Government won’t encourage retailers to use paper bags

"To do so would be counter-productive in terms of direct environmental impact, and would conflict with our objective of phasing out all single-use bags, whether made from plastic or paper," she said.

"While paper bags are derived from a renewable resource, their manufacturing process is resource intensive. Considerable quantities of oil are used, particularly for the extraction of wood pulp."

Ruddock added that paper bags were also heavier than plastic bags and therefore required more energy to transport, resulting in greater carbon emissions.

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