May. 06, 2024
As an Eco-friendly provider to our clients, we're often asked which of our products are recycled, recyclable, biodegradable, or compostable. We offer a variety of products made from paper that fall into these categories. Here's some important information about paper bags and their environmental implications.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit compostable adhesive postal bags.
What’s the difference between biodegradable paper bags and compostable paper bags?
In a world where many “eco-friendly” terms are used interchangeably to attract buyers, even well-intentioned consumers can feel misinformed. Some common terms you might encounter when choosing environmentally responsible packaging are:
Biodegradable Bag: A bag that breaks down into carbon dioxide, water, and biomass within a reasonable time in a natural environment. Note that biodegradability requires certain conditions. Landfills typically lack the necessary microorganisms, and improper disposal may delay biodegradation.
Compostable Bag: According to the EPA, compostable means an organic material that decomposes under controlled biological conditions to form humus-like material. Compostable products must biodegrade in a reasonable timeframe (a few months) without leaving visible or toxic residues. Composting can occur in industrial, municipal, or home composters.
Recyclable Bag: A bag that can be collected and reprocessed to produce new paper. Recycling involves mixing used paper materials with water and chemicals to break them down into cellulose. The pulp is strained to remove contaminants and then de-inked or bleached for new recycled paper. Learn more with this simple illustration from Earth Answers.
Recycled Paper Bag: Made from previously used paper, processed through recycling. The percentage of post-consumer fibers indicates how much of the pulp has been used by consumers. Examples include old magazines and newspapers. Most bag legislations require at least 40% post-consumer recycled content. Our range varies between 40% – 100%.
Made with 40%-100% Post-Consumer recycled paper and water-based inks. This bag is 100% recyclable.
Is it better to recycle a paper bag, or to compost it?
Both options are acceptable but never throw it in the trash! Unless heavily contaminated with grease or laminated with materials like poly or foil, paper bags can be recycled or composted. Recycling often has a larger-scale environmental impact due to greater access to recycling programs. It reintroduces the material into the paper supply stream, reducing the need for virgin fiber.
Composting or using bags as ground cover or weed barriers can also be beneficial as it avoids chemicals and plastics. Additionally, paper bags are reusable: use them to cover books, pack lunches, wrap gifts, create gift cards, or as scrap paper.
How long does a paper bag take to biodegrade? How does that compare to other items?
The time required for biodegradation depends on the environment. Even fruit peels won't decompose inside a plastic bag in a landfill due to lack of light, water, and bacterial activity.
Refer to this chart from ScienceLearn for biodegradation times:
Factors affecting paper bag biodegradation include thickness and environmental conditions. Wetter, warmer climates speed up the process.
Which paper bag is right for my company?
Ecology Packaging offers numerous environmentally friendly options, including several that comply with bag ban regulations.
All paper merchandise bags and SOS bags from our manufacturers are 100% recyclable and compostable. We also provide eco-friendly shipping bags like the Eco-Natural mailer, made from 100% recycled fibers and compostable.
| Bag Type | Recycled Content | Bag Ban Compliant | Recyclable | Biodegradable | Compostable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Bags (white & Colors) | NO | NO | YES | YES | YES |
| Merchandise Bags (Recycled Natural) | 100% | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| SOS Bags (white & Colors) | NO | NO | YES | YES | YES |
| SOS Bags (Recycled Natural) | 100% | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Glassine Lined Gourmet Bags (white & Colors) | NO | NO | YES | YES | YES |
| Glassine Lined Gourmet Bags (Recycled Natural) | Natural Kraft – 100% recycled Glassine – Virgin | N/A | YES | YES | YES |
| Handled Shopping Bags (Recycled Natural) | 100% (95% Post-Consumer) | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Handled Shopping Bags (Recycled White) | 40% (40% Post-Consumer) | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Eco-Natural Shipping Bags | 100% (90% Post-Consumer) | N/A | YES | YES | YES |
| Eco-Shipper® Shipping Bags | Minimum of 50% | N/A | YES | YES | YES |
| Dura-Bag® Shipping Bags | NO | N/A | YES | NO | NO |
Please visit our website or email our team at [email protected] if you'd like help selecting a bag that will effectively package your product.
Sources:
www.twosidesna.org
www.tappi.org
www.sciencelearn.org
noissue's sustainable mailer range includes Recycled Poly Mailers and Compostable Mailers. Here's what makes each unique and how to choose the best one for your business.
As part of noissue’s circular materials framework, we are constantly developing and improving our packaging range to bring you a choice in sustainable options.
Our products fit into one or more of three categories: compostable, recycled, or reusable.
