recycle any trashbags.You can put recyclables in the blue trash bags, then leave them out on the curb and wait for the recyling to come and pick them up. Go online to find out your neigborhood's recycling times. You can ifnd blue recycling bags at oyur nearest retailer.


Why is a paper bag more durable then plastic bags?

Some paper bags might be stronger than plastic. Probably plastic bags are stronger than paper ones, especially in the wet. However, the advantage of paper bags is that they are biodegradable, that is, they break down easily in landfill, and become a useful addition to the soil. Plastic bags take a long time, often years, to break down in landfill. If they end up in waterways and the ocean they are a hazard to marine creatures, who often think they are jellyfish, eat them and die.


How are plastic bags made?

Plastic bags are made from polyurethane and petroleum. The initial making of plastic bags was sometime in the 1950's.


How To Avoid Using Wholesale Plastic Bags At Your Business?

If you own a retail business, you want to be able to provide your customers with a way to carry their purchases home. Most businesses just give out plastic bags, but these are extremely damaging to the environment. Here are alternatives to using wholesale plastic bags at your businesses. 1. Encourage Customers To Bring Their Own Bags You can reduce the amount of bags that you need to provide by encouraging your customers to bring their own bags to your store. To get more customers to bring their own bags, consider giving your patrons a small discount for each bag that they bring shopping. Most stores that do this offer a five or ten cent discount. 2. Use Paper Bags Instead As plastic bags become illegal in more states and cities, more stores are being forced to stop using plastic bags altogether. Switch to paper bags now, and you will not need to worry about any new laws in your city that forbid plastic bags. 3. Sell Reusable Bags At your check out, you could sell reusable tote bags. Some of your customers will buy these and use them instead of taking one of your bags. You will sell an additional product and save money on bags as well. 4. Use Recycled Plastic Bags If you absolutely must buy plastic bags to give out to your customers, look for bags that are made out of recycled plastic. These are usually only slightly more expensive than traditional wholesale plastic bags. More importantly, they are a lot better for the environment. 5. Set Up A Recycling Station Let customers return used plastic bags to your store. Simply set up a large plastic bin, and instruct customers to deposit clean plastic bags inside of it. If you do not have a recycling center in your area, consider using these bags in your own store. More small, local businesses are doing this to help save both money and the environment.


What is coal packaged in?

Paper bags for the most part.


Which one is better paper bags or plastic bags?

Neither really. You should make the switch to reusable. Often stores will give you a bit of money back for having your own bag. If not possible - it really depends on which you will get the most re-use out of.