In the US, approximately 12 million barrels of oil are used each year to produce 30 billion
plastic bags. Such dependence on rapidly depleting fossil fuel is not sustainable. But, manufacturers often boast about how much less water and energy it takes to produce plastic bags than paper bags. With good reason, some of these numbers reflect a startling difference. One
study reported 1,500 plastic bags required 58 gallons of fresh water to produce. 1,000 Paper bags consume an eye popping 1,004 gallons. A larger number of plastic bags were considered to account for capacity per bag. Plastic bags also require 60% less energy to produce than paper bags. But, unlike paper, plastic bags are not biodegradable and can live in a landfill for long periods of time. The most generous estimates state that due to their light weight, decomposition can occur in as little as 10 to twenty years. However, varying conditions such as the amount of oxygen exposure can add years to this estimate. Plastic bags can also pose a threat to land animals and aquatic life. Plastic bags are often ingested by marine life and other animals mistaking them for food. These bags are either choked on or become lodged in their intestines, causing a slow painful death. Lastly, while recycling plastic bags is possible, it is a more difficult process than paper. Plastic bags can become entwined with the gears of recycling trucks necessitating frequent, time consuming maintenance.