Plastics 101 | National Geographic

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  • Опубліковано 31 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 367

  • @NatGeo
    @NatGeo  6 років тому +159

    Most of the world uses plastic every single day, and its history is quite expansive. What are your thoughts on how it's made and used throughout the world?

    • @budihendrawan1093
      @budihendrawan1093 6 років тому +6

      National Geographic in the country where i live, we started to give charges on plstic bags, and some people now uses cardboard, but i think it would be better if we can start using plastic made from biodegradeable materials though...

    • @Noah-le2sm
      @Noah-le2sm 6 років тому +3

      National Geographic Gaming companies keep making plastic game cases even though everything is also sold digital.

    • @ansonang7810
      @ansonang7810 6 років тому +3

      Plastics bags are around 10 to 20 times cheaper in our country, lighter than paperbags 30:1, water proof for wet products like fish , more durable because of flexibility compared to paper bags, weather resistant like rain, last almost forever like 10years its still usable as long as its not exposed to sunlight.
      tough and flexible like metal, weather resistant like copper, light like liquid gas, cheap like salt.
      laws our implemented in our country and cities are banning plastic yet consumers and sellers are resisting still using plastic bags because its cheaper , water proof, durable, lighter.
      So it would take a very long time to see a world with very less plastics.
      Hope people invent something like plastic but biodegradable and cheaper to make plastic obsolete.

    • @mostofali5532
      @mostofali5532 4 роки тому +1

      I know is plastic is so so so big problem in our world.
      we must dont useing it

    • @saiyanwarrior3895
      @saiyanwarrior3895 Рік тому

      just keep recycle plastic everyone it not that hard

  • @AzlianaLyana
    @AzlianaLyana 6 років тому +309

    Finally, a possible answer to biodegrading plastics through mealworms and certain microbes. This is great news. Also, it may not seem much from a single person, but I do believe if we all started to be selective of the types of plastics we use, we can make a difference. Thanks for sharing National Geographic.

    • @NatGeo
      @NatGeo  6 років тому +54

      It's wonderful that organisms such as mealworms can help break down plastic naturally. Combined with a conscious effort to reduce and recycle plastic, we may be on our way to a world with less waste!

    • @goosty17
      @goosty17 6 років тому +9

      Or just use less plastics....?

    • @ali------8649
      @ali------8649 6 років тому +10

      Mealworms are not the answer, harvesting enough mealworms to breakdown the amount of plastics we use is massive! We need to stop using single use plastics, that is the only thing that will have a major impact.

    • @_graiderz2462
      @_graiderz2462 5 років тому +1

      @@ali------8649 how am i suppose to carry my fishes then?

    • @11Elma02
      @11Elma02 5 років тому +2

      @@goosty17 or just make less plastic.

  • @joeljuaneza8096
    @joeljuaneza8096 4 роки тому +152

    Now i know where my friends came from, thanks a lot.

  • @NewMessage
    @NewMessage 6 років тому +201

    Well.. that explains why my mealworms keep escaping the styrofoam container I keep them in. Sheesh.

    • @beccaaa000
      @beccaaa000 6 років тому +5

      New Message lol

    • @jaridkeen123
      @jaridkeen123 6 років тому +2

      Lol

    • @alttears8844
      @alttears8844 6 років тому +2

      Im like that smart kid in the captain underpants movie/books. Melvin sneedly is his name? Eh '' i dont get it... Whats so funny''

    • @audreyperry8295
      @audreyperry8295 5 років тому +3

      lol:D

    • @xx_cherryyy4466
      @xx_cherryyy4466 4 роки тому

      Long Hei Adrian YIU I think u buy them to feed meerkats and stuff

  • @jaridkeen123
    @jaridkeen123 6 років тому +32

    Make plastic bags, cups, straws, lids, and bottles illegal. We can make aluminium cans and they can be recycled forever. You can't reuse plastic over and over. You can only recycle plastic a few times

    • @laurieestrel9301
      @laurieestrel9301 5 років тому +4

      They are too slow we need to all limit our waste by ourself!

    • @lester3917
      @lester3917 3 роки тому +1

      @@laurieestrel9301 Yeah sure tell that to the masses

    • @BenDover-ul1gy
      @BenDover-ul1gy 3 роки тому

      @@lester3917 Maybe instead of telling others what to do we can focus on ourselves, I think that is what the commenter intended.

