Plastic or recyclable paper?
In the realms of retail and grocery, environmental commitment often revolves around the choice of shopping bags. Eco-friendly packaging and reusable totes are crucial in reducing waste and promoting a sustainable brand image.
Both paper and reusable plastic bags play significant roles in fostering a healthier environment, although they each present distinct characteristics.
According to a 2022 report by the Columbia Climate School, multiple usages are required for paper and cotton bags to match the relatively low global warming impact of plastic bags. Michael Bove, Senior Sales Manager at PreZero US, a firm specializing in creating reusable grocery and retail poly bags from recycled materials, maintains that reusable plastic bags are generally more beneficial for the environment.
Critics of paper bags quickly highlight their recyclability, yet it is essential to recognize that not all paper bags are created equal. Many used in the retail industry feature heavy coatings, plastic liners, and inks that reduce their recyclability. Furthermore, damp or soiled paper bags have a tendency to lose their quality and are more likely to end up as trash, rather than being recycled into new paper products.
The differences between single-use plastic bags and reusable poly bags made from post-consumer recycled content are fundamental. Traditional single-use plastic bags have garnered a negative image due to their harmful impact on the environment. The UN Environment Programme has cautioned about the increasing use of single-use plastic products and the resultant waste.
However, reusable plastic bags, like those manufactured by PreZero, are made with at least 40% post-consumer recycled content and are certified for at least 125 uses. They can be hand or machine-washed without losing structural integrity even when soiled.
Roxanne Spiekerman, Vice President of Packaging Business Development at PreZero, emphasizes the importance of reuse in the environmental impact reduction process. "When we reuse the same material multiple times, the environmental benefit is even greater than that of merely recycling because no further processing or manufacturing needs to be done," she said.
Several other factors should be considered in evaluating the environmental impact of reusable plastic bags. The production of paper bags demands more energy and water, resulting in higher carbon emissions compared to reusable plastic bags. Furthermore, plastic bags take up less space and weigh less in transportation and storage, aspects that have environmental implications.
For instance, 1 million reusable low-density polyethylene bags of equal size and capacity weigh less than a third what paper bags do. This size difference results in a smaller storage footprint and significant savings in transport costs.
To reduce the environmental impact of reusable plastic bags, PreZero has become a proponent of store take-back programs, working alongside private companies and local governments to facilitate the recovery and recycling of plastic materials into new reusable bags.
In Spiekerman's opinion, "PreZero is constantly assessing the full cycle of its products and is working tirelessly to find the best paths to sustainability. Our goal is evident in our name. At PreZero, we aim to preserve resources and reduce the amount of non-reusable waste to zero."
By considering the full lifecycle of each material, making informed decisions regarding the choice of shopping bags, and taking advantage of reusable options where possible, consumers can help contribute to a more sustainable world.
- The environmental commitment in retail and grocery industries frequently focuses on selecting shopping bags that are eco-friendly, including both paper and reusable plastic bags.
- A 2022 report by the Columbia Climate School suggests that multiple uses are necessary for paper and cotton bags to match the relatively low global warming impact of plastic bags.
- Michael Bove, from PreZero US, a company specializing in creating reusable plastic bags from recycled materials, argues that reusable plastic bags are more environmentally beneficial.
- Critics of paper bags often point to their recyclability, but it's crucial to remember that not all paper bags are equally recyclable due to heavy coatings, plastic liners, and inks.
- Traditional single-use plastic bags have received negative attention due to their harmful effects on the environment, with the UN Environment Programme warning about the increasing use of these products and the resultant waste.
- Reusable plastic bags, like those produced by PreZero, are crafted with at least 40% post-consumer recycled content and are designed for at least 125 uses, making them more sustainable.
- Roxanne Spiekerman, from PreZero, stresses the importance of reuse in reducing environmental impact, stating that multiple reuses provide greater environmental benefits than just recycling.
- To minimize the environmental impact of reusable plastic bags, PreZero promotes store take-back programs, collaborating with businesses and governments to recover and recycle plastic materials into new reusable bags, aiming to preserve resources and reduce non-reusable waste to zero.
