Paper or plastic.... does it matter.....

Mexico
February 6, 2013 8:21am CST
Paper or plastic bags... does it really matter to you. Ive never really thought about it, till now. Here in mexico stores now charge for bags. If you bring in your own they wont. So do you want paper or plastic bags? I know some are better than others. The green thing, I guess....
8 people like this
39 responses
@ksktika (271)
• United States
6 Feb 13
sometimes it's hard to decide between paper and plastic bags. there are some advantages and disadvantages. it's depend which side are you. maybe better to use reusable bag, so that means we can use it at anytime and anywhere and ofcourse you're in style. but for this kind of bag, you need to spend some more money to buy it. but it's worth it ! lately, they use cheapest plastic, it might be dangerous for us too. so i prefer to use my own bag, much more cheaper for a long term
2 people like this
• Mexico
7 Feb 13
will be easy now, I wont pay them 5 cents for ever plastic bag... when the brown bags are free.
@911Ricki (13588)
• Canada
6 Feb 13
We ge charged for bags, Walmart doesn't though. I usually get plastic from Walmart to use as garbage bags (so I don't have to buy them), or when I clean the litter pans, or their cages. I know it's not real environmental but it's cheapier for me, and saves me money.
1 person likes this
@911Ricki (13588)
• Canada
7 Feb 13
They don't here, but most big stores do. Walmart use too, but I guess many weren't going to the store. In the city while I was in college they did charge, so I used reuseable, but I try to shop at the stores that don't charge so I get bags, and can use them when I clean their cages, instead of buying bags.
• Mexico
11 Feb 13
here, the small markets on the streets have to charge. As they really dont make alot of money.
• Mexico
7 Feb 13
Here walmart was going to charge 5 cents per bag... After a few days of it, they stopped charging for them. great idea I think .
@JamesKYTan (1605)
• Malaysia
7 Feb 13
In Malaysia we have certain states like Selangor which is controlled by opposition practises no plastic bags on Saturdays. Shoppers have to bring their on recycled bags. However, when shoppers do not bring their own bags they have to pay for it at 20 cents a bag ( US $ 1.00 = RM 1.00 ). In Penang which is also controlled by opposition, where everyday is no plastic day. I bring my own recycle bag. This will help contribute towards a better environment and a better tomorrow.
• Malaysia
8 Feb 13
Oh, I am sorry I am made a mistake. The foreign exchange rate is US $ 1.00 = RM 3.00.
• Mexico
7 Feb 13
Really? we just started the bag thing here last week. So far people dont like it here.
1 person likes this
@airasheila (5454)
• Philippines
7 Feb 13
good day mariaperalta, here in our country, it was already a part of the law and being implemented. people are being prohibited to use plastics. and the government keeps on campaigning for the use of paper bags. hence, the grocery owners and supermarkets are charging an amount if the buyer or customers would still insist to use plastic bags. anyway, either plastics or paper bags, people should observe the proper discipline, hence, it would not really matter if people will avoid using plastic bags if they didn't know how to take care its surroundings.
• Philippines
8 Feb 13
since the usage of plastic has been banned plus it was already a part of the law, so people need to adhere with it. aside from that we are reprimand to use eco-friendly recyclable bags to even avoid to much usage of paper bags.
• Mexico
7 Feb 13
thats good, how do the people feel about it? here so far.. they dont like it..
1 person likes this
• Mexico
11 Feb 13
Its just started here.. I read where the police closed a market here, because the owner refused to go green as they say...
@cecil04 (409)
• South Africa
6 Feb 13
I know that paper bags are good for nature but how am I suppose to carry three paper bags full of groceries to my house. The main reason why my country does not use paper bags is because almost the whole population uses public transport (mostly buses and trains) and we don't have cabs so plastic bags help a lot with their plastic handles. There is a better option of using the reusable fabric bags which are really strong.