    • @lester3917
      @lester3917 3 роки тому

      @@BenDover-ul1gy I agree

    • @annaflowers91
      @annaflowers91 2 роки тому

      Not aluminium, though.

  • @artfx9
    @artfx9 6 років тому +197

    Its all about money. We need to tax single use plastics globally so the degradable alternatives become the cheeper option.

    • @FalconFastest123
      @FalconFastest123 6 років тому +12

      Punishment taxes reduce freedom and are ineffecient. A better solution is to incentivize research and development of cheaper biodegradable plastics and/or bio-engineered microbes to consume the non-biodegradable plastics.

    • @brunobishop8499
      @brunobishop8499 5 років тому +3

      We only have a 5 cent tax on plastic bags, that needs to be increased. If plastic bags cost $2 per bag, more people would remember reusable bags or just use the cart as intended and load their groceries in the car instead of carrying it all out.

    • @464528
      @464528 4 роки тому

      Only very rich countries would be able to pay that tax.

    • @vIBEDoUT-Channel
      @vIBEDoUT-Channel 4 роки тому +2

      Money isn't meant to exist

  • @AnimalsAndReports
    @AnimalsAndReports 6 років тому +101

    If we only thought of all the negatives before positives
    Plastic would be unheard of today
    Sometimes optimism is deadly if not also considering pessimistic results ✳

    • @bhoomijainvlogs
      @bhoomijainvlogs 4 роки тому +1

      Chop useless for getting like writing so long

    • @klikitzsmith8416
      @klikitzsmith8416 4 роки тому +2

      To be fair how could early plastic manufacturers forsee this???

    • @ACupOfChats
      @ACupOfChats 4 роки тому

      Yeh

    • @klikitzsmith8416
      @klikitzsmith8416 3 роки тому +1

      @Joshua Uduma Its like inventing fire to cook and heat, who would have known global warming back then

    • @nelli0t
      @nelli0t 3 роки тому +2

      @@klikitzsmith8416 those blasted tribes and their plastic balls, how dare them not predict this outcome!!! 😡

  • @danielbarbosa3
    @danielbarbosa3 6 років тому +3

    You should make a video focusing on the impact of plastics on Earth; how many bottles are sold per second (about 20 000 if I'm not mistaken), how different could it be if we at least recycled the abusive amount we use, about companies creating new plastic for transparent bottles and other objects (because using recycled ones doesn't give such 'pretty' bottles and cans) and how making bottles from 100% recycled plastic would be hugely compensating... Etc ...
    Please consider doing a powerfull video that will have (some) people thinking about what we're doing to our Mother Earth.
    Thank you

  • @ronnienagy1901
    @ronnienagy1901 4 роки тому +3

    Keep our planet earth nice and clean. ♻️🌍🙏

    • @OpheWophy
      @OpheWophy 4 роки тому

      Yes keep it clean form carona and the plastic around the world

  • @zbynekcodykolacek
    @zbynekcodykolacek 6 років тому +15

    Plastic people, yes we are plastic people. We were throght Iron Age , Bronze Age but now proudly /silly Plastic Age. As said, it is on every single individual to minimize plastic use, to behave responsibly & sustainably.

  • @TheLittleLeoP
    @TheLittleLeoP 3 роки тому +1

    English Extracurricular 9E 26
    True, plastic pollution should be stopped at all costs since it's disrupting the lives on earth (including animals and humans)

  • @dakwahpediaummat
    @dakwahpediaummat 4 роки тому +1

    My name is Setya Faturahman from SMK Bakti Nusa. The use of plastic can cause environmental damage, a lot of plastic waste is scattered, on the streets, in forests, in the oceans, in lakes, and in other places. This plastic is difficult to break down, so it takes a long time for the plastic to break down. We have to switch from using plastic to using tote bags so that they can be used over and over again.

  • @donnamaria4882
    @donnamaria4882 Рік тому +1

    I learned something new today. I pledge to do my part. Thank you.

  • @elahitradinginternational4399
    @elahitradinginternational4399 3 роки тому +1

    Thanks. Very Helpful

  • @fmeng1861
    @fmeng1861 2 роки тому +1

    hello, thanks so much for this video. I am a researcher from Wageningen University, we are currently trying to create a video to talk about plastic pollution in agricultural soils, I wonder if we can use some clips of this video in our education documents? we are not using it for any commercial purpose. hope for your reply.

