World Paper Bag Day: Paper Bags —— A Good Alternative To Plastic Bags

World Paper Bag Day is celebrated every year on July 12. The Day reminds us to make eco-friendly products our fist choice in life and encourages us to protect the environment and pursue sustainable development. Paper bags have become a popular alternative to plastic bags in recent years, and for good reason.

Significance of World Paper Bag Day:

Celebrating Paper Bag Day is an opportunity to value innovation, sustainability, and minor decisions that can contribute to a healthier Earth. The day honors the continuous effort towards being more sustainable. As our consciousness about the effect on the environment grows, the paper bag stands as a lasting emblem of the minor decisions we can make for a more eco-friendly tomorrow. The day also helps to increase awareness of the advantages of using environmentally friendly paper bags.

Why Should We Use Paper Bags Instead Of Plastic Bags?

In recent years, paper bags have emerged as a popular choice among environmentally conscious consumers. These bags are not only eco-friendly but also help in significantly reducing the pollution caused by plastic bags. According to The World Counts, an estimated 100 million tonnes of plastic are used every year. This is an alarming number because plastic pollution is a major environmental issue. Plastic can take hundreds of years to break down in landfills, causing significant harm to wildlife. By using paper bags, we can collectively reduce the amount of plastic waste and protect the environment.

The Environmental Benefits of Paper Bags

Eco-friendly: Paper bags decompose naturally and can be recycled, making them a sustainable choice. They are crafted from renewable resources and can be easily recycled or discarded, thereby reducing their environmental footprint.

Cost-effective: Although paper bags are slightly more expensive than plastic bags, their durability and reusability can lead to significant savings over time. This makes them a cost-effective solution in the long run.

Adaptable: Available in various sizes and designs, paper bags are versatile and suitable for a wide range of uses. They are ideal for shopping, carrying clothing, reading materials, and preserving the freshness of food.

Resilient: Made from robust and durable materials, paper bags can bear considerable weight without tearing. This makes them an excellent option for transporting heavy loads.

Recyclable: Paper bags can be recycled multiple times, contributing to a lower environmental footprint. Their recyclability is a key factor in promoting a circular economy.

Quick facts about paper bags:

1. Paper bags are a vital part of a sustainable paper circle. It is derived from natural sources like bamboo and has lesser environmental impacts.
2. Paper bags store CO2
3. Paper bags are environmentally friendly and reusable
4. Paper bags are recyclable and biodegradable
5. Plastic production has increased at a faster rate than any other material since the 1970s

China's carbon emissions target?

According to China Carbon Emissions Trading Network

It is understood that China has developed some very important charts in the process of participating in the international carbon market. One of the most important is that China's short-term goal is the 2020 goal. At the Copenhagen Conference in 2009, China pledged to reduce carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP by 40%-45% compared with 2005 by 2020, which will bring a series of adjustments to China's industrial structure. China's medium-term goal is to reach the peak of CO2 emissions around 2030 and will strive to reach the peak at an early date, reducing CO2 emissions per unit of GDP by 60-65% compared with 2005. Among them, fossil energy such as coal and oil should reach its peak before 2030.

The Environmental Impact of Plastic Bags

Plastic bags are notorious for their long decomposition time. Unlike organic materials, plastic bags can take hundreds of years to break down, during which they fragment into microplastics. These tiny plastic particles contaminate soil and water, posing serious threats to wildlife. Marine animals, in particular, suffer greatly from plastic pollution. Turtles, fish, and seabirds often mistake plastic bags for food, leading to ingestion that can cause injury, starvation, and death.

The Rise of Anti-Plastic Legislation

In response to the growing awareness of plastic pollution, many countries have implemented policies to reduce the use of plastic bags. Bans and restrictions on single-use plastics have been enacted in various regions, aiming to decrease the environmental footprint. For instance, the European Union has introduced directives to reduce plastic bag consumption, and countries like Kenya and Rwanda have implemented some of the strictest plastic bag bans in the world. These policies not only reduce plastic waste but also promote the adoption of more sustainable alternatives.

The current demand for food packaging bags is high. To contribute to the advancement of the environmental protection industry, Zenbo’s roll-feeding fully automatic paper bag making machine adopts roll feeding method and can produce bags from recycled kraft paper. It is mainly used for producing eco-friendly paper bags with or without handles. This series of equipment adopts servo drive technology, features a high level of intelligence, offers high production efficiency, and has a high product qualification rate, making it suitable for large-scale production of eco-friendly food packaging bags. In order to face the different demand for paper bag types, Zenbo contributes to design and create different machines, such as S serious machine (feeding way is sheet-feeding) and RS serious machine(feeding way is roll-feeding). The two are both eco-friendly paper bag. The S series of machines handle rope can be selected round and flat, and adopts full servo handle slitting, which save 6-8kg of handle raw material in a single day than traditional paper bag making machine, provide users with more choices and save production costs.  

You can draw on a theme or make a mini dress from paper bags with friends: Organize a workshop in your community or school about the history of the paper bag and its role in environmental sustainability. Start a social media challenge encouraging people to share their most creative uses of paper bags. Organize a paper bag recycling drive in your neighbourhood or at your workplace. Encourage people to bring their used paper bags and educate them on recycling.