Just a short time ago, China launched a crackdown on plastic bags used in the retail world. So that go me thinking. What does it really take to create those handled plastic bags you get from Wal-Mart or other stores.
Well, did you know that China estimates that the country of 1.3 billion people must refine 5 million tons, or 37 million barrels, of crude oil every year to meet the demands for those plastic bags.
If that estimate is correct, that means China uses as many bags in 4 weeks (one month) than the U.S. uses in a year.
Also, just so you know... Plastic accounts for 4% of the worlds total oil production. WOW!
So, lets see... Paper vs. Plastic...
Paper (Thrown away):
Paper, can be thrown away, or can either be recycled. If you thrown them away and they end up in the landfill, over time it will break down, it will take many years to do this, however it will break down.
Plastic (Thrown away):
Plastic bags can be thrown away or can either be recycled. If you thrown them away and they end up in the landfill it will stay intact for thousands of years, as for plastic does not compost like paper.
Just a few side notes, with plastic in the mix, garbage does not have a chance to break down over time, as for landfills are considered airtight, which explains shy after 20 years you can find a hot dog that is still fully intact and a newspaper with articles clearly legible.
Paper (recycled):
If you use paper bags for your groceries, did you know that one paper bag holds the same volume as 4 plastic bags, wow... That's a great savings right there. Also, you can reuse them as trash can liners and for craft projects. They are also make a great weed barriers and eventually break down and naturally compost.
And if you choose to send your paper bags off to be recycled, here's the low down on that:
First the paper must be returned to pulp and this is done by using different chemicals. These chemicals bleach and spread out the pulp fibers, then those fibers are then run through cleaning and screening sequences that remove any contaminants. The pulp must then be washed to remove ink particles that were removed from the paper by the chemical process.
After the pulp is cleaned, it leaves what is called sludge, this sludge is composed of water, inks, pigments, and small particles of waste. The materials are separated and cleaned, these cleaned materials can be used in bricks, fertilizers and other useful products.
Plastic (recycled):
Plastic is fabulous in that it is recyclable, all that needs to be done is basically re-melt and re-form it. The re-melting process also sterilizes the plastic thus allowing any recycled plastic to be made into hospital grade products. Plastic can be recycled many times before it becomes to brittle to recycle. Please note, NOT ALL plastic bags can be recycled and many stores that collect them, simply send them to the landfill for lack of another alternative.
So, the next time you go to the store, and you are asked Paper or Plastic, based on all the information above, feel confident that you are making a informed decision the next time you hear that question.
Gas is not the only user of oil, so lets start looking at other things also that could help reduce our oil usage.
Well, did you know that China estimates that the country of 1.3 billion people must refine 5 million tons, or 37 million barrels, of crude oil every year to meet the demands for those plastic bags.
If that estimate is correct, that means China uses as many bags in 4 weeks (one month) than the U.S. uses in a year.
Also, just so you know... Plastic accounts for 4% of the worlds total oil production. WOW!
So, lets see... Paper vs. Plastic...
Paper (Thrown away):
Paper, can be thrown away, or can either be recycled. If you thrown them away and they end up in the landfill, over time it will break down, it will take many years to do this, however it will break down.
Plastic (Thrown away):
Plastic bags can be thrown away or can either be recycled. If you thrown them away and they end up in the landfill it will stay intact for thousands of years, as for plastic does not compost like paper.
Just a few side notes, with plastic in the mix, garbage does not have a chance to break down over time, as for landfills are considered airtight, which explains shy after 20 years you can find a hot dog that is still fully intact and a newspaper with articles clearly legible.
Paper (recycled):
If you use paper bags for your groceries, did you know that one paper bag holds the same volume as 4 plastic bags, wow... That's a great savings right there. Also, you can reuse them as trash can liners and for craft projects. They are also make a great weed barriers and eventually break down and naturally compost.
And if you choose to send your paper bags off to be recycled, here's the low down on that:
First the paper must be returned to pulp and this is done by using different chemicals. These chemicals bleach and spread out the pulp fibers, then those fibers are then run through cleaning and screening sequences that remove any contaminants. The pulp must then be washed to remove ink particles that were removed from the paper by the chemical process.
After the pulp is cleaned, it leaves what is called sludge, this sludge is composed of water, inks, pigments, and small particles of waste. The materials are separated and cleaned, these cleaned materials can be used in bricks, fertilizers and other useful products.
Plastic (recycled):
Plastic is fabulous in that it is recyclable, all that needs to be done is basically re-melt and re-form it. The re-melting process also sterilizes the plastic thus allowing any recycled plastic to be made into hospital grade products. Plastic can be recycled many times before it becomes to brittle to recycle. Please note, NOT ALL plastic bags can be recycled and many stores that collect them, simply send them to the landfill for lack of another alternative.
So, the next time you go to the store, and you are asked Paper or Plastic, based on all the information above, feel confident that you are making a informed decision the next time you hear that question.
Gas is not the only user of oil, so lets start looking at other things also that could help reduce our oil usage.
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