  • @alisahx
    @alisahx 4 роки тому +136

    who else is here from school? 💔

  • @WhatDoYouExcpect
    @WhatDoYouExcpect 2 роки тому +1

    Thank you for this video

  • @scruples6295
    @scruples6295 5 років тому +1

    TYVM

  • @quinndomina
    @quinndomina 4 роки тому +1

    THANK YOU 🙏

  • @do_regan
    @do_regan Рік тому +1

    Great video. Excellent info/graphics.

  • @bushrarahman6978
    @bushrarahman6978 3 роки тому +1

    Thnx alot for this information

  • @baharali7483
    @baharali7483 2 роки тому +1

    thanks for the information

  • @DenisCalligraphy
    @DenisCalligraphy 6 років тому +3

    A question: for those who drink bottled water for whatever reason (tap water here is good so I never buy bottled water); what good will it do to drink the water from a reusable metal container, as presumably they'll buy a plastic bottle and decant it, then throw away the disposable bottle? Also where does the ice-cream that gets put into cones come from? A plastic or paper container that becomes garbage regardless of how the ice-cream is served? Other suggestions are obviously good advice.

    • @IdiotStupif
      @IdiotStupif Рік тому

      Here when we do buy bottles, we buy giant ones (think office water dispenser) and return it for money a bit of once its empty, or reuse it for storage.

  • @Darkpsyer
    @Darkpsyer 5 років тому +1

    This is my favorite youtube channel....thanks

  • @fasx56
    @fasx56 2 роки тому +4

    Very informative and professionally produced video on this most widely used material in the world. A very important product that we probably cannot due without, but is causes a huge problem for our environment.

  • @perjohannessen3360
    @perjohannessen3360 6 років тому +2

    really good and helpful video good job national Geo for the good info and the easy way of learning about the consequences.

  • @rstallings69
    @rstallings69 10 місяців тому +1

    good on you

  • @linggiman
    @linggiman 6 років тому +2

    great video as always, informing the general public..Lets make this video trending

  • @manikanta6193
    @manikanta6193 6 років тому +1

    wonderful, I loved this video. thanks God, I have been searching for the information and he had given.

  • @narendranadreddychintalapu2916
    @narendranadreddychintalapu2916 3 роки тому +1

    Good job guys. Keep changing the people

  • @jay-oc3zu
    @jay-oc3zu 6 років тому +21

    My state Maharashtra in india just banned single use plastic, Better late than never, Hope ban will be implemented properly.

    • @reason_revolution14
      @reason_revolution14 3 роки тому

      Though banned but it is still in use by many of us :(

    • @jay-oc3zu
      @jay-oc3zu 3 роки тому +1

      @@reason_revolution14 Yes after 3 years i can see that

  • @Cinderpelt1002
    @Cinderpelt1002 6 років тому +34

    Oh dear, fossil fuels are involved? We seriously need to stop making non-biodegradable plastic.
    I read the magazine this month, and THERE IS SO MUCH WASTE!

    • @maxxiang8746
      @maxxiang8746 5 років тому

      the bioplastic is literally made of corn starch, although thats not really a bad thing

  • @agauggaming846
    @agauggaming846 6 років тому +2

    The thumbnail is perfect Christmas tree decoration I've ever seen.

  • @sydneymarks9671
    @sydneymarks9671 6 років тому +17

    i know this is very serious but i can't stop laughing at nurdles

  • @sofearichielgbtq9430
    @sofearichielgbtq9430 5 років тому +1

    *_Tq 👏for 👏da 👏information 👏Nat 👏Geo👏_*

  • @MSFGoni
    @MSFGoni 6 років тому +1

    *Beautiful And Excellent*

  • @namnhi-nguyen
    @namnhi-nguyen 5 років тому +1

    Obviously, main reason is our habit. Changing it has ever been an easy task, which needs to find out alternative materials, and prospective strategies.

  • @lerwenliu9263
    @lerwenliu9263 2 роки тому +4

    Great video for educating us about Plastics!

  • @integragemi7234
    @integragemi7234 6 років тому +38

    I am sad about the continent made of plastic in the middle of the ocean, imagine those fish eating plastic, human eat fish rip human. Sound fair but not for nature.

