Will Plastic Shopping Bags Soon Be History?

Plastic shopping bags and carrier bags are a type of shopping bag made from plastic. Since 1960, most consumers use these bags to carry an item from a store to a home. Over time, these shopping bags gained immense popularity and consumers started disposing of it after the use almost anywhere. 

This leads to increase in the pollution and degradation of the natural surroundings.

In some countries, the use of plastic bags totally banned and companies manufacturing plastic bags evolved from a normal plastic to recyclable or biodegradable manufacturing. To battle global warming and other hazards, some countries have strictly advised retailers to provide only paper bags to the consumers. 

Going the extra mile, some others have stopped providing bags to their consumers.

PROCESS OF MAKING TRADITIONAL PLASTIC BAGS

Traditional plastic bags are usually made from polyethylene, which consists of long chains of ethylene monomers. Ethylene is derived from natural gas and petroleum. Most bags use either a low density or a high-density polyethylene. These bags are then passed through color concentrates and other additives if needed. Blue film extrusion is one of the common plastic bag manufacturing processes.

As the industry evolved, the manufacturing process of plastic shopping bags evolved too. Some modern bags are made from vegetable-based bioplastics, which can decay organically and prevent a build-up of toxic plastic bags in landfills and the natural environment.

The plastic bags can also be made from degradable polyethylene film. In general, biodegradable plastic bags need to be kept separate from conventional plastic recycling systems.

EVOLUTION OF PAPER BAGS

Out of the door marketing and branding is one of the most prevalent methods of promoting a brand. Companies use a variety of marketing mix and media vehicles to promote the brand effectively. 

Modern retailers and small mom and pop store use printed plastic bