June 18, 2007 - Plastic bags take less energy to produce, but, if not recycled, take up space in landfills. Paper bags use more energy to be produced and eat up pulp and, subsequently, trees.Plastic bags prevail in the marketplace. My favorite, a Beatles bag, bought at a fan convention years ago; my Fresh Market and Rosewood Market bags; my German department store bag; my plastic tote from London; my ginormous IKEA bag.