  • @annehyams7795
    @annehyams7795 5 років тому +1

    Thank you so much for the very interesting video on plastics National Geographic. Annie

  • @Sp-gk6lq
    @Sp-gk6lq 6 років тому +21

    save world....

  • @user-chardonneret
    @user-chardonneret 6 років тому +4

    wow

    • @legendarygrape6049
      @legendarygrape6049 4 роки тому

      cool.......I'm gonna dirty up the entire universe hahahahhahahahhahahahahhahahahhahahahhahahahahhahahahahahha

  • @SergioSovi
    @SergioSovi 5 років тому +1

    Nice. But there is a huge mistake in the clip though. Renewable source does NOT mean biodegradable product, at all.. Both things are not as bad as their counterparts environmentally speaking, but still not the same thing, it refers to different aspects of an environmental impact.

  • @michaelrose93
    @michaelrose93 6 років тому +1

    _"These materials are as durable as synthetic plastics, come from renewable resources, _*_and can therefore biodegrade"_* > 4:38 < Sorry, but that last bit doesn't follow; just because it's durable and produced from renewable materials, does *_not_* mean that it's also biodegradable.

  • @ES11777
    @ES11777 6 років тому +7

    Great video

    • @blo0m1985
      @blo0m1985 6 років тому +1

      That bird in plastic bag.. heartbreaking..

  • @adammaulana3314
    @adammaulana3314 6 років тому +5

    I think nat geo just have the answers to the plastics problem

  • @Hooyahfish
    @Hooyahfish 3 роки тому +1

    Nerdle is my new favorite word.

  • @tuantrantrong3914
    @tuantrantrong3914 4 роки тому +1

    I'm from vietnamese , I really like nationy geography channel

  • @aesthetic.study_TOmbOy
    @aesthetic.study_TOmbOy 4 роки тому +1

    You always have a better entertaining topics

  • @PavelRipper
    @PavelRipper 3 роки тому +1

    2:36 - a table of resin identification codes

  • @robertodemuro7795
    @robertodemuro7795 2 роки тому +1

    very
    good

  • @ngannguyen7202
    @ngannguyen7202 5 років тому +1

    Very informative!

  • @GarrettEderer
    @GarrettEderer 4 роки тому +1

    Question: What was the drop in 2010 on plastic usage from?

    • @OpheWophy
      @OpheWophy 4 роки тому

      hey google What was the drop in 2010 on plastic usage from?

  • @alexsandrorobinson1883
    @alexsandrorobinson1883 4 роки тому +1

    Very good video

  • @shivenpatel7179
    @shivenpatel7179 6 років тому +1

    Amazing

  • @wy1145
    @wy1145 3 роки тому +1

    why is the music on this video so haunting lol

  • @bubutushar
    @bubutushar 5 років тому +1

    thank you very much NG for dis informative video...

  • @nurhikma2778
    @nurhikma2778 3 роки тому +1

    Hello 🙏🏻. i ask permission to share this link of the video, thanks a lot 🙏🏻

  • @alexandermai5494
    @alexandermai5494 4 роки тому +1

    Wow

  • @packagingvideo5474
    @packagingvideo5474 6 років тому +1

    this is great video

  • @GabInUtube
    @GabInUtube 11 місяців тому +1

    Which categorisation says rubber is plastic?

  • @aquatifox9857
    @aquatifox9857 3 роки тому +1

    Alexander Parkes didn't invent celluloid - he invented Parkesine. Celluloid was invented by John Wesley Hyatt. Other than that, great video!

  • @ismailtaufiq8534
    @ismailtaufiq8534 4 роки тому +1

    My little brother's question "what is plastic made out of?" leads me here

  • @microexpert1140
    @microexpert1140 5 років тому +1

    cooooooooool

  • @edgaruriellozanomoreno125
    @edgaruriellozanomoreno125 6 років тому

    Buen documental

  • @Evantures
    @Evantures Рік тому +1

    "no more plastic! " - Evan's Grade 4

  • @nurhikma2778
    @nurhikma2778 3 роки тому +1

    Hai🙏🏻, i ask permission toshare this video to finished my task. Thank you so much. 🙏🏻

  • @aashisingh8771
    @aashisingh8771 3 роки тому +1

    Can you tell me other organisms that can degrade plastics?

