What is considered more damaging to the environment - paper bags or plastic bags?

Senior Moments

It has been found in the UK that only one per cent of litter is made up of paper or plastic bags. They are now both made of biodegradable and recyclable materials. I think that cigarette butts and disposable nappies are a bigger threat to the environment. Jan 09 04, 11:35 AM

MaggieG 5

Given that paper is ultimately bio degradable and plastic is not, I would guess at plastic. However, as paper comes from trees, I would hope that for every tree they cut down to make their paper with they would plant a tree to replace it, as a great tree loss would be damaging to the environment. The earth would lose its lungs. Is plastic biodegradable then, SM? Jan 09 04, 11:37 AM

Senior Moments

Numerous sites have details on the new plastics such as http://www.azom.com/details.asp?articleID=1337 Jan 09 04, 11:44 AM