Shopping Bags - Paper VS Plastic

• An average paper bag takes 2511 BTUs to manufacture, while an average plastic bag takes only 591 BTUs (roplast).
• Because plastic bags are much thinner and lighter than paper bags, it would take seven 45 foot trucks to transport the same amount of paper bags as one 45 foot truck of plastic bags.
• Paper bag production produces 70% more air pollution and 50 times more water pollution than plastic bag production.
• The amount of waste by weight is 400% higher with paper than plastic and the amount of waste by volume is higher by more than 250%.

source (http://www.plasticbageconomics.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=30&Itemid=45)