PLASTIC BAG LCA Stage: Extraction and processing of raw Plastic is made from hydrocarbons obtained from crude oil. Crude oil is a finite resource The crude oil requires processing by way of fractional distillation, followed by cracking and polymerisation. All these stages require energy, however, there is little waste because all the fractions of crude oil have uses. PLASTIC BAG LCA Stage: Manufacturing and packaging The plastic is processed into a long roll of film The film is cut into the required shape Machinery is used at each stage and requires energy The bags are packaged in cardboard boxes PLASTIC BAG LCA Stage: Use and reuse The actual use of the product has no environmental impact Plastic bags are relatively strong so can be reused They can be reused as shopping bags or bin liners. PLASTIC BAG LCA Stage: Disposal Plastic bags are recyclable so can be turned into another product—this requires energy They are not biodegradable so if thrown away, they will take up space in landfill Landfill waste can pollute land. PLASTIC BAG LCA Stage: Transport and distribution at all stages Crude oil transported from oil rig to processing plant Plastic transported to plastic bag manufacturer Plastic bags distributed from manufacturer to shops PAPER BAG LCA Stage: Extraction and processing of raw materials Paper is made from timber (wood) Timber is a renewable resource, but paper bags need to be thick to be strong, which means a lot of wood is required The timber requires pulping (crushing) and processing Pulping and processing requires lots of energy Lots of unusable waste is made. PAPER BAG LCA Stage: Manufacturing and packaging The paper is rolled into long sheets of the required thickness It is then cut/folded/sealed into the required shapes Machinery is used at each stage and requires energy The bags are packaged in cardboard boxes PAPER BAG LCA Stage: Use and reuse Paper bags are relatively weak so are normally only used once PAPER BAG LCA Stage: Disposal Paper bags are recyclable so can be turned into another product— this requires energy They are biodegradable and non- toxic so will break down in the environment without causing pollution PAPER BAG LCA Stage: Transport and distribution at all stages Timber transported from forest to processing plant Paper transported from processing plant to paper bag manufacturer Paper bags distributed from manufacturer to shops .