"brooklyn1" > wrote in message
...
> On Sat, 20 Mar 2010 15:26:05 GMT, notbob > wrote:
>
>>On 2010-03-20, gloria.p > wrote:
>>>
>>> I just saw this in a newspaper:
>>>
>>> http://tinyurl.com/yg6alyk
>>>
>>> Any suggestions/solutions?
>>
>>When any good idea comes along, can the alarmists be far behind?
>>
>>Ummm...yeah. Using reusable grocery bags to store rotting road kill,
>>then emptying them long enough to shop for bulk granola or fresh
>>peaches, is probably not such a good idea. Like my late FIL used to
>>say, "Gotta be smarter than the tool".
>
> Modern disposable shopping bags (paper and plastic) are "greener than
> reusables".... disposables consume far less energy to manufacture, can
> actually be reused many times and for many purposes, and are highly
> biodegradable. Laundering bags creates far more pollution and
> consumes far more energy than disposables.


Plastic does not biodegrade at all, they photodegrade and when they do they
release toxic compounds. Plastics are made from oil. Worldwide billions of
bags used every day. Way too many of them make it into the oceans where
they destroy marine life. Laundering bags would create no more pollution
and energy demand unless you wash them individually and not with your
underwear and t-shirts.

Paul