1 person likes this
@cecil04 (409)
• South Africa
10 Feb 13
You're a really strong woman mariaperalta I can only to carry three bags at a time .
• Mexico
11 Feb 13
Yep, Im a little girl with a big heart and I can try anything once. Have a great week there...
• Mexico
7 Feb 13
Im the same here, I buy 5 bags of grocerises every 2 weeks. I cant carry those paper sacks home like that.
@Fatcat44 (1141)
• United States
7 Feb 13
I remember reading an article by some professor at some college who did a study on the difference. From what I remember here were the results, 1. The energy going into making paper bags is more damaging to our system than the use of plastic bags. 2. As long as plastic bags are disposed of properly, plastic bags a much more environmental friendly. 3. Cloth bags would have to be used over 1000 times to justify their usage over plastic. If a plastic bag is reused at least once, then plastic bag are way much better. Line garbage pails with them, take lunch to work, and many other uses. My family reuse every plastic bag we get. So from the studies I have read, plastic bags come out the winner. We just need to make sure we reuse them if we can, and dispose them properly. I know the tree huggers do not like these facts.
1 person likes this
@Fatcat44 (1141)
• United States
7 Feb 13
I just get a kick out of what others say. Where are their facts?
• Mexico
7 Feb 13
something like that was the reason I started this. i saw a news report like the one you are talking about here.
1 person likes this
• Mexico
11 Feb 13
they like me, listen to news reports and tv. Most are wrong. But thats life. Take care there.
@chiyosan (30184)
• Philippines
7 Feb 13
Oh many cities has implemented this green approach already. If you do not bring your own, you will have to pay for the plastic bags used for whatever you have bought. the amount of the plastics will be used to supposedly recycle the plastic bags.. that is what they had in the city ordinances. I do not mind bringing my own green bag, disposal or not. If i can help eliminate plastic bags, then that is okay with me. I mean why not help if i can and if i do need a plastic bag for what i bought, i.e meats, 2 liter soft drinks(heavy) i will just either bring it or i would pay for it. its cheap if i do not count all the times i paid for a plastic bag. =P This is okay, a very environmentally concerned approach and let us try to support this as we know that it is for the betterment of our environment by eliminating unnecessary wastes.
1 person likes this
• Mexico
7 Feb 13
I see that now, we just started it here in mexico feb. 1st. Was an idea of our new president here.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
6 Feb 13
There are advantages and disadvantages and for me being green is not the priority because well you can take green too far, i.e. humans are bad and animals should run wild in the streets and kill everybody. I remember when they had paper and there were accidents when the eggs broke or the produce was damp and the bottom of the bag broke out. So when they offered plastic it was wonderful. We could at least get home and have everything intact. Then we could use the plastic to put in our trash, carry gifts to friends and not worry, store things. Then this environmental thing came and for a time, I had to scrape to find plastic bags for my garbage since I used those cloth and bags made from soda bottles for shopping. Luckily my renter left her plastic bags when moving and I did not want to buy special plastic kitchen bags. So I would go for plastic when shopping and only in those stores where they do not charge for them.
• Mexico
6 Feb 13
well said.. I never thought of many of those things. I hate to hurt animals ever....
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
8 Feb 13
Yes even here in the Philippines there are cities and localities that have banned the used of plastic bags. But shops have paper bags in exchange. Now if you want bags made of cloth you have to pay, if not, then bring your own. I actually find this really good because this has significantly lessen the amount of garbage that can clog the drainage and cause floods during rainy season. It may be quite inconvenient to shoppers but what is little convenience if it brings in big and better results to all? So to me paper or plastic... it does really matter a lot because choosing one over the other brings about a big difference in the effect to the whole community or the country at large.
• Mexico
8 Feb 13
very true, another good reason not to use them. We will have to see if people catch on here in mexico.
