What are paper bags used for in 2022?

‍Paper bags are not only environmentally friendly but have various different uses that make them essential parts of everyday life. 

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Paper bags have been popular for years. Whilst they might have experienced a slight dip in popularity when the plastic bag burst onto the scene, now thanks to their eco credentials they are back at the height of popularity.

It’s not just the fact that they’re environmentally friendly that makes paper bags popular, it’s their many uses. From brown paper bags to paper bags with handles, flat paper bags and everything in between, there are many uses for paper bags in 2022. 

Read on to find out what they are.

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Advantages of paper bags

Paper bags are not only useful but there are multiple advantages to using one over a plastic alternative. 

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First and foremost paper bags are environmentally friendly. As they are made from paper they contain none of the toxins and chemicals found in plastic and thanks to their biodegradable nature, won’t end up in landfill or polluting the oceans.

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The creation of paper bags is also relatively environmentally friendly, thanks to the fact that in 2022 most paper bags are created using a mixture of raw and recycled materials.

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Which brings us on to another key advantage of paper bags, they’re recyclable. Paper bags can be recycled, provided they haven’t been contaminated, and will often reappear as a brand new paper bag further down their life cycle. 

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Paper bags of all kinds are also easy to reuse. Not only can you reuse them as a bag to carry and package items, you can also reuse them as wrapping, lining and compost. 

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It’s not just their green power that makes paper bags such a good option. Another advantage is that they’re incredibly durable. The process of making paper bags has advanced since they were first invented back in the late 1800’s and now paper bags are strong and solid. 

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Paper bags with handles are also particularly comfortable for people to carry. Unlike plastic handles that can cut into the skin on our hands when carrying a heavy load, paper handles offer a higher level of comfort and durability. 

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Paper bags also offer brands the chance to promote themselves to a wider audience. Creating branded paper bags for customers to carry their purchases in is as close to free marketing for your business as you can get.

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The great thing about branded paper bags in particular is as people reuse them, more people will be exposed to your brand, boosting brand awareness and hopefully in turn, increasing sales. 

Importance of using paper bags

By now we all know how important it is to take steps to protect the environment. Whilst small steps on their own may not seem like they’ll have much impact, if we all make changes the difference can be great.

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That’s where things such as using paper bags come in. Unlike plastic bags, paper bags are biodegradable. 

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If you don’t recycle your paper bags then you can instead add them to your compost alongside garden waste and food scraps to help create natural fertiliser for the land. If paper bags do end up in landfill then they will decompose at a much faster rate than plastic. 

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Another reason that using paper bags is so important is to help protect our oceans. Unfortunately after decades of plastic bag usage, oceans and sea beds are full of plastic, causing animals to choke and toxins to pollute the water and beds.

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Paper bags on the other hand simply don’t end up in the ocean, helping to protect the environment for generations to come. 

Uses of paper bags in daily life

There are a variety of ways we can use paper bags in daily life. Do you carry your lunch to work? Do you need a way to store items in your home, office or car? Do you transport snacks or books to after school activities? Paper bags can be used for all of these things.

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It’s not just traditional packaging and transporting items from a to b where paper bags come in useful. There are also an array of everyday tasks that paper bags can be used for including:

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Cleaning Windows - Rather than using paper towels and cloths to clean your windows, did you know that paper bags actually work much better? Simply tear your paper bag into sheets or scrunch it up before wiping your windows with white vinegar for a streak-free finish.

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Collecting Recycling - If you’re making an effort to recycle more then you probably need somewhere to collect your items before you take them to the recycling centre. From newspapers to glass jars, bottles and milk cartons, paper bags are a great way to store and carry your recyclable items. The great thing is, you can recycle the bag at the centre too!

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Freshening Bread - How annoying is it when you’ve bought a fresh loaf of bread only for it to start to look a little stale after just a few days? If you want to save your bread when it’s on the turn, place it in a paper bag, add a little water and put it in the oven. The water and paper bag will create a steaming effect to help moisten the bread. 

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And of course, thanks to their biodegradable nature, you can add paper bags to your compost bin too!

Paper gift bags

Birthdays and Christmas are full of celebrations and they’re also often full of plastic and non-recyclable packaging. 

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Many wrapping papers and gift bags are unable to be recycled thanks to the dyes, chemicals and foils that they include. Which is why using a paper gift bag is the best way to give a present in 2022. 

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Paper gift bags don’t just have to be brown paper bags (although thanks to Pinterest these are becoming more popular and stylish). 

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Paper gift bags come in an array of patterns and colours with different shapes and sizes available. 

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Using paper gift bags is also a great way to ensure the recipient isn’t left with a load of plastic to dispose of. Instead they can choose to reuse the gift bag or recycle it themselves. 

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Paper sweet bags

Do you remember when you would go into a sweet shop with £1 and come out with a paper bag bursting at the seams with sugary sweets?

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Whilst £1 may no longer get you quite as many sweets, paper sweet bags are still as popular today.

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The flat bags are perfect to house your pick and mix options and will often keep them fresh much longer than a plastic alternative. 

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Kraft paper bags can also be decorated in an array of colours and patterns such as spots and stripes to help keep the process of picking and eating your sweets as exciting as possible. 

Paper carrier bags

We have all been guilty of using and stockpiling plastic carrier bags. Walk into any major supermarket or shop and the likelihood is you’ll be handed your items in a plastic bag. 

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Whilst steps such as plastic bag charges are helping to reduce the use of plastic bags, switching to paper bags is the best alternative.

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Paper carrier bags are also durable and paper bags with handles allow shoppers to fit multiple items inside and carry them comfortably. 

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Paper carrier bags are becoming increasingly popular, particularly in fashion and accessory stores, as they allow brands to add their branding and logos. As people walk around with their paper bags more people will spot the brand. 

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Shoppers can then continue to reuse your paper shopping bags until they’re ready to re-enter the life cycle and be recycled.

Paper food bags

Paper bags are also a great option for storing and transporting food. Unlike plastic bags, there’s no risk of paper bags leaking chemicals onto food produce.

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Paper bags help to keep food fresher for longer and for vegetables such as mushrooms are a great choice as they absorb excess water, helping to keep the produce fresher for longer.

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Paper bags not only help to keep food fresh but for items such as bananas, they can help to encourage ripening. Fruits such as bananas, pears and mangos can all benefit from being stored in brown paper bags to help speed up the ripening process. 

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Where can I buy brown paper bags?

Now you’ve discovered the many uses of paper bags, you may be thinking about where you can purchase them. 

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Luckily for you brown paper bags of all kinds are readily available and reasonably priced. 

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At Bestpac we sustainably manufacture paper bags of different kinds that are durable, high-quality and environmentally friendly. 

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To find out more, get in touch with our team of experts today who will be able to talk you through the process of finding the right wholesale paper bag solution for you. 

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