It is easy to overlook the advantages of using polyethylene bags in East Providence, RI due to an incorrect perception that they are not environmentally friendly. While all packaging, both paper and plastic, may have ecological drawbacks, plastic bags are still not bad, They are beneficial to retailers, their consumers, and they can even be beneficial to the environment.

There is much debate over which is more detrimental to the environment, paper bags or polyethylene bags. The truth is, when compared, each has advantages and disadvantages. One of the environmental advantages of polyethylene bags is that they have less mass than paper bags so contribute far less solid waste to landfills and even less when they are recycled. Additionally, the production of paper shopping bags requires more energy than the production of plastic bags. Paper bag manufacturing also results in 70% more air pollution than plastic bag manufacturing.

Retailers should always remind consumers to recycle plastic bags. By recycling, consumers can avoid many of the drawbacks relative to plastic bags. This means less waste in landfills and everyone can profit from their use in a more environmentally sustainable manner.

To find out more about polyethylene bags, contact Atlantic Poly.