7 surprising facts about paper bags that are actually true

I. Paper bags are a vital part of a sustainable paper circle

The raw material, wood, is a renewable and ever-growing resource. Due to their natural compostable characteristics, paper bags do not harm any sea life. They are a critical factor in developing the brand image of shops. Consumers appreciate them because they now understand the advantages of using paper. They comply with all laws by respecting all the requirements proposed in new EU legislation on using shopping paper bags. 
 

1.1 Paper bags are natural

Wood is the raw material used in papermaking and the primary source for paper bags. This natural source is renewable and ever-growing. Forests cover more than a third of Europe. Forest areas amount to 215 million hectares in Europe. This provides a wealth of natural resources and enormous potential to mitigate climate change.

Forest cover in Europe is growing by 1.4% per year. This is thanks to the continuous replanting of trees during harvesting.

For each tree harvested, two more are planted. Sustainable forest management protects water courses, increases research into new species, protects biodiversity, and looks after the welfare of forest industry workers. All constituents from a tree are fully utilized when harvested; there is no waste.

The trunk is typically used for sawn timber and pulpwood. The tree's stump, branches, and tops are used for bioenergy. The fibers for pulp production are withdrawn from tree thinning and process waste from the sawn timber industry. They are 100% natural, renewable, and biodegradable.

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1.2 Paper bags store CO2

Paper is based on wood, a natural and renewable material. As young trees grow, they absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. Furthermore, as a wood product, paper continues to store carbon throughout its lifetime. 1 m3 of wood captures 1 tonne of CO2 while emitting 0.7 tonnes of oxygen. European forest biomass's average annual carbon sequestration reaches 719 million metric tons of CO2.

This offsets the fossil CO2 emissions generated annually by Germany (including the energy industries, manufacturing industries, and construction, transport, households, agriculture, and waste) or by 209 coal-fired power plants. The carbon stored is not released when the tree is cut but remains in the forest's products, such as wooden products and paper bags. One kilo of paper stores 1.3 kilos of CO2 equivalents, and this carbon sequestration time is extended when we recycle paper.

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1.3 Paper bags have a low climate impact

All industrial activity impacts the environment. A life cycle assessment (lCA) can work as a tool for measuring the environmental performance of different products and processes. One of the environmental impact categories is global warming potential (GWP).

It describes how much global warming a given type and amount of greenhouse gas may cause, using the functionally equivalent amount or concentration of CO2 as a benchmark. The IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute has studied the greenhouse gas emissions caused by producing different paper and plastic bags. The conclusion was that paper bags (made with virgin or recycled fibers) have a shallow impact on GWP compared to low-density polyethylene bags (produced with renewable or recycled lDPE).

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1.4 Paper bags are recyclable and biodegradable

Europe is the world leader in recycling paper. The paper recycling rate in Europe is 71.5%, meaning 59 million metric tons of paper are recycled each year—that's 2 metric tons of paper every second.

Paper bags are part of this loop, as the fibers within a paper bag are reused on average 3.5 times in Europe. The primary paper recycling mills operate certified environmental management systems (EMS) to high environmental standards.

On occasions where strength is required, a paper bag made of natural kraft paper has significant benefits: The natural kraft paper's lengthy and robust virgin fibers have a high level of mechanical strength. Lower weights of paper can be used while maintaining the same power. It can be reused several times thanks to its good quality and design.
 

1.5 Paper bags are durable

Europe is the world leader in recycling paper. The paper recycling rate in Europe is 71.5%, meaning 59 million metric tons of paper are recycled each year - that's 2 metric tons of paper every second. Paper bags are part of this loop, as the fibers within a paper bag are reused on average 3.5 times in Europe. The primary paper recycling mills operate certified environmental management systems to high ecological standards.

On occasions where strength is required, a paper bag made of natural kraft paper has significant benefits: The natural kraft paper's lengthy and robust virgin fibers have a high level of mechanical strength. Lower weights of paper can be used while maintaining the same power. It can be reused several times thanks to its good quality and design.

However, cellulose fiber from a paper product can be recycled up to six times before it is turned into bioenergy or composted at the end of its life cycle. Recycling paper means reducing polluting emissions produced by landfills. Recovered paper cannot be efficiently used in all paper grades, nor can it be used indefinitely. Paper recycling needs to continuously incorporate a certain amount of fresh fibers for three main reasons:

• Strength: cellulose fiber deteriorates each time it is recycled.
• Quality-specific properties (such as high-grade artwork or technical characteristics) for the paper product can only be achieved with fresh cellulose fibers.
• Availability: some paper products are not sent for recycling, such as books, photographs, or paper products that are destroyed when used (sanitary paper or cigarette paper).

