The UK environment agency carried out a study to find out how many times a bag needed to be used to have a lower ‘global warming potential’ than a single-use plastic bag.
The study found paper bags needed to be re-used at least three times, one fewer than plastic bags for life (four times).
At the other end of the spectrum, the Environment Agency found that cotton bags required the most number of reuses, at 131.
But even if a paper bag requires the fewest reuses there is a practical consideration: will it last long enough to survive at least three trips to the supermarket?
Paper bags are not as durable as bags for life, being more likely to split or tear, especially if they get wet.
On the other hand, Cotton bags, despite being the most carbon-intensive to manufacture, are the most durable and will have a much longer life.
So how can you reduce your impact when it comes to shopping and produce bags?
Margaret Bates, professor of sustainable waste management at Northampton University says; ‘the key to reducing the impact of all carrier bags – no matter what they are made of – is to reuse them as much as possible’.