The History of Sustainable Bags

What is the History of Sustainable Bags?

In this blog, we will detail the history of carrier bags and discuss why society has moved away from the single use plastic bag and has embraced sustainable options.

When were plastic bags introduced?

Plastic carrier bags were introduced in the 1960s by Swedish engineer and invented Sten Gustaf Thulin. It is thought that Thulin initially developed plastic bags as an alternative to single-use paper bags that were causing many trees to be cut down. Ironically, his plastic bags also became single-use, not reusable as his intended, so many years later the plastic bag is now the problem. 

Why have we moved away from single use plastic bags?

Single use plastic bags are a major cause of pollution on earth, for both land and sea. Due to their lightweight, plastic bags can be blown long distances by the wind and be carried deep into oceans by water and waves. The bags often end up in places they were not intended to be, causing damage to animals, sea life and nature. Plastics are not made from renewable materials, adding to the greenhouse effect, contributing to global warming. As the bags are made from materials that are not renewable or biodegradable, they don’t break down or disintegrate, once again posing a risk to animals and marine life who may become entangled in a bag or eat plastic fragments. 

What sustainable, eco-friendly bag options are available?

There are a wide range of eco-friendly bag options available for use across a wide range of industries. The most common choice is recyclable paper bags. Eco-friendly paper bags can be made in a variety of colours and sizes. Eco-friendly paper bags are an easy product to print on and can be branded with your logo or brand name.

The second sustainable bag option is textile bags. Textile bags are strong and durable with most able to hold between 15kg and 40kg. Reusable textile bags are also a great passive marketing tool as customer’s are likely to use their bag after purchase for everyday errands or popping to the shops. A textile bag not only provides free advertising but also contributes to improving the sustainability of your business.

How can Bagfactory help my business to become more sustainable? 

We produce both biodegradable paper bags, woven and non-woven textile bags. We offer a range of sizes, colours and design features as well as screen or flexographic printing. If you would like to find out more about our bags that are produced in Europe and discover how we can support your business with sustainability, please contact us.