  • @mayurjadhav5628
    @mayurjadhav5628 6 років тому +1

    Can I use this video in my project without any copyright? Please answer me

  • @AhmedHAhmed-bk3om
    @AhmedHAhmed-bk3om 3 роки тому +1

    Salam ❤
    Can we change PP plastics into HDPE or LDPE plastics?!

    • @RB1987
      @RB1987 2 роки тому

      Here in UK we have environmental officers that patrol streets and fine peoples that litter.i was heavily fined £500 for litter on street .

  • @bektas1453
    @bektas1453 9 місяців тому +1

    That stork is wearing a rain poncho at 3:30.

  • @donkaz9592
    @donkaz9592 5 років тому

    Plastic products need to be priced with a higher markup as a deposit insurance guaranteeing that most customers will choose to collect and return plastic items back to collection for a monetary refund and not just discard them disorderly. There has to be economical and social motivation for people to bring all plastics back for recycling.

  • @northborneo27
    @northborneo27 6 років тому +1

    yo human, who's made the plastic, who throw away and burned the plastics? who causing the pollution and toxic waste?

  • @anuradhapotnuru9024
    @anuradhapotnuru9024 6 років тому +2

    I wish there are alternative ways that shown in this episode should come into the whole world and create biodegradable plastic bag and things and to look for more alternate ways to say this world

  • @angeliquefelten5693
    @angeliquefelten5693 Рік тому +1

    why do we allow vinyl fencing and fake grass?

  • @richardlawrence1396
    @richardlawrence1396 4 роки тому +1

    The world is getting better.

  • @k.ganesanganesan6825
    @k.ganesanganesan6825 5 років тому +1

    _stop plastics in all forms. Awareness is enough.

  • @savagex466-qt1io
    @savagex466-qt1io 3 роки тому +1

    3:32 lmfao ! ahahah his new plastic coat

  • @Joe7_OSRS
    @Joe7_OSRS 5 років тому +1

    Enforcing private property rights and allowing currently government owned land to be sold will be far more effective in reducing trash disposal into the environment than expensive recycling. People need individual incentives; collective statements of "reusable alternatives" have not worked.

  • @reviox8810
    @reviox8810 3 роки тому +1

    we should create safe heaven plastic facilities were garbage is filtered in to biodegradable and non-biodegradable ( plastic and non-plastic) then the plastic is squished into big blocks which are then but in a big storage facility that in the centre of the country/countries so none can fly to the ocean and the plant-based/biodegradable are then shipped out to local/supportive/sponsoring farms. Then separate facilities near the coast collect nearby rubbish in the ocean in help with the local coast guard to collect big clumps of rubbish in the centre of the ocean. if your still reading thanks and like this comment to grow attention to my idea, not that is good or anything

  • @rr7firefly
    @rr7firefly 6 років тому +12

    A recent article in the San Antonio newspaper (Nov 2018) reported how many cities and countries worldwide are banning single-use plastics. The article further reported the staggering damage to environment and living creatures from plastic waste. Mentioned as major pollutants: Styrofoam and plastic bags from the grocery store. That kind of waste is found just about everywhere. At the end of the article the reporter seemed to suggest that the big petroleum industry in Texas needs to do much better marketing to keep their profits up. How disgusting is that?

    • @rr7firefly
      @rr7firefly 2 роки тому

      @JcDaniel You bring up some very relevant information about the scale and scope of the plastics pollution problem. I think that most people would not be surprised to learn that Asian countries are major polluters (China and India being the twin heads of that evil beast). The situation is one for major concern that can easily exasperate and disillusion the most environmentally conscious among us. But despite our inability to regulate foreign populations to adopt less harmful policies we can and should act responsibly on a local level. Keeping our own rivers, lakes and seashores as clean as possible is a worthwhile effort. Maintaining a high quality of life for ourselves, for our pets and native species (animals, plants and trees) is worthy of our attention. It may not be an immediate solution on a global scale but we can make a difference in our communities, our states and our country. Companies and institutions with business in other countries can provide economic incentives that extend our own enlightened environmentalism. We have to start someplace.

  • @sethposey4640
    @sethposey4640 3 роки тому +1

    nothing is renewable

  • @Radheshyam97563
    @Radheshyam97563 6 років тому +1

    Super like 👍

  • @payalyngdoh7300
    @payalyngdoh7300 5 років тому +1

    One year has passed and still nothing can be done against plastic wastes. Try harder or give up. The end is near, you have been warned!

