TABLE OF ADVANTAGES

As the table below shows, plastic bags are far more reusable than paper bags. Reuse is better than recycling because reuse involves zero energy consumption, zero emissions, and zero cost. Reusability is perhaps the most underappreciated feature of plastic bags.   Click here for a table of the major environmental advantages of plastic over paper, including:  less nonrenewable energy consumption less consumption of water less emission of greenhouse gases less acid rain less ground level ozone formation less dissolving of oxygen-depleting nutrients in water bodies less solid waste production    FEATURE PLASTIC GROCERY BAG  PAPER GROCERY BAG Lightweight YES NO Waterproof YES NO Handles YES YES Flexible YES NO Will not rip or tear YES NO Cheap for retailers to buy from suppliers YES NO Recyclable YES YES Squash a dozen in glove compartment for reuse YES NO Squash a dozen under the sink for reuse YES NO Reuse as bin liners YES NO Reuse to dispose of cat litter - ask a cat owner YES NO Reuse to dispose of dog poop - ask a dog owner YES NO Reuse to wrap food scraps to throw in the trash YES Possibly Reuse to wrap food in freezer YES NO Reuse as container for snacks or lunch YES NO Reuse to wrap soiled diapers to throw in trash YES NO Reuse as container for muddy boots/shoes YES NO Reuse as container for items in suitcase YES NO Reuse as container for laundry when traveling YES  NO Reuse as container for wet umbrella YES  NO Reuse as container for discarded newspapers YES  YES Attracts roaches NO!  YES

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