Quote:
Originally Posted by Britannist
And like I said earlier in this thread, the more paper bags are used - the more trees will be needed.
|
And hence more land?
Maybe. But maybe it is not so simple.
From my observations, recycling of paper has increased significantly over my lifetime. (Check out Smith Anderson Packaging and Aylesford newsprint for example). Faster growing softwood trees have been developed. If these trends continue, there is no certainty that more land will be required.
And even if it is, would that be bad. If so, why?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Britannist
There is no point using more land to grow trees to make paper bags when a By-product in petroleum plants (which would otherwise go to waste and which requires no large land area to produce) is available to make plastic bags.
|
Assuming that LDPE isn't used for other products, of course. And there are many.
One final point. As long as we can grow trees we have the basic material to make anything from wood that can be made from wood. At the current rate of consumption, fossil fuels will run out.
And, for the avoidance of doubt, I am not against the use of plastic bags....just their misuse.