Reggie loves it when readers care enough about recycling to respond with questions and comments. Last week, there were two responders—whoo hoo. More chances to discuss the details and facts of recycling, which educates all recyclers.
That’s Reggie’s favorite thing to do.
Both readers pointed out the perception of overall environmental costs for paper bags. Many studies in both industries have followed the paper vs. plastic bag question, from initial manufacture to eventual disposal.
Paper bags are made from a renewable resource, trees grown specifically for commercial purposes. Plastic uses a non-renewable resource, petroleum by-products that come from the extraction of oil. Paper wins on that measure.
Paper is heavier and bulkier to transport to the point of use than plastic, so plastic wins on that measure. Both paper and plastic can be used by consumers for alternate after-sale purposes, with paper actually having more potential life-cycles with the tiniest bit of care.
Finally, when it is time to dispose of each, paper will enhance the recycle stream due to its long fibers, while modern plastic bags always need to go to the trash. Long-time recyclers may recall a time when plastic bags were converted back to usable oil-based products. Reggie regrets to report that those days are long gone. The bag industry, in a move to enhance profits, began introducing bags made from alternate chemical compositions that cannot be re-converted. Another win for paper.
The old adage, “Pay now, or pay later,” applies to the paper/plastic bag question. Paper costs a little more up-front, but in the long run, we all actually pay more for plastic. Reggie chooses to protect the environment by using paper, and to save tax money by sending plastic bags to the trash.
One important point about the potential bag ban is it would only apply to plastic bags at the point of sale. Plastic bags are not going away, only being targeted to things they are ideally suited for like batching produce, holding wet or leaky items, covering the home-delivered newspaper, or protecting your dry cleaning. That should still provide plenty of bags for repurposing by disposing of kitty litter or carrying wet towels home from the beach.
Meanwhile, Reggie encourages all recyclers to watch for news from the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners about the county’s plastic bag ban.
Reggie’s Recycling Review: This is the space for new or updated information about recycling in Washtenaw County. Reggie loves to help you learn all about it.
I have found a large number of whip cream cans. The aerosol is out of them but some are not empty.
Can theses be recycled? It seems like a lot of good metal.
Thanks,
Bill
What? no mention of reusable cloth (or other) bags for point of purchase? why must it be “paper or plastic” at all? bring your own bag!
When I delivered newspapers (long ago, but what’s the diff?), we didn’t use any plastic bags and the papers never got wet!
I agree with Dave. If there was a charge for bags at least at the grocery stores (as it’s done in many parts of Europe), people would be motivated to bring their own.
Sorry for a late response.
First, the answer is yes those aerosol cans can be recycled. All aerosol cans that are empty can be recycled.
The article 2 weeks ago attempted to make it clear that reusable cloth bags were Reggie’s choice and an appropriate one. The preference would be for everyone to have their own bags in spite of the conservative complaints that the bags can hold germs and should not be used.
Thus, this article dealt with the question of brown paper bags being a “better” option than plastic bags, not because Reggie wishes to promote them but because at least the paper can be recycled.
Both of my older kids delivered newspapers for several years and in those days the paper was placed on the porch or another safe area by hand each and every day. Those days are long gone and just throwing the paper is the current operational system….typically tearing the bag so they are soaked in rain and snow storms but alas, it is cheaper than quality paper, people!
You are correct, in Europe the plastic bags at a store cost money, about 40 cents each in Vienna about 2 years ago. However, those are thick, strong LDPE bags that are completely recyclable. More importantly, you can reuse those bags multiple times and they hold together unlike the typical bag found in US stores these days. In truth, Europe is so far ahead of the US in recycling it is embarrassing!
Reggie,Thank you for all the information. I would suggest if you have not taken a tour of the WWRA (Western Washtenaw Recycling Authority) operation you should do so. It is amazing how much product they handle on a daily basis.