Wood, metal, plastic or other?

[Charcoalbriquettes]

In terms of environmental impact, is it better to buy items made of which material?

Mostly I buy second hand and don't think too hard about it, but I need waste paper baskets, and I'd like new ones.

Anybody got any ideas?

(Soft)Wood.

Little energy used in production.
Renewable resource.
Carbon sink whilst in use.

So how about basket? Or cardboard? How do they rate in comparison to wood?

Wicker got by coppicing so doesn't kill the tree - maybe better than wood?
Cardboard requires lots of processing so prob worse than wood.

Thank, itsallgoingtobefine! I think I'll look for some wicker ones.