Paper or plastic?

Paper is nice for bagging up newspapers for curbside recycling.

I've never found somewhere that gives you the option............

hmmmm... really don't know...

A dime apiece?! Wow! What store is this Bill? (hope it's one of the big chains).

I re-use them for trash bags

I actually like both. Paper inside the plastic. It makes firm a very durable and strong bag.

We just started bringing last week's paper bags back to the store (for a $0.10 credit, each!) *** - Actually, it's $.05 and it's Wild Harvest.

Some of use like to use both....

Paper when it goes in the back of my pickup so it doesn't roll over. Plastic when I run out of garbage bags at home.

Fine, I know that it is not as environmentally friendly as paper but...it is stronger

Actually I am bisactual. Hehehe.. Okay, okay. bad joke.I like the idea of paper since it is recyclable.. but those plastic bags are much easier when transporting groceries on the city bus and they can be re-used.

Paper, if the clerks give us a choice anymore. Plastic can be recycled and is great when you're scooping out kitty litter boxes. But otherwise, plastic breaks, and all the groceries fall out. Then next time you shop at that store, the clerk tells you the whole chain is trying to get rid of defective plastic bags, and they're double-bagging due to customer complaints, and she's upset about her job, and the company she works for. Episode 3 next week.

Plastic - easier to carry home.

Love these out of the ordinary questions. Shows how much people care for the environment.

I take bags when I know I'll be shopping. When I shop spontaneously (or when I forget), I choose plastic, which I do recycle. I've read a few different reports, all of which suggested plastic was the lower-impact choice, tho' that may have changed now that paper recycling is up.

Plastic, because I reuse the bags for lunch and they have to be waterproof

This really confounds me far more than a less neurotic (read: more sane) person would imagine. I mean- how much energy goes in to the production of each? The plastic ones weigh less, so they require less fuel to move, and I can reuse them many times before they finally fail. But they're plastice, see, and on some level I can't help but want to reduce my consumption of petroleum based products.... but in favor of encouraging more deforestation? And what about when they finally cease to be bags- doesn't paper recycling yeild more product per ton of material than plastic with less waste and less toxicity? But plastic recycling has come a long way and since plastics are here to stay (literally) I'd like to encourage the further development of this technology. In my home, I find more uses for the plastic bags, but my curbside recycling will take the paper ones, meanig a reduction of clutter-induced stress in my life. I try to bring my canvas bags, but I don't always remember,and certainly can't condone DRIVING back home to get them.... arrrrrgggg!!!! I could stand for hours in the line, trying to decide, but that would add a load to the shop resources, a manager would make note of lines getting longer, and eventually larger and larger stores would be built, with more and more check-out lines to accomodate the people frozen in confusion. More open space and soil would be consumed by our ever increasing consumer based existance....

i use paper for trash at home***topper, i know how you feel. when you figure out what to do tell me and i'll do the same

The bring your own bag solution seems best.

Not whatever. It depends.

Since groceries usually aren't very dense, I can carry 3-6 plastics bags in one hand. Can't do that with paper.

Plastic is best for wrapping up dead bodies. Paper is best for killing trees.

I used to bring my own bag when I lived around the corner from where I went shopping, but now I'll discover that I need to get shopping on my way home and it'll be too much of a hassle to stop at home first to get one. My long term solution: move to someplace with a grocery store around the corner again.

For what?

Depends on what I'm buying & whether they give me a choice between paper or plastic. Not all the places I shop at give me this option.

If I'm buying hot deli food, I want paper since it holds in the heat better. Plastic bags don't and they sweat too. Plastic is fine for most other items.

I usually bring my backpack and reusable cotton bags, but places like Wal-Mart don't give you a choice if you don't bring your own bags. All they offer is plastic.