  And if a paper bag were to end up in nature mistakenly, it would not harm the land or the oceans. As a natural product, it is biodegradable within two to five months without harming the environment, unlike other shopping bags that can take more than 400 years to decompose. Eight million metric tons of plastic waste are deposited into the sea each year.

This corresponds to 16 plastic bags per meter of the world's coastline. Littering of plastic bags leads to a widespread problem of rubbish in water bodies, threatening aquatic ecosystems worldwide. Instead of degrading, plastic waste breaks down into smaller pieces called microplastics, which marine animals unintentionally eat.

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1.6 Paper bags are reusable

Experience shows consumers reuse paper bags for different purposes or use them for their next shopping trips. The concept of reuse is defined in Directive 94/62/EC of December 20, 1994, on packaging and packaging waste: The item packaging, transport, & logistics research center developed a method to assess the reusability of paper bags. The results of the validation show that, regardless of the type of handle, paper bags are reusable, both for textiles and other uses.

Depending on the paper bag reuse being validated, they withstood several endurance tests, which changed in terms of times and weight per bag.
The eco-labeling of paper bags It is increasingly common for paper products to be labeled with information on the environmental aspects that have been considered in certain life cycle stages. With these labels, paper manufacturers and distributors communicate the environmental and sustainability aspects of their products, the raw materials used, and their environmental performance.

This provides valuable information to help us express our decision to use certain materials rather than others on the market.

In general, the multitude of environmental labels may create confusion among consumers and retailers. It is, therefore, desirable that you fully understand what these eco-labels represent to make it clear to consumers what the message is and what the eco-labels certify.

In this respect, the platform The Paper Bag, comprised of leading European paper manufacturers and producers of paper bags, has created environmental symbols to help companies promote their bags' sustainability credentials and share the values of paper bags with consumers, demonstrating their ecological responsibility.

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II. The symbols represent the paper bag's attributes

• Renewable, given that its raw material, cellulose fiber, is ever-growing, is being grown explicitly in forests managed responsibly.
• Biodegradable: since paper bags are made from natural fibers, they are printed with water-based inks and ecological glues and degrade quickly without damaging the natural environment.
• Recyclable, since the cellulose fibers from a paper bag can be recycled up to six times before turning into bioenergy or composted at the end of its life cycle.
• Reusable, as it has been shown that paper bags can be reused at least five times for the transportation of the same type of product for which they were initially acquired.

  It is also common for paper bags to have forest certification. Forest certification is a program through which an independent entity guarantees that a forest product originates from wood from a sustainably managed forest.

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First, it certifies that the management of the forest area meets sustainability criteria, including the forest inventory, management planning, forestry, harvesting, and ecological, economic, and social forest activity repercussions.

Then, when the certified timber enters the industrial process, the chain of custody is controlled and certified (it is tracked from the forest to the final consumer).
  Finally, consumers receive the product with a label that guarantees it came from a sustainably managed forest, such as FSC paper bags. The Forest Stewardship Council's (FSC) Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) is the main program for forest certification and chain of custody. In short, environmental labels help certify the commitment of businesses to a sustainable economy that is environmentally friendly.

III. The bag that helps you engage with consumers

• 79% believe that paper is more pleasant to handle and touch
• 93% agree that paper is sustainable and should be used more as packaging
• 86% agree that they choose paper if they can choose between paper packaging or another material. In a survey by the European Commission
• 70% of consumers voted in favor of banning single-use, non-biodegradable bags in supermarkets
• 80% agree that only materials that are biodegradable in natural conditions (On soil, in freshwater, and in the sea) are to be called biodegradable

 
Environmental concerns of Europeans:

• Increased demand for environmentally-friendly packaging
• Less waste production
• Easy-to-understand certifications
• Environmentally friendly materials: renewable, biodegradable, and reusable
• Good packaging is good for me and the earth.

3.1 The paper bag that enhances your brand in retail

Retailers use paper bags to protect customer purchases and make them simpler to transport, putting value in the hands of their customers. A bag must fulfill the following functions as packaging: capacity to carry the volume of goods purchased safely. Be strong enough to support the weight of the goods inside while withstanding the rigors of transportation.

Be an excellent medium to support your brand equity. The paper has many favorable characteristics. Paper is very tactile, and its stiff surface allows for excellent printability and color reproduction. Be well adapted to the social and legal values of the environment in which it will be used, given that it is a prominent part of the corporate social responsibility a retail brand can develop.
 
These are the functions that are used when assessing the material used for bags, and this is where paper bags play a strategic role in helping retailers achieve the following objectives:

• Dispense truly sustainable bags
• Support a new consumer culture
• Improved delivery of purchases
• Advertise with imagination
• Remain in the minds of buyers
• Demonstrate social responsibility

3.2 The paper bag that is the center of attention

Paper bags are an excellent vehicle to project the brand image of retailers, achieving maximum visibility within their environment and generating great appreciation from customers. Paper bags allow great creativity and development of the brand image due to their shape, texture, and print quality.

