[will_walker]

Is this something that a paper bag could solve for?

[dividedbyzero]

Paper is heavier and bulkier, production is pretty resource intensive, recycling doesn't work all that well, it's not transparent, and you may have to line it with something else to make it hold up to moisture. It's better than plastic I guess but a non-fossil-sourced and easily biodegradable plastic would be kind of perfect for this, even if it was a little less sturdy than the current mainstream options.

[brundolf]

And then at some point you have to weigh the carbon cost of transporting the extra mass vs the impact of the plastic itself (I'm not making this up, it's a thing that came up when some cities started requiring the thicker, more durable plastic grocery bags)

There's no easy win

[JohnFen]

> It's better than plastic I guess but a non-fossil-sourced and easily biodegradable plastic would be kind of perfect for this

It would be, but plastic like that that is also suitable for use as a bag doesn't exist.