Even though paper bags are biodegradeable, they don’t degrade into more trees. The chemicals needed to make plastics are ultimately derived from oil, which also doesn’t replenish quickly. And recycling either requires energy, which generally comes from trees, fossil fuels, or nuclear energy (which produces quite a bit of waste). So any way you look at it, use of both paper and plastic is harmful for the environment. What our culture needs to do is move away from the “disposable” mentality and start making things that are meant to last.
Peace