A few decades ago, when plastic bags and packaging started to become a thing, you would probably get some cockeyed looks if you brought up paper bags as a solution to any sort of problem. After all, in the past, they were made solely from tree-based paper, and that was helping to drive the growing concern about deforestation.
So, if you were alive back then, it might seem odd that paper bags are making a comeback during the most culturally “green” period of modern history.
Well, there are a few reasons for that.
Let’s check it out.
1: No Longer Tree-Based
Companies that specialize in paper bags aren’t destroying forests anymore. That was a product of less efficient times. Now, the bags are being made from an invasive species of seaweed. Of course, some brands still use the tree-based method, but as long as you look for an eco-friendly brand, that won’t be a problem.
This means that paper bags are no longer contributing to deforestation and the various issues that stem from that.
2: It’s Easier
Drying, grinding, and reconnecting seaweed is a lot less labor intensive than chopping down trees, mulching them, and then processing them into paper. Harvesting seaweed is also far easier as it’s not nearly as strong as a fully grown tree.
This all makes the production process easier, and in the end, that helps keep prices reasonable.
3: The Seaweed is Destructive
This is the best benefit of these new paper bags. The seaweed that is most commonly used is an invasive species. The seaweed grows along coastal shores, suffocates local flora, and in turn, starves or traps local fauna. If left unchecked, it will ruin entire ecosystems.
By using this type of seaweed for paper production, companies aren’t just helping with deforestation; they’re actively helping to protect coastal ecosystems and the animals and humans that rely on them. Everything is connected, and when we use such a destructive plant for a positive purpose, we’re doing a lot more than just making a statement about “going green”.
4: You Can’t Tell the Difference
If we were to hold a seaweed bag in front of you and do the same with an old-school paper bag, you wouldn’t know anything was amiss. In fact, you could be allowed to use both bags to do the same task, and you still wouldn’t know.
The seaweed bags perform just as well as the old tree-based bags, but they’re not destructive to produce.
This is one “going green” action you can do without sacrificing anything. The prices are even pretty much the same.
Make the Switch and Support Better Packaging Alternatives
As you can see, there is no downside to using these paper bags anymore. Back in the day, you might have been told that plastic was the future, and its drawbacks were worth getting rid of paper bags as the norm for a cheaper alternative. As you can see, that didn’t work out.
However, going back to the paper bags some of our older readers grew up with can be the solution; technology, human ingenuity, and a curiosity about how we can do better have made the perfect alternative to the more destructive bag options we have created.
Get on board and start using paper bags, today.