While our Compostable Mailer has long been a favorite with customers, we've expanded our range to include more mailer alternatives, allowing you to choose the best one for your needs.
Brands looking to replace poly mailers made with virgin plastics now have more options. Poly mailers are affordably popular, but they're single-use before heading to landfill where they can take over 1000 years to decompose.
Not sure which sustainable mailer is best for your business? Let's look at the features of our sustainable mailers and what our customers like most about them!
What makes the noissue Recycled Poly Mailers environmentally friendly?
Our Recycled Poly Mailers are made of 100% recycled plastic, giving non-new or virgin plastic a second life. This aligns with the circular economy principles.
The material combines recycled low-density polyethylene (LDPE), used for plastic bags, and high-density polyethylene (HDPE), used in plastic bottles.
How do they stack up compared to the other mailers?
One unique feature is the two adhesive strips, allowing recipients to reuse them. They can also be recycled wherever soft plastics are accepted and made into something new. Customers should check local regulations on recycling these materials.
Available in four sizes, these mailers cater to various shipment needs. They can be customized with the Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) dependent on size.
What do noissue’s customers think of them?
"I love the Recycled mailers! For what they stand for, being reusable, quality, and even the color," says Azela Boutique founder Jahaira Rodriguez.
"I've received very positive feedback from customers who love that they are reusable and can be recycled again. It's great to contribute to a better environment with a small change in my business."
"My brand revolves around secondhand and recycling, the noissue mailers are a perfect fit," says The Closet Minded’s Alexandra Mecherkany. "Customers love that I’m able to implement recycled packaging since they are buying a recycled product!"
Recycled Poly Mailer’s features:
What makes the noissue Recycled Padded Mailers environmentally friendly?
The exterior is made of 100% recycled plastic, and the interior includes 20 percent recycled plastic and post-industrial waste. The material is recycled low-density polyethylene (LDPE).
The bags are printed using water-based inks, an eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-based inks.
How do they stack up compared to the other mailers?
Recycled Padded mailers add cushion to mailers, perfect for fragile items. The bubble interior provides extra padding.
Recycled Padded Mailer’s features:
What makes the Compostable mailers environmentally friendly?
noissue's Compostable Mailers are made of 100% compostable materials. They can be composted in a backyard or commercially, breaking down in six months (180 days) at home and 90 days in commercial composting. They meet American, European, International, and Australian composting standards.
These mailers consist of PLA (plant materials like corn and wheat straw) and PBAT, a bio-based polymer. The plant materials used make up less than 0.05% of the global corn crop, reducing environmental impact.
How do they stack up compared to the other mailers?
The Compostable Mailers offer significant sustainability. Correct composting returns them to the earth without harmful residues. However, customers must know how to dispose of them correctly. Consider providing an educational piece alongside these mailers.
The bags are stretchy, durable, and waterproof, which is advantageous for shipping products.
What do noissue’s customers think of them?
"We love that the mailers break down naturally and can be composted by customers. A brilliant, conscious alternative to plastic bags," says Totum Women founder Erin Erenburg.
"We use recycled materials for our cookie mix bags, so we were thrilled to find a matching mailer company. It's wonderful to support women and love the planet as we grow."
"These are seriously the best mailers," says Mama Movement founder Faye Tan.
"They are strong, waterproof, come with two removable sticker seals for reuse, and best of all, compostable! Customers share photos or videos of unwrapping because they love supporting an eco-friendly brand."
Compostable mailer’s features:
What makes the Kraft mailers environmentally friendly?
Our Kraft mailers are made from 100% recycled paper that is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified. All raw materials used come from recycled paper, with no virgin wood pulp.
These Kraft mailers are customizable, allowing you to upload a design for the exterior. They use Pantone colors, soy-based inks, or can be printed in CMYK. Specify colors when designing.
How do they stack up compared to the other mailers?
Like Recycled Mailers, Kraft Mailers offer flexibility and come in three sizes, ideal for smaller shipments. They aren't waterproof but are thick and durable. Not padded, they suit prints, cards, apparel, books, and magazines better than fragile items.
What do noissue’s customers think of them?
"I love that it is recycled paper and personalized," says illustrator Milka Sukno. "I will send my art prints and stationery in it, making recipients happy with the package and product."
Kraft Mailer’s features:
What makes the Stock Kraft Mailers environmentally friendly?
Like the Custom Kraft Mailers, Stock Kraft Mailers are made from 100% recycled paper and are Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified. All raw materials come from recycled paper, with no virgin wood pulp.
They’re printed with soy-based inks, an
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