Whilst paper and canvas is biodegradable, plastic as a material has certain useful traits compared to paper and canvas, hence why making/developing similar biologically based and degradable materials helps reduce our reliance on it.
Examples of such traits: Liquid resistance, non-permeable to water, see-through.
And the #1 most important factor, and why plastic bags are the most common:
The cost
If we can't find a cheaper solution, it won't be adopted without regulations.
100%, most contexts a use for plastic and should be replaced with paper or cloth through regulation.
Whilst paper and canvas is biodegradable, plastic as a material has certain useful traits compared to paper and canvas, hence why making/developing similar biologically based and degradable materials helps reduce our reliance on it.
Examples of such traits: Liquid resistance, non-permeable to water, see-through.
And the #1 most important factor, and why plastic bags are the most common:
The cost
If we can't find a cheaper solution, it won't be adopted without regulations.
100%, most contexts a use for plastic and should be replaced with paper or cloth through regulation.