US Environmental Protection Agency pointed out: Paper bags are not more environmentally friendly than plastic bags

The “white trash” of plastic bags has caused great harm to the natural environment. In many countries, government departments and professionals recommend that people use paper bags. However, the US Environmental Protection Agency pointed out that paper bags are not more environmentally friendly than plastic bags.
The biggest "crime" of plastic bags is that it is made of polyethylene and cannot be biodegraded, and the raw material for the production of paper bags is trees. However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency pointed out that the process of producing paper bags will cause more serious water pollution and air pollution problems, and the recycling of paper bags will also require more energy.
In addition, discarding unused paper bags also takes up more space than plastic bags, and it is as hard to degrade as most things when processed by landfill. According to estimates by the Linya and Paper Association of the United States, 7 billion paper bags were used in the United States in 2003, and disposal of these garbage is also a burden.
On the other hand, plastic bags can be recycled and reused. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, only 5.2% of plastic bags were reused in 2005, while paper bags were only 21%.
It is recycled.