In terms of weight, CO2 emissions, durability, and protecting the product, plastic is probably a lot better for the environment as a whole than a lot of “sustainable” packaging.

In the grand scheme of things plastic is a very minor part of our environmental problems - though it does have some nice pictures you can take. However, it seems to attract a bunch of people who think they prove their environmental commitment by irritating people as much as possible.

Multi-use plastic bags and paper bags are much more energy intensive to produce than single use plastic bags. Paper bags also fail at much higher rates (handles come out, small tears propagate rapidly, any moisture weakens it).

In addition, paper products such as straws and cups need to be coated for use with liquids. The coating (likely PFAS) is probably worse overall than if the straw or cup were just made out of plastic.