Cotton Bags

Is it better to recycle paper bags or put them in the compost bin?

By "better" I mean which maximizes the use of the paper bag while reducing the cost of servicing (i.e., processing of paper bags in a recycling center vs. the composting process). Thanks for the great responses. It sounds like composting is preferable if you have your own compost pile, but what if you don't? Would you put paper bags in your recycle or compost bin (assuming your city provides compost bins)?

Public Comments

1. reuse is best
2. Well you can save tree's by recycling it. So i would recycle!
3. It's better not to use paper bags. Use cloth tote bags they are cheap and you know exactly what to do with them. Reduce is good, Reuse is best.
4. If reuse is not an option and you already have a good compost bin going then compost it. Recycling facilities still use vast industrial resources, paper bags are already a low quality paper so its not cost effective (financially OR ecologically) to recycle it vs making new.
5. I use them as my kitchen garbage bags. It helps me avoid using plastic. The bag will decompose in the landfill, as will anything inside that would normally be preserved by a plastic bag.
6. Once you've re-used it to the nth degree... Compost is better assuming you live in a compost friendly environment. Composting doesn't require any transportation, fuel, exhaust, electricity, chemicals, or waste. Recycling does. I would also encourage you to reduce the amount of paper bags you use by getting re-usable replacements such as a lunch box and/or canvas shopping bags.