Big Questions: Paper or plastic?

Say you go to the grocery store.

You want to buy a
watermelon. You get in line to
pay. The worker says: “Paper or
plastic?”

Which bag should you choose?

Are Paper Bags Good?

Paper bags are natural. Paper is
made from trees. To make paper,
people cut down trees. Then they
grind them up. 

We don’t want to cut down too

many trees. Trees make oxygen to
breathe. Many animals live in tree
branches. 

We can always plant new trees. But trees take a long time to grow. It
is better to save trees than plant new ones.

Maybe we should not get a paper bag, then. Would plastic be

better?

Plastic Does Not Exist In Nature

Plastic is not made from trees. It is not made from anything in
nature. People make plastic. It is made from chemicals.

We do not have to cut down trees to make plastic. So are plastic

bags better for the planet than paper bags? Not really.
Plastic Makes Sea Creatures Sick
Plastic takes a long time to break down. It can last hundreds of
years. Maybe even thousands of years. 

Plastic is also very light. It blows around in the wind. Many plastic
things end up in the ocean. Sea animals eat the plastic. It makes
them sick.

So, maybe we should not get a plastic bag. What should we do

instead?

Bring Your Own Bag

Some people bring their own bag to
the store. These bags are made from
fabric. You can use them over and
over again.

No trees are cut down. There is no

plastic for animals to eat. Best of all,
you never have to throw it away.

Paper or Plastic Questions

1. Where do paper bags come from? What are they made from?

2. What is one problem with paper bags?

3. What are plastic bags made from?

4. What is one problem with plastic bags?

5. What is another kind of bag besides paper or plastic?

6. What is one good thing about bringing a reusable bag?