[PT] 3 ways to recycle paper bags

By recycling paper bags, you’re doing your bit to look after the environment. So if you want to use paper bags in your shop as an alternative to plastic, you’re taking a big step towards making your business more environmentally responsible. In this sense, recycling and reusing are part of the 5R’s of packaging – something we advocate at RAJA, to help you prepare your orders and present your products with the least possible impact on the planet.

So, if we focus on the first of these R’s (recycle), there are three ways we can reuse paper bags that have already fulfilled their main function – to be used as packaging for your brand, business or e-commerce products. You can recycle paper bags in the strict sense of the term; compost them to turn them into natural fertiliser for your garden; or reuse them directly, giving them new uses. Let’s take a closer look at the implications of each of these options:

1. Recycling paper bags

We’ve currently covered a lot on our blog about how the industrial process of recycling paper and cardboard works. Above all, it’s based on processing the materials collected, filtering out traces of ink, plastic, metal and so on, until only cellulose remains, the raw material that will allow manufacturers in the sector to produce new products based on paper and cardboard.

Paper bags can be recycled without any problem. In a second life, their particles could be integrated into an infinite number of objects, such as a sheet of paper, an American box or a roll of wrapping paper. However, there are certain restrictions that can make it difficult or even impossible to recycle a paper bag:

• Food or oil stains. Like pizza boxes, fried food packaging or kitchen paper, stained paper bags are not suitable for recycling. The reason for this is that the oils make it difficult for the paper fibres to disintegrate properly during the lamination phase;
• Remains of adhesives and glues that are not soluble in water. These substances add contaminants that cannot be removed during the washing phase;
• Applications of other materials. For example, fabric handles, a plastic label, etc. Details like these mean that paper bags cannot be 100 per cent recycled. However, this is a minor problem. Once the accessory made of another material has been removed, the rest of the bag can be integrated into its transformation cycle.

2. Composting paper bags

As a result, compost is a natural component that is obtained from the treatment and decomposition of organic waste. The result of this process is a homemade fertiliser that provides a large amount of nutrients for orchards and gardens. Its main advantage is that it can be produced on an industrial and domestic scale. In other words: anyone can have a small composter on their patio, garden or terrace, and use their household rubbish to turn it into plant food.

Are you wondering if paper bags are compostable? Yes, they are, provided they fulfil two requirements:

• They must be made from 100 per cent kraft paper. Of course, recycled kraft works and they can also be added to the compost with handles and everything;
• If they have printed areas, care must be taken to cut them out and remove them before recycling the paper bags. Unless the printing has been done with environmentally friendly ink.

3. Reusing paper bags

The third way to recycle paper bags is very simple: reuse them. The most obvious proposal is to continue using them to move objects from one place to another or to do your shopping. However, with a little imagination, the possibilities multiply. So do you know what some influencers do with the paper bags of their favourite brands?

• They turn them into magazine racks. And they look ideal next to your sofa;
• They use them to wrap their pots and give their plants a fun, modern touch;
• You use them when you don’t have wrapping paper to wrap a present… and also when you do, but want to be the most original;
• They take advantage of the afternoons to paint them, cut them up and make crafts to add colour to their home.

Ecological, recycled and recyclable: these are the paper bags you’ll find on our e-commerce site. Give personalised paper bags a chance for your business and join the growing trend in Europe to respect the environment by renewing your packaging. Together we are more eco-responsible!