As stated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, people consume more than 380 billion plastic bags and wraps annually, requiring 12 million barrels of oil to create (to which they add water, electricity, and so on).
Unfortunately, people recycle less than 5% of plastic on a global level, a drop of water in an ocean of almost 1 trillion plastic bags used worldwide every year. Nowadays, with the trend of environmental-friendly mission that widely spread over the world, reusable bag is one of the alternative solutions to help reduce the endless piles of plastic bags.
Reusable bags, which may vary in forms and material to create, are called bag-for-life in some areas based on its multi-reusable times feature. It is also highly recommended due to its wide range of applications for everyone, from daily usage or industrial purpose.
Durability
Though with different materials and processes to create, reusable bags are made in order to carry as much as possible and its durability is one of the criteria to concern the most. Apart from preventing ripping or tearing, spilt groceries, multiple trips, and double bagging, they are also able to handle a significant weight at one time – some bags could carry around 8kg per time.
Legalization
Through an effort to reduce the amount of plastic usage, some governments approve regulations to ban or apply tax on plastic bags; therefore, reusable bags are encouraged to be an alternative solution. It is so common today that more and more markets and grocery shops completely stop using plastic bags and recommend shoppers to carry their own.
With the fact that the alert of global climate change is arising, using reusable bags is a great way to show your support for the environment. “If used once per week, four or five reusable bags will replace 520 plastic bags a year”, said Nick Sterling, research director at Natural Capitalism Solutions. As mentioned by a study commissioned by the United Kingdom Environment Agency in 2005, the average cotton bag is used only 51 times before being thrown away. Averagely, reusable bags need to be used roughly 100 times before they turn into be better for the environment than single-use plastic bags. You can do this merely by using a generic bag, or by purchasing one with your favourite brand or slogan on it.
Customization
There are a wide variety of reusable bags that come in different shapes, colours, and bold messages. Reusable bags are now not only served as the daily carrier but they are also beneficial for business purposes. They are widely used to contain industrial materials and agricultural products and it is ideal for brands to put any information on these bags by printing. The customization is not limited in shapes and sizes, it is open to anything that appears at the front.
DIFFERENT TYPE OF REUSABLE BAGS
PP Woven Shopping Bag
Since the production of Woven PP (polypropylene) bags is interweaving polypropylene tapes in two directions, they are famous for excellent strength and durability. Not only being cost-effective, long-lasting, they are also non-staining, easy to clean, and have antibacterial properties, which is ideal for packaging agricultural products such as grains, pulses, seeds, and sugar, as well as products as diverse as chemicals, cement, metal parts, etc.
PP woven bags with coating and bags with liners are suitable for packaging products that face the risk of leaking, from sugar or flour to additional unsafe materials like fertilizers or chemicals. Liners help protects the integrity of your product by avoiding contamination from outside sources and reducing the release or absorption of humidity.
Advantages/Characteristics of PP Woven Bags
- Tear-resistant, reducing costly losses of products and reworking costs.
- Custom two-sided printing is available.
- Available with flat or anti-slip weaving.
- Available in any colour or transparent.
- Widely used for products needing to breathe (preventing mould or decomposition).
PP Non-Woven Shopping Bag
Non-woven and woven polypropylene bags are both preferred options for product packaging. While PP bags are made out of the same type of plastic resin, they differ in the way that they are formed. Woven polypropylene consists of PP plastic threads that are woven together, creating a durable material with a great deal of flexibility and strength. Non-woven polypropylene bags, on the other hand, are bonded together instead of woven, so that plastic fibres are fused together using heat and pressure. Both processes produce durable and dependable bags for all kinds of packaging applications.
Advantages/Characteristics of PP Non-woven Bags
- It is easy to print anything on non-woven shopping bags and hence, brands find it ideal from the point of view of promotion through shopping bags.
- Light in weight, so it is easy to carry them anywhere.
- Made in various patterns, colours, and styles, they also reflect a fashion statement.
Recycled PET Shopping Bag
Recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) is one of the materials used to create reusable bags at a high level of eco-friendliness. Though made from recycled content & is 100% recyclable after use, rPET bags are as resistant, durable and useful as other polypropylene bags. However, these bags are suggested to be hand-washed for the best quality conservation.
Advantages/Characteristics of RPET shopping bags
- Strong, durable and waterproof.
- Requires 2/3 less energy to manufacture products made out of PET.
- Can be blended with other fabric, like hemp or polyester, to make nice material for reusable bags.
- Recycled PET reusable bags can be screen printed in spot colours. Some blends can be printed with a full-colour heat transfer. Recycled PET can also be laminated and printed will beautiful full colour, “all over” graphics.
