Saturday, July 3, 2021, is International Plastic Bag Free Day. On this day we skip the plastic bags to reduce our dependence on single use plastics. Plastic bag free day is a global green initiative that aims to reduce, if not eliminate the use of single use plastics. Single use plastics may seem like a major shopping convenience. However, it does add strain to the environment.
Plastic Bag Free Day strives to look for safer alternatives to demonstrate the possibilities of a world with less plastic. International Plastic Bag Free Day is part of the Break Free From Plastic.
Movement which began in September of 2016. Nearly 1,500 organizations and counting are joining The Break Free From Plastic Movement. Both movements not only look for solutions to the plastic pollution crisis, but make a safer planet for the environment, humans and wildlife.
UPDATE ON NEW JERSEY’S BAG BAN
Just in time for Plastic Bag Free Day, as of May 21, 2021, New Jersey urges local businesses to prepare for more updates on plastic bag ban requirements. New Jersey legislatures are joining forces to encourage NJ business owners to prepare for the launch of New Jersey’s ban on single-use carryout bags and polystyrene foam food service products. This ban will affect stores and food service businesses. By May of 2022, NJ plans to fully enforce this law. New Jersey’s bag ban law is designed to “reduce pollution and protect the Garden State’s environment and economy for generations to come.”
Further according to NJ’s plastic bag ban laws, beginning May 4, 2022, New Jersey businesses may not sell or provide single-use plastic carryout bags to their customers. Businesses that decide to sell or provide reusable carryout bags must ensure that the bags meet the requirements from NJ legislatures.
The law defines reusable bags as:
- Polypropylene fabric, PET non-woven fabric, nylon, cloth, hemp product, or other washable fabric.
- Have stitching on handles
- Have the ability for multiple uses.
These requirements can be found in full here.
MAKING THE SWITCH
Considering there are many bag bans going into effect across the country, many companies are freeing themselves from single-use plastics. Most importantly, making the switch from single-use plastic to paper is simple. The environmental impact, cost effectiveness and durability of paper shopping bags offer many benefits to the customer.
First, the key in creating paper shopping bags is to focus on usability and design. From durable materials and constructions to handles, these are all decisions that should be made with consideration on how consumers will use their paper shopping bags. Some eco-friendly materials to think about are brown kraft, papers with post-consumer waste, or FSC® Certified papers.
Next, similar to plastic bags, paper shopping bags are completely customizable. From printing and treatments to construction. Paper shopping bags are the perfect alternative when making the switch. For instance, paper shopping bags can come in any size or construction and fit everything from apparel to groceries. The convenient construction of a paper shopping bag folds up for easy storage.
Last but not least, put the finishing touches on your paper shopping bags by adding custom printing, embossing and more. The bags can also become recyclable upon handle removal. Additionally, the custom branding is perfect for your company as your paper shopping bags can double as mobile billboards.
Finally, if your company is looking to support Plastic Bag Free Day by searching for an eco-friendly alternative, look no further than a paper shopping bag. Use eco-friendly shopping bags to stay in compliance with new and ever-changing bag ban laws.
