Today's world is more eco-sensitive than ever and many people still think that paper bags are a better choice than plastic bags. They aren't.

According to a 2006 report from the US Environmental Protection Agency, paper makes up more than 30 percent of our municipal solid waste. Over 10 billion paper bags are consumed each year in the United States alone. In other words, there are 14 million trees harvested for their production.

When compared to plastic grocery bags, paper bags produce 70 percent more atmospheric emissions, consume 40 percent more energy, generate 80 percent more solid waste, and release up to 94 percent more waterborne wastes (According to the Film and Bag Federation).

This tells us that the energy consumption and pollution that paper bag production and disposal/consumption generates prevents paper bags from becoming an eco-friendly way to stop using plastic grocery bags. So what are the other, more preferable options?

The above information points us in the direction of reusable shopping bags. Reusable shopping bags are really the one true alternative for reducing the negative impact of disposable bags on our environment. With a growing number of manufacturers of these bags there is an increasing variety of availability in terms of sizes and styles. Make a socially and environmentally conscious choice for bag use today.