Paper vs. Plastic: Which Is Better for the Environment? — Earth Day

How many times have you been asked "paper or plastic" at the grocery store and wondered which was actually better for the environment? Well, it's kind of a trick question because experts say neither is as sustainable as a reusable bag that you bring to the grocery store every time you shop (preferably one made of a natural material like cotton, rather than a synthetic one). "That is by far the best choice," says Shelie Miller, an associate professor in the School for Environment and Sustainability at the University of Michigan.

But what if you've forgotten your reusable bags at home and absolutely have to make a choice between paper and plastic? Unfortunately, there's not one definitive clear-cut answer — but here's what we know.

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