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Category Paper Bag Plastic Bag

The document compares the life cycle assessments of paper bags and plastic bags. Paper bags require more energy to produce but generate less solid waste, while plastic bags require less energy but produce more solid waste and emissions. Specifically, one paper bag uses 1.7 mJ of energy and produces 2.6 kg of solid waste, while two plastic bags of similar carrying capacity use 1.5 mJ of energy but produce 1.1 kg of solid waste.

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22 views

Category Paper Bag Plastic Bag

The document compares the life cycle assessments of paper bags and plastic bags. Paper bags require more energy to produce but generate less solid waste, while plastic bags require less energy but produce more solid waste and emissions. Specifically, one paper bag uses 1.7 mJ of energy and produces 2.6 kg of solid waste, while two plastic bags of similar carrying capacity use 1.5 mJ of energy but produce 1.1 kg of solid waste.

Uploaded by

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Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
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Life Cycle Assessment An example is the issue about Paper bags vs.

Plastic bags Category Paper Bag Plastic Bag

Raw materials

Wood (renewable)

Oil / gas (non-renewable)

Energy to make Solid waste Total emissions to air Global warming equivalents (CO2 equivalents)

1.7 mJ 50 g 2.6 kg

1.5 mJ 14 g 1.1 kg

0.23 kg

0.53 kg

Source: Institute for Lifecycle Energy Analysis, 2004. The table compares one paper bag versus two plastic bags of similar carrying capacity with the assumption of the current recycling rates at that year.

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