PAPER BAGS – A PRACTICAL SOLUTION FROM THE ENVIRONMENT

What are paper bags?

Paper bags, also known as kraft paper bags or cement paper bags, are simply products made from used paper. Various types of waste paper and trash are collected, processed, and used to reproduce new paper, serving different purposes, including creating recycled paper bags.

Kraft paper bags are named after the process used to create them – the “kraft process.” Unlike regular papermaking processes, the kraft process uses all types of wood pulp, including pine and bamboo, which are usually discarded in traditional papermaking. Moreover, most substances used in the kraft paper production process and its by-products can be reused for various purposes. For this reason, kraft bags are also known as eco-friendly paper bags.

Distinguishing common symbols on paper bags:

Usually, some symbols are printed on the bag, indicating information related to the bag, specifically:

• Mobius Loop: This is the most common symbol, indicating that this product can continue to be [recycled].
• Mobius Loop (X%): Indicates that the product can be [recycled]. The number inside represents the percentage of the packaging that is made [from recycled materials]. This symbol also encourages users to [recycle] the bag after use.
• The Green Dot: This symbol conveys the message that the [manufacturer] has made specific contributions to the [recycling process] of that bag.
• FSC: Proves that this bag product is FSC certified, with clear origin and source. The wood used to make the bag is produced and managed by the FSC Forest Stewardship Council, ensuring a balance between social benefits and environmental protection.

The wonderful benefits of paper bags: ​​​​​​Optimizing production costs

Contrary to many people’s belief that investing in green product packaging is often costly and directly affects a company’s revenue, these products are extremely reasonably priced, making them a worthy green choice for many brands.

According to statistics from plhgroupinc.com, the following figures will surprise you about the benefits of [using] paper bags. On average, for every ton of reused paper, we can save:

• 24 natural forest trees
• Enough oxygen for 12 people to breathe for a year
• 39,084 liters of water, enough for 875 five-minute baths, sufficient for 3,000 toilet flushes
• Nearly 4,000 kWh of electricity, enough to power a 3-bedroom house for 1 year
• 605 liters of crude oil;

Limiting an amount of CO2 equivalent to the emissions of 1 car over 6 weeks (reducing polluting emissions by 95% compared to the process of producing 01 ton of paper from wood).

This shows that using paper bags will save a considerable amount of cost and manpower for businesses and society, which means the environment is better protected.

Reducing CO2 emissions

While young trees absorb CO2 faster, old trees have a higher capacity to store this gas. If [more] paper bags [are used], it means fewer old trees are harvested for wood, allowing more CO2 to be stored in trees and reducing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

“Every 1m3 of wood absorbs 1 ton of CO2 and releases 0.7 tons of O2.”

Statistics show that the average annual carbon storage of European forests reaches 719 million tons of CO2 per year. This amount equals the annual CO2 emissions generated by Germany, including the energy, manufacturing and construction industries, transportation, households, agriculture, and waste. Or equivalent to 209 coal-fired power plants.

Easy to use and biodegradable

According to some studies, paper bag products on the market contain a minimum of 35% paper materials. After a life cycle of use, these products continue to undergo processing and are reused. This aligns with the global trend of green living and environmental protection. More and more companies are not using plastic bags because they require an elaborate treatment process and can even clog machinery.

On average, paper bags take a few months to completely decompose, while plastic bags take 500-1000 years to complete this process. For bags no longer used for storing items, you can tear them up and use them for composting, which is also very good.

Protecting the environment and marine life

This can be considered an excellent advantage of paper bags because they have contributed to reducing waste and significantly improving environmental pollution. Moreover, the lives of thousands of marine creatures have been destroyed by plastic bags. Plastic bags can cause animals to mistake them for food. When ingested, plastic bags cause stomach blockage, leading to starvation in sea turtles, whales, fish species, and seabirds. Meanwhile, paper bags with their ability to disintegrate in water will reduce the danger to animals.

Promoting corporate branding

Using paper bags to hold items is a way for businesses to join hands in protecting the environment. Therefore, this is a small act but carries great significance, contributing to building the image of a sustainable brand in the eyes of customers.

How to use paper bags correctly:

With the great benefits that paper bags bring, these bags are increasingly trusted and used by businesses and consumers for many different purposes. Kraft bags (cement bags) can all be [recycled] easily, but users need to pay attention to the types of paper with plastic film that cannot be recycled.

In addition, paper bags with dirt, gravel, or leftover food often affect the recycling process. Unlike the treatment process for plastic, metal, or glass waste, where the above substances are usually treated through heat, paper bags often require higher hygiene factors. Therefore, when paper bags are wet or have dirt and gravel, you should clean them first.

Moreover, kraft paper bags are currently used by many people. And here are some suggestions for reuse:

Storing items: If the paper bags are still in good condition and not too deformed, you can use them to store food for future uses.

Preserving food: Fruits like bananas, peaches, pears, etc., when stored in paper bags, often ripen naturally faster and taste sweeter.

Gift giving: Meaningful gifts placed in kraft bags with modern and youthful designs will significantly enhance the value of your gift.

In the trend of green quality and sustainable value increasingly pursued by businesses, paper bags are an optimal choice. Hopefully, this article will help you gain a more comprehensive view of paper bags.