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Which bag should you use? - Luka Seamus Wright and Imogen Ellen Napper

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TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

You’ve filled up your cart and made it to the front of the grocery line when you’re confronted with yet another choice: what kind of bag should you use? It might seem obvious that plastic is bad for the environment, and that a paper bag or a cotton tote would be the better option. But is that really true? Luka Seamus Wright and Imogen Ellen Napper explore the environmental impact of each material.

The carbon footprint of a material is a measure of the carbon dioxide that is emitted during its production. How are single-use plastic bags made and what processes in their production contribute to their carbon footprint?

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About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Luka Seamus Wright, Imogen Ellen Napper
  • Director Jody Ghani Nordby
  • Narrator Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Storyboard Artist Jody Ghani Nordby
  • Compositor Jody Ghani Nordby
  • Art Director Jody Ghani Nordby
  • Animator Jody Ghani Nordby
  • Producer The Animation Workshop, Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Sound Designer André Aires
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal
  • Editorial Producer Dan Kwartler
  • Script Editor Alex Gendler
  • Fact-Checker Eden Girma

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