Pair comparison
Paper bag vs. plastic bag
One bag
Common belief: paper bags are always more eco-friendly. In reality, paper bag production requires significantly more water and energy.
Dimension-by-dimension comparison
One bag — absolute values
Both items scaled to the same unit (one bag). Lower value = lower environmental impact.
| Dimension | Paper bag | plastic bag | Difference | Lower |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon Emissions | 0.064 kg CO₂e | 0.015 kg CO₂e | +0.049 | item 2 → |
| Water Consumption | 3.8 liters | 0.2 liters | +3.6 | item 2 → |
| Land Use | 0.012 m²·year | 0.0 m²·year | +0.012 | item 2 → |
| Waste | 0.055 kg | 0.008 kg | +0.047 | item 2 → |
| Toxicity | 0.3 µDALY | 0.1 µDALY | +0.2 | item 2 → |
Visual comparison
Carbon Emissions
Paper bag
0.064
plastic bag
0.015
Water Consumption
Paper bag
3.8
plastic bag
0.2
Land Use
Paper bag
0.012
plastic bag
0.0
Waste
Paper bag
0.055
plastic bag
0.008
Toxicity
Paper bag
0.3
plastic bag
0.1
Where do the numbers come from?
Click an item to see the detailed calculation, sources, and confidence rating.