Still true - paper is bad from a resource usage point of view where plastic is a pollutant. The problem is weighing up the macro and micro effects over short an

Still true - paper is bad from a resource usage point of view where plastic is a pollutant. The problem is weighing up the macro and micro effects over short and long term time frames, and the only real solution is consume less. Plastics use less resources to produce, but pose a problem in that they will always stay plastic. Paper, cotton, etc use too much water and are often combined with plastic anyway to make them more durable, hygenic and increase shelf life of the packaging. There's one issue with reusable grocery bags no one seems to want to mention. You have to wash them! More water, detergent or worse spray them with potentially carcinogenic anti-bacterials.