Title: TASK: Thinking outside the bag - paper or plastic?
Course: GG 22/23 Leuphana-Copy > Section: 2.1 Plastic // Recycle

In their efforts to combat the water pollution with microplastics, many localities across the U.S. and Europe  are limiting or banning the use of plastic shopping bags. (You will learn more about this in the next activity.) Public perception has it that paper bags are a viable alternative to plastic bags. In fact, whether you live in Germany or the U.S., you have probably noticed that many shops and businesses today give customers the option to choose between paper and plastic bags. Faced with this choice, some customers demonize plastic bags and opt for their paper counterparts. Others don't think too much about  the issue or have their own solution.

What are you doing?

- Think about the following questions for yourself first and answer the related choices.
  - How I transport my groceries after shopping: When you go shopping, what do you use to transport your groceries? Do you prefer paper or plastic bags given out at the shop?
  - What I consider more sustainable: What do you think is more 'sustainable' -- paper or plastic bags?
- Find out what the science behind the paper-or-plastic question is: Read the two texts below and identify the aspects mentioned by the authors that consumers need to consider when making an informed decision about which bags to use. Summarize your findings for yourself.
- Think again about the initial questions and discuss your personal decision in the forum Sustainable ways to transport groceries:

  - Which one is more sustainable -- paper or plastic bags?
  - Would you reconsider your consumer choice (paper or plastic bag) in light of your findings? Why, or why not?
  - What other options can you think of or do you practice?
- Summarize the discussion in an info-graphic.
- Upload your poster (max. 2 MB) into the DATABASE: Learner texts.
 (You can submit a PDF or JPEG version of your digital poster or a photograph of your poster.)

[fa-files-o] Materials and resources:

Text
Teach About US Blog: Think Outside the Bag: Paper or Plastic?

Text
sustainable nano: Paper or plastic: Sustainability is a multi-dimensional problem