Choose grocery bags in climate church – Watt?

Spiritually, few modern rituals are more than standing on the checkout counter, staring into the cashier's eyes and proclaiming, “No bag, thank you. I brought my own.” This is the moment of environmental piety – the reusable tote bag is piously pressed against the chest, cotton fibers woven, and the smugness of the 149 plastic bags used (but it turns out that it may still be made). The problem is that like all good sermons, the gospel of grocery bags is full of contradictions, warnings and a lot of carbon.

The New York Times was preparing to preach the belief in “climate responsibility” and recently published an article titled “What shopping bags should I use? ” This is a fascinating reading, not because it provides clarity, but because it proves the complexity of an eco-wedding. Spoiler Alert: You can't win. But you can Feel Just like you are winning, maybe that's the point.

Let's start with the usual demon on the bench: plastic. We were told that plastic bags are egg spawning of fossil fuels and therefore must be exiled. Their recycling rate is 10%, and afterlife usually involves floating on the nose of a turtle or breaking into confetti-sized microplastics that have plagued us for centuries. But it's a twist – not a but two The article cites research (from the UK Environment Agency and the Environmental Protection Agency in Denmark) that these evil plastic bags actually have Minimum The environmental footprint of the batch is judged by greenhouse gas emissions.

So how did they become the number one public enemy? Simple. them look Bad. They are fragile, wrinkled, and related to others No Bring your own bag to Trader Joe's.

Then there is the paper – renewable, biodegradable, and as strong as wet tissue paper, it is prone to tear up a lot in the parking lot as your oat milk rests for it. Of course, is this the choice to become a sanctify? Not exactly. According to the same UK study, paper bags need to be reused three times to match the global warming impact of individual plastic bags. For anyone who once had a wet paper bag exploded in the rain, this is optimistic about delusional optimism.

Still, paper is better for PR. It has a 43% recovery rate, although it still means that most paper bags end up breaking down methane and carbon dioxide from landfills into carbon dioxide. For those who keep the theological ratings, methane is one of the top demons in the Greenhouse Gas Pantheon. Yes: Although plastic may just be Sit therePaper Active fart In the afterlife.

Then we arrive at the High Priest of the Environmental Virtue: a reusable tote bag. These cotton-like hadiths of consumer conscience are everywhere – held in conferences, weddings, political gatherings, yoga studios. Everyone was whispering, “You are a good person.” But as always, it was inconvenient. Research in the UK concluded that marshmallows need to be reused 131 times before they can match plastic bags. Denmark's research says 149. Assumptions You used them more than once instead of stuffing them into the growing canvas under the sink.

This raises the question: Are we really trying to save the earth, or are we auditioning just for the saints?

Dr. Samantha MacBride of Baruke Academy provides clues. She noted that plastic bags “permanently make the fossil fuel industry” and that “if we have a future, the system needs to be retracted.” Ah, right there. The problem is not just emissions or landfills. It is Symbolism. Plastic is the original sin. Paper is purgatory. and tote bags – Well, they are your chance to redemption as long as you repent and reuse until your shoulders emanate.

Even the “bottom line” of the article is a master class in hedging. “The expert agrees to repeat [your bag] As many times as possible are the key. ” So after thousands of words, we made a heavy word: unless you have too much stuff, in this case, don’t use plastic.

Virtue Signals proved to be a full-time job.

But maybe this is the true story here, not science, it is fragile and contradictory, but Performance. Climate consumerism does not require results; it requires gestures. As long as you mean. It's not about solving the problem; it's about loyalty.

Because if the numbers matter, we will mass-produce low-density polyethylene bags and set up an effective return procedure. But this will be Actualpracticality is not trending on Instagram.

Finally, we leave a strange theological message: the road to environmental paradise is filled with good intentions, reinforced stitches and solid self-righteousness. And, if you can't save the planet, at least make sure your bag says you tried it.

Stay tuned for the next sermon: Compostable dog bags – miracle or methane-irritating indulgence?

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