1 person likes this
@bellis716 (4799)
• United States
8 Feb 13
I try to remember to take my own reusable bags into the store. However, when I forget or buy more stuff than my bags will hold, I ask for plastic. My reasoning is that they are more useful. I use plastic bags as dust covers and to line trash cans. When I accumulate more than I can use, I take them to one of our local thrift shops, who are always happy to get them. I do wish everyone would keep track of their plastic bags. Plastic bags billowing from the top of trees is not attractive. Maybe just switching to paper would be a better solution. At least they are biodegradable.
1 person likes this
• Mexico
8 Feb 13
very true, I use those plastic bags here in my home and cafe. But I wont as much now. As Ive learned how bad they are. Take care there..
1 person likes this
@TheCatLady (4691)
• Israel
7 Feb 13
The problem is without plastic bags what do you do for garbage? I need something to dump the cat litter into, something for wet garbage. I don't like buying garbage bags. It's a waste of money and has the same problems as shopping bags. No?
1 person likes this
@alottodo (3056)
• Australia
7 Feb 13
I know what you mean CatLady! what to do with the rubbish? we can't just dump it in the bin! I try to use news papers and also get some plastic bags when doing my shopping but keep it to a minimum and also all vegies peels go to my garden for compost I still have rubbish to dispose off at the end of the week.
1 person likes this
• Mexico
7 Feb 13
I agree, I use all those plastic ones for trash here every single day...
1 person likes this
@lampar (7584)
• United States
6 Feb 13
I assume it all depend on the type of food and products you want to bag in, if the food is generally heavy, then paper bag most probably can hold up better in containing the weight of those food without tear apart. But if the food you want to bag is wet in nature, then using paper bag may not be a good idea compare to using plastic bag. Even though plastic bag is very unfriendly to our environment, it take century for it to degrade and decompose inside our landfill, plastic bag also pay some useful role in packaging our food and product like mentioned above, it is usually cost less to the store to bag your food using plastic bag compare to using paper bag, that is why some stores require customer to pay for requesting paper bag, they added more to the overhead cost for the store. And you know, plastic bag is normally smaller size and is suitable for bagging just a few items compare to using a paper bag which usually come in much a bigger size that is suitable to bag many items you buy from the store. I usually don't mind to use plastic bag if it allow me to carry my items or food to the house without breaking up at the bottom and hold up, if not, i will use paper bag, unfortunately, it is going to cost me extra $$$ from using it in certain store, which i think is another great way for the store to make extra profit.
1 person likes this
• Mexico
7 Feb 13
your right there.. sometimes here they put the plastic bag outside the brown bag if the bag is to heavy.
@alottodo (3056)
• Australia
7 Feb 13
Plastic is not good for the environment at all! here where I live we have the choice to buy green bags and you can use them for a long time...so when we go shopping we take them with us so we don't use plastic bags very much which is a good thing.
1 person likes this
• Mexico
7 Feb 13
I see that now, I just never knew it was really bad. Take care there...
1 person likes this
@robspeakman (1700)
6 Feb 13
Paper bags are quite pointless for grocery shopping - no strength in them. We are all aware of the damage plastics can do, however if we reuse the bags then this will help to limit the effects. In the UK we have something called "Bags for Life" - these are a thicker plastic bag that is designed to be reused over and over again. Now that all sounds wonderful, but I would imagine that in Mexico you just put bags in a drawer or cupboard and forget about them, just likd we do here
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
6 Feb 13
hi haved you ever had two paper sacks loaded with food and jockying a quad cane somehow tried to walk two blocks and had both bags tear and groceries go all over the sidewalk? now top that with being in ones eighties and not agile and see what the hell exists when you have no car, are on foot and have food sp;illed allover the damned sidewalkl?grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr give me plasti any time as I reuse them over and over and voer.
• Mexico
7 Feb 13
true Rob... but I sure like them in my small trash cans next to each desk in my internet cafe. They are the perfect size in those. Have a super day. Miss you. Catch up to you later on, I hope.
