How much does it matter?

Like my classmates, I researched the environmental effects paper and plastic bags have on the Earth. Like them, I came up with basically the same answer. In general, plastic bags have less of an impact on the environment, though reusable bags are superior to both options.

However, I wonder how much these little choices matter. I'm not denying that all the effort doesn't have an effect, but there are other factors to consider too. For example, what are you using your paper, plastic, or reusable bags to take home? Your groceries themselves like that Easy Mac box with individually packaged servings of cheesy goodness, those processed Little Debby snacks that make bleached flour and white rice look like organic foods, and that bunch of bananas that has probably traveled to more countries than you all make their own demands on the environment.

And now that you've chosen how you want to carry these groceries, what are you taking them home in? Your bicycle? Probably not. The vehicle you drive and how much you drive it has a much larger effect on the environment than your bag choice. Actually, how well insulated is that home your going back to? The three biggest factors of your carbon footprint are what you drive, what you eat, and how much energy your house uses. Notice that choosing a reusable bag over plastic and paper is not on the list.

While I don't deny the power of accumulated small choices to help the Earth, I think too much focus has been put on these trivialities. Yes, it is important to do all you can, but there are some areas that will have a much larger impact than others. In other words, bring your own bags when you go shopping, but bring them on your walk to your local farmer's market.

Source: http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/cheap/20041215a2.asp