Paper vs. Plastic

I just read this article, which recently came out in the New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/29/science/29tier.html?em&ex=1217476800&en=c2f6b5dd36564fec&ei=5087%0A

This article states the following:

"Evil plastic bags. Take it from the Environmental Protection Agency : paper bags are not better for the environment than plastic bags. If anything, the evidence from life-cycle analyses favors plastic bags. They require much less energy — and greenhouse emissions — to manufacture, ship and recycle. They generate less air and water pollution. And they take up much less space in landfills."

And it struck me as yet another example of how trying to go "green" or "sustainable" is not always as easy as it appears, that real research, analysis and investigation is truly needed in order to make a worthwhile decision and that the simple answer is not necessarily the best.