Thousands of tons of plastic are dumped into the soil all around the world, depleting the quality of soil and air. A considerable amount of plastic waste comes from plastic bags used around the market, such as grocery stores, shopping stores, etc. many cities, countries have even banned the use of plastic carry bags to prevent plastic pollution in the environment. To replace the use of plastic bags and improve soil degradation, many manufacturers have launched paper shopping bags. But the question arises whether paper shopping bags are really better for the environment. Although there are no firm answers to this question, let us discuss paper and plastic shopping bags and their impact on the environment:
1. Paper Shopping Bags
Compared to plastic bags, paper shopping bags are a sustainable option as they can be recycled and reused. This is because, unlike plastic bags, paper is biodegradable and can also be used for composting. However, manufacturing a paper shopping bag requires a lot of energy and resources. Considering the fact that plastic bags neutralize their environmental impacts, they are the preferred choice for retail store owners to pack their products. The paper consumed in making paper shopping bags can be quickly recovered by recycling and reusing it for producing newspapers and other items. Manufacturers also mix the paper with other synthetic materials to make the paper shopping bags stronger and more durable.
2. Plastic Shopping Bags
The prominent reason why individuals invest in plastic shopping bags is that their production causes the lowest environmental toll. They are more sturdy and conveniently reusable as compared to paper shopping bags. High-density polythene is used to make plastic bags. Although the production of these bags does cause harm to the environment and does not demand many resources, their degradation does. It is difficult or nearly impossible to recycle plastic bags as they get stuck in the recycling machines. Due to this, plastic shopping bags are dumped in the soil, causing a greater threat to the environment. Since the non-biodegradable plastic bags end up becoming litter filling up the landfills, they endanger not only the environment but its living beings as well. The stray animals, marine life, air, farmlands, and whatnot get polluted since there is no way to recycle plastic.
Things to consider while investing in shopping bags for your retail store:
Although there is a massive upfront cost involved with paper or reusable shopping bags, they do not pose any adverse effects after being used. Think about the capital and efforts it will take to arrange a dumping site that collects all the plastic waste from all around the world. The long-term cost and efforts involved with using plastic bags are considerably high, which is why individuals are increasingly getting inclined towards using environmentally friendly paper shopping bags.
If you are a retail store owner looking to invest in bulk custom shopping bags made up of sustainable material, get in touch with a reputable online supplier to place your order.
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