Hesitations when choosing a bag to store groceries? There are no products that are 100% environmentally friendly; however, there are products with greater or lesser environmental impacts, and above all the decision should be the one that best fits the consumption profile. Are paper bags more sustainable? The truth is that they end up having a greater environmental impact than plastic bags. The reuse factor should always be prioritized.
DECO PROteste conducted a life cycle analysis to identify the environmental impacts of shopping bags made from various materials, considering the entire product life cycle, that is, from the extraction of raw materials and production of the bags, to transport and the end-of-life destination. This study considered data from Portugal, Belgium, Italy and Spain, and was based on the following parameters:
- the materials used in making the bags;
- the incorporation of recycled materials;
- the use of inks and dyes (to print logos, for example, or other reasons that make the bag appealing or promote a brand);
- the way the components were joined (whether glued or sewn, for example);
- whether they are biodegradable or compostable;
- the certifications (eco-label, for example);
- the country of origin of the producer;
- the weight and volume of the bag, among other topics.
The conclusion of the study was clear: there is no “100% eco-friendly” bag. Thus, the most sustainable option is to reuse the same bag as many times as possible, avoiding frequent purchase of new alternatives, avoiding the environmental impacts associated precisely with its production and reducing the environmental footprint linked to everyday shopping. However, if you are a consumer who frequently forgets reusable bags at home, the best option is to buy plastic bags instead of the reusable ones, assuming that you will forget the latter again at home.
