Spotlight 8

1. Paper VS Plastic
Paper bags vs. plastic bags:
which is really better?

2. We always ask a question when it
comes time to decide what to take
with you to the store: paper or plastic
bag?

3. On the one hand it’s a simple choice, but lets
think about these two different things. Each has
its advantages and disadvantages . Let's look at
what they differ.

4. Paper bags
Paper comes from trees. It
takes about three tons of
wood to get one ton of
paper pulp.

5. Advantages
Paper bags take less time to decompose.
But paper bags for us, in Russia, are not
particularly common, such as in the United
States. So that we cherish our forests.

6. Disadvantages
On the other hand, the paper bags have a
number of drawbacks. The main disadvantage of
the paper due to the fact that it is afraid of
water. Using lamination helps a little.

7. Another and very significant drawback - the
high cost of raw materials and ways to improve
it. If you take it to a recycling center it means
more energy and chemicals are used.

8. According to the magazine “National
Geographic”, in the manufacturing of paper bags
more energy, more water than in the production
of plastic bags are used.

9. According Howstuffworks.com, papermaking
pollutes air 70% more than the production of
plastic bags.

10. Plastic bags
Plastic comes from oil. Everyone of
us uses plastic bags in our everyday
life.

11. Advantages
Advantages of plastic bags are undeniable. They
are cheap to produce, well tolerate humidity,
strong and durable.
Another advantage of the polyethylene to paper
- the possibility of long-term use. Plastic bag,
which served as a time, can be used for a long
time.

12. Disadvantages
Plastic is a very useful material, which is very
important in modern life, but the problem is
that it can lie on the ground or swim in the
water for decades.

13. In fact, in the UK,for example,
they recycle only 1
in 200 plastic bags.

14. Besides , plastic bags cause over 100,000 sea
turtles and other marine animals to die every
year, when animals mistake them for food.

15. Countries where non degradable plastic is
banned
• 2002 - Ireland, Scotland
(United Kingdom)
• 2003 - Singapore,
South Africa,Canada
• 2004 - Australia, Denmark
• 2008 - Egypt, Israel,
China
• 2011 - Switzerland, San Jose (USA)

16. Besides plastic bags, there are also
plastic bottles, containers and
other packages.

17. Some time ago there were very few
plastic bottles, people used to have
glass bottles for milk, lemonade and
other liquids.

18. 15 plastic bags during 1 shopping!

19. Who is the winner then?

20. The best way to carry your shopping and
protect the environment at the same time is to
choose a reusable fabric bag.

21. If we use canvas bags,we can save
at least 6 bags a week.
That’s 24 bags a month.
That’s 288 bags a year.
If 1 out of 5 people will do this, we
would save
1,330,560,000,000 bags over our
lifetime.

22. Reusable Bio bag.

23. Some steps have been already made

24. Every spring and autumn the students of our
school take part in the so-called “ subbotniks”.
We collect the litter and make the territory of
our village cleaner.

25. Conclusions.
• Both plastic and paper bags are harmful for our
environment.
• Paper bags are even more unhealthy than
plastic ones.
• Its preferable to use fabric bags or the so-called
Bio bags.
• We should be smart shoppers.