  • @ShatabdaRoy115
    @ShatabdaRoy115 4 роки тому +1

    National geographic should be the president of our countries!!🤔😇

  • @vIBEDoUT-Channel
    @vIBEDoUT-Channel 4 роки тому +1

    It isn't meant to exist...still isn't being banned
    And I'm more worried about
    What will we do with all the plastics when it's banned...😔

  • @andreameyers4274
    @andreameyers4274 5 років тому +1

    i do not like plastic in general..but do admit it is good for some reasons.. but as waste..it is a REAL problem...
    I never understand why many things are not banned instead of relying on people to stop using it..
    such as w/ factory farming and the overwhelming need to have people become vegan. Becoming vegan is a great thing- but to use it to make change in how we treat all living beings not human is the real issue...and by not dealing with any issue head-on we only continue to not truly change.
    Solutions for plastics only keep us from dealing with the real issue: "convenience" and the symptom of "convenience": ignorance. This shows in how many new items are made every day before needed. Cars: clothing; etc.
    Plastic items maybe the only way for some Needed things-such as medical etc. However-we do NOT need ANY item in abundance.
    I think this video addressed many good topics...but the idea about "solutions" is one that is ONLY about not dealing with the reality of WHY "solutions" are sought. Solutions are simply the same need for convenience at the cost of loss of awareness.

  • @m.raihanfathurrahman7787
    @m.raihanfathurrahman7787 4 роки тому +1

    I hope humans will care more about not littering plastic waste

    • @RB1987
      @RB1987 2 роки тому

      Here in UK we have environmental officers that patrol streets and fine people that litter.i was heavily fined £500 for litter on street .

  • @OlaoluMMatem
    @OlaoluMMatem 5 років тому +7

    We should all learn from Rwanda. Single use plastics must be banned globally

  • @feelthefreedome
    @feelthefreedome 3 роки тому +1

    when plastic will totally cover our soil then no plantations, that is end of all animals....

  • @soranmirza5201
    @soranmirza5201 4 роки тому +1

    Think about the peoples who working in factories

  • @omer88f
    @omer88f 6 років тому +1

    جميل

  • @crappywindow
    @crappywindow 3 роки тому +1

    Imagine those trees are sentient and we're just bleeding them everyday.

  • @ملاكحامد-ح4غ
    @ملاكحامد-ح4غ 6 років тому +1

    بدنا ترجمة😊

  • @nathanburguez5606
    @nathanburguez5606 2 роки тому +1

    oh my zoinkers ! i showed this to my students and boy did they flip out (excuse my vulgur french L.O.L). my students sure do love a darn tootin youtube video (better than tick tack)

  • @ricobo5682
    @ricobo5682 4 роки тому +1

    Fun Fact: In Somalia Al Shabaab banned plastic bags.

  • @dryleaf9681
    @dryleaf9681 5 років тому +1

    So if we farm rubber trees then we can solve both deforestation and plastic problem.

  • @Ruchi_classroom
    @Ruchi_classroom 6 років тому +1

    Creation of plastic was a great revolution but it's mad use is making the planet earth plastic planet

  • @jaeaugustandrews6367
    @jaeaugustandrews6367 6 років тому +1

    plastics can be found anywhere. thats true. my friend is a living example.

    • @artfx9
      @artfx9 6 років тому +2

      August Andrew did he swollow a spoon?

    • @jaeaugustandrews6367
      @jaeaugustandrews6367 6 років тому

      +artfx9 i dont understand your question but thanks coz you just gave me an idea. ill make him eat a metal spoon so he'll choke and will stop acting like a plastic😂

  • @spiguy
    @spiguy 6 років тому +1

    Nah, in fact you would have to use a reusable bag 7,100 times before it causes less damage on the environment than plastic bags eneregy-wise.

    • @KJ-vt4yj
      @KJ-vt4yj 5 років тому

      But the reusable bag won't break down into little plastic particles like plastic bags do, so pollution-wise the reusable bag is better. And if talking about energy, remember you can choose where the energy comes from and therefore choose the footprint associated with that energy. Same goes for water involved with making textiles and paper - you can use non-potable and reuse the water best you can. There's tons of ways to make reusable bags an even better environmental alternative; there's not a lot of flexibility to lessen the negative aspects of plastic bags.