This is a question that keeps coming up over and over again. It’s a question that is often asked but seldom answered correctly. The real answer to this question is, it depends on how you use the bags.
Both reusable and plastic bags have advantages and disadvantages for consumers and for the environment. So let’s take a look at both sides of the argument and see which side holds up best.
Plastic bags are less expensive than reusable bags, so consumers save money when they use them. They are also easier to carry around in your purse or pocket, which is why many people choose plastic bags instead of heavier reusable bags.
But plastic bags are made from petroleum, which is a non-renewable resource. Plastic bags can take up to 1,000 years to decompose in a landfill. So not only does it take energy to make plastic bags, but they also take up space in landfills for hundreds of years after you throw them away.
However, this is only true when people use the bags irresponsibly by throwing them on the ground instead of placing them in a trashcan where they belong or by failing to reuse them.
Reusable cloth bags are more expensive than plastic bags, but they last longer and pay for themselves after several uses.
A reusable bag can be used hundreds of times over its lifetime before it wears out and needs to be replaced. Reusable shopping totes are made from natural fibers like cotton are more cost-effective in a long run.