For centuries, paper bags have been a part of commerce and trade. Traditional cloth and jute bags were used for transporting goods in greater quantities from the farms or manufacturers to the retailers. To distribute small quantities of goods to customers, shopkeepers used paper bags. Paper bags are still used today by small gourmet food shops and street vendors as well as bakers and small vegetable sellers.
Kraft paper bag manufacturers make a broad range of paper bags in various sizes, shapes, and thicknesses. Kraft papers are made of pulped wood, cotton, or both. Kraft paper bags are commonly used in the food industry as they can be reused multiple times without losing their strength and durability. For instance, they can be used to package fish fillets, fruit, vegetables, and even meat products.
On the other hand, a paper bag’s high structural flatness and surface feature were ideally suited to making custom printed paper bags with a logo or printing high-quality imagery and designs; for this reason, paper bags have become a favorite choice for luxury and premium gift packaging.
However, the role of paper bags in commerce and business has been gradually reduced by introducing better plastic packaging options. These plastic options have higher durability, strength, and ability to protect products from the environment, particularly food items, which increases the product’s shelf-life. Plastic has dominated the global packaging industry for 5-6 decades. The world saw the negative effects of plastic packaging, which is non-biodegradable, on the environment. Plastic containers and food packaging congested the oceans to keep them clean. Marine and land animal species began to die from plastic deposits in their digestive system, and plastic deposits affected soil fertility.
First, these problems were discussed and written in newspapers, scientific studies, and world summits. In the last few years, pollution has started to affect the urban population and the daily lives of the average person. Polluted air is causing people to become sick. People, especially in Indian metro cities, are now appreciating individuals, governments, and organizations taking steps to protect the environment.
Adopting paper bags can increase brand appreciation in such an environment. Organizations are gradually using biodegradable packaging options and paper bags, either because of a ban by the government or proactive steps to gain customer appreciation.
The paper bag is now a popular trend. You can see people carrying paper bags almost everywhere. They are carried to school, work, and shops. It is important to find a creative solution. It can be beneficial to both the business as well as the environment.
Due to people and businesses becoming more conscious of their environmental surroundings, this trend is gaining popularity. Paper bags are popular because they are lightweight, easy to transport, and store items for a long time.
Paper Bags Manufactured From Eco-Friendly Sources
Unlike in the past, paper and paper bags are no longer made from trees but from sustainable resources. The majority of the world’s paper is now made from recycled sources.
Sugarcane waste (Bagasse): This is a renewable resource and can be used to make paper bags. It is also known as bagasse because it is the fibrous residue that remains after extracted sugar cane juice.
Straw: Paper can be made from straw fibers, which are left over after harvesting wheat, barley, rye, and other grains. The straw can be used to make paper bags or cardboard.
Jute twines: Are used to make a variety of products, including paper bags. They are made from the fibers of the jute plant.
Coconut husks: This is often discarded after the coconut is harvested. Coconut husks can be used to make paper with a thick texture.
Elephant excreta: Elephant feces are used to make paper in many areas of Africa. The fiber-friendly bags made from readily decomposable materials tend to take a shorter time to disintegrate than those that are harder to break down. They, therefore, require less time than the other man-made bags to decay into simpler states.
Environmental Benefits of Paper Bags
- Bio-degradable – This means that they can be decomposed by microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, into harmless substances like water and carbon dioxide. Microorganisms play a big role in the natural decomposition process of organic material, so by using paper bags instead of more harmful materials, we’re helping preserve the environment. Additionally, when you recycle a brown kraft paper bag, you’re getting rid of an environmental pollutant without worrying about the harmful chemicals from the plastic or metal used in other products.
- Recyclable – Paper bags are recyclable. Recycling programs encourage people to recycle paper bags, which helps reduce the amount of plastic in landfills. Brown paper bags are the most recyclable type because they don’t take as long to break down.
- Energy Saver – Paper is the most popular material for packaging and storing products. It’s lightweight, recyclable, and has a long shelf life. There are many benefits to using paper over other materials for packaging. Paper bags are a great example. A paper bag uses up to 50% less energy than a plastic bag, and it can be recycled multiple times. In addition to being environmentally friendly, paper bags are also cost-effective. They can be produced at lower costs than plastic bags, requiring fewer resources.
- Help in conserving natural resources – Paper bags are quite helpful in conserving natural resources. Recycled brown kraft paper is a good option for paper bags because it is made from post-consumer materials. Post-consumer materials are materials that have been used after they have been produced as products. They can include things like newspapers, packaging, and cardboard. Paper bags made from recycled brown kraft paper are environmentally friendly because they do not require additional processing or manufacturing stages.
Conclusion
To conclude, paper bags are the most common form of packaging used, and that can give surprising benefits to businesses. They are useful in many ways, especially regarding their benefits to the environment. However, paper bags use more resources than plastic bags, wearing out faster. Therefore, you should choose what is most beneficial for your company.
