environmental impact is also determined by how the bag is used

Paper is made from wood pulp,and when you account for the carbon cost of removing trees from their ecosystems,a single paper bag can be responsible for about 5.5 kg of carbon dioxide.Meanwhile, growing cotton is an extremely energy and water intensive process.The production of a single cotton tote emits an estimated 272 kg of carbon dioxide.When we compare carbon footprints,plastic bags are the clear winner.But environmental impact is also determined by how the bag is used.