@saundyl (9783)
• Canada
7 Feb 13
I have to get into the habit of taking bags with me shopping - i always forget and over time the cost of bags here adds up (25 cents a bag!) I like taking the cloth reusable bags.
• Mexico
7 Feb 13
I need to as most stores are charging here in mx. I have a closet full of them here.
1 person likes this
@saundyl (9783)
• Canada
8 Feb 13
Most stores are charging here now too.
• Mexico
11 Feb 13
yes here as well now. 5 cents per bag. Seems a little high to me.
@inertia4 (27961)
• United States
8 Feb 13
I have never thought about it either. And the stores here have been doing that for a while now. I had a few of those green bags, but they all fell apart. I still think the plastic bags are better for carrying. I live on the 3rd floor so I need to carry everything up two flights of stairs. And the plastic bags make that easier. If those other bags had zippers, then that would be much better.
@inertia4 (27961)
• United States
10 Feb 13
I still use the plastic bags. Like I said, it works better for me. And it is easier to carry them. I think they need to improve on those bags.
• Mexico
11 Feb 13
same here, I have a closet with hundreds. I like them in the small trash cans in the cafe. Have a great week Steve.
1 person likes this
• Mexico
8 Feb 13
same here, im going to start using the bags her eon sat.
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Feb 13
I'm a person who does a lot for conservation. Plastic is not biodegradable but paper is. You can make plastic re-usable but it won't disintegrate.
1 person likes this
@iuliuxd (4453)
• Romania
6 Feb 13
It doesn`t matter. It is only propaganda to make you pay more money."we have a big problem, but if you pay more money we will be fine "
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
6 Feb 13
Actually, plastic bags and all plastics are a very real problem to the environment and wildlife , sealife and humans. Research it. You can make your own cloth bags very very easily and they are also cheap to buy and durable. Recycle and that will also help. Sure, it is hard to turn things around but it is NOT propoganda. You should research it a bit.
@iuliuxd (4453)
• Romania
6 Feb 13
I used cloth bags all my life, but not because of "environmental problems". I can tell you why i believe it is propaganda : A plastic bag is a "real problem ". A plastic bag + a tax is no problem, you can buy millions of them as long as you pay taxes. After the Kyoto Agreement a new market was invented where the rich people can trade carbon rights. They are selling the air and if you have enough money then you can burn as much fuel as you want.The banks are involved, politicians like Al Gore is involved, everything is about money. So i`m sorry but it doesn`t look like a real problem to me.
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
6 Feb 13
Look at the videos that I posted up in response # 2. I've been reading up on what plastics do for a while now and it IS A REAL problem!! I am sure that the plastic industry is a big money maker and the banks are involved etc. They would probably love to see us continue using plastics. There is no question at all that it is an enviromental issue.
• Indonesia
6 Feb 13
I think a plastic bag is better than the paper bag because it is more durable... how about your opinion?
• Mexico
6 Feb 13
I think the plastic seems to be more helpful to me.. but i read not good for planet.
• Philippines
6 Feb 13
That's exactly my line of thoughts too. They say paper bags are more preferrable because it doesn't cause great damage to the environment. But seriously, when you're shopping and you buy a lot of things, would you rather carry those things in paper bags? That would be tedious because paper bags don't have handle/s and for me it's not durable. Paper bags can't hold bigger and heavier things.
• Mexico
7 Feb 13
your right, but we pay for making things easy in life... every single day.
@blackrusty (3519)
• Mexico
10 Feb 13
ok the scoop on paper or plastic paper will decompose in the landfills plastic takes a very long time to break down so i use the plastic once i get from time to time for trash but yes i have the green thing going on here
• Mexico
10 Feb 13
thats good, Ive just started to do it here as well. Have a great day there....
• Mexico
11 Feb 13
Glad you are here at mylot. Have a great week there.
• Mexico
10 Feb 13
your most welcome and you have a great day as well and yes we do have to do what we can to protect the earth