• 85% of passersby notice the messages printed on paper bags they see on the street.
• 80% of consumers think that a brand printed on paper is more pleasant and attractive.

The paper bag is an inexpensive advertising medium available to all businesses and is very effective in impacting the city.
 

3.3 The paper is full of emotions

Offering paper bags says a lot about a business; it conveys a message of appreciation for the environment and improves consumers' quality of life. Distribution is a clear example of values such as commitment, personalization, and proximity to satisfy your customers efficiently. Paper bags reaffirm those values because they present unique features and benefits for the consumer.

Paper bags create emotional links between the retailer and their customers since they often use them to carry their personal belongings when they reuse the bag. Using paper bags also involves giving a clear signal of commitment to the environment: using packaging made from renewable, recyclable, and biodegradable sources, collaborating effectively in reducing non-biodegradable shopping bags, and promoting excellent environmental education.
 

IV. The bag that carries anything

4.1 Quality standard

A paper bag is the perfect packaging for a wide range of products, from luxury, fashion, and decorative items to food, pharmaceuticals, and electronics. To increase market penetration, the suitability of paper bags to withstand heavy weights and all kinds of products for purchase can be tested.

The European test standard EN13590:2003 can measure paper bag durability. This standard is based on scientifically conducted studies and will help retailers avoid poor-quality carrier bags.

4.2 Quality certification system

The quality certification system for paper bags is based on the standard EN 13590:2003. This test method subjects the carrier bag to too much weight while being lifted repeatedly. The size of the paper bag is considered in the tests because the greater its volume, the heavier the load it must be able to carry. As a result of the certification, the paper bag is marked with the weight and volume it may carry.  

Test method
1. The bag is filled with high-density polyethylene cylinders and then hung by its handles on the grip of the tester.
2. The test is started and the filled bag is first lifted and then lowered onto the table at a well-defined speed.
3. This lifting procedure continues until the bag breaks or has been lifted 20 times. For a quality to pass a certain weight, 19 out of 20 bags must withstand 20 lifts each. 

 

• The impact of the suitable material: A strong and durable bag is a real asset to a retailer. It protects the goods, reduces waste, and saves money. The key to performance lies in the material and the bag's construction. It is wise to choose a tested and certified paper bag.
• Strong kraft papers: Kraft paper is an excellent choice for carrier bags that withstand heavy loads. It is specially developed for demand packaging and is made from slow-growing spruce and pine from sustainably managed forests. The long fibers of the trees result in papers with high strength and durability.
• Construction is essential: The tests and analyses that have been carried out show that constructive elements affect the paper bag's performance. The choice of glue and the proficient construction of the handles add to the bag's strength and durability.

V. The compliant bag

The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union have enacted Directive (EU) 2015/720 of April 29, 2015, which amends Directive 94/62/EC as regards reducing the consumption of lightweight plastic carrier bags. This new legislation aims to reduce plastic waste in our environment.

Littering of plastic carrier bags leads to a widespread problem of rubbish in water bodies, threatening aquatic ecosystems worldwide. Furthermore, littering with plastic carrier bags is an inefficient use of resources.
 
To promote a sustained reduction in the average consumption level of lightweight plastic carrier bags, EU member states may take measures such as pricing, the use of taxes and fees, or restrictions on placing such bags on the market. However, it is mandatory for all EU member states to include at least one of the following:

• The adoption of measures ensuring that the annual consumption level does not exceed 90 lightweight plastic carrier bags per person by December 31, 2019 and 40 lightweight plastic carrier bags per person by December 31, 2025, or equivalent targets set in weight. Very light plastic carrier bags may be excluded from national consumption objectives.
• The adoption of instruments ensures that, by December 31, 2018, lightweight plastic carrier bags will not be provided free of charge at the point of sale of goods or products unless equally effective instruments are implemented. Very light plastic carrier bags may be excluded from those measures.

VI. The paper bag that is part of a sustainable future

Increased knowledge of environmental and social issues has led consumers to demand products that are produced more sustainably. This is why bio-based products are becoming increasingly popular. Consumers are now far more interested in topics such as:

• The sustainability credentials of the raw materials used in manufacturing
• Sustainable consumption
• Recycling

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The paper bag industry in Europe is among the most dynamic and innovative sectors. With a modern processing industry, paper bag manufacturers and paper producers create jobs and drive new solutions to meet the multiple needs not only of all sectors of distribution and product manufacturers but also of consumers. Paper bag manufacturers are part of the value chain of the macropaper sector. KHANG THANH, ​HOUSE OF PACKAGING
Tel: (+84) 77 8878 222 ​
Email: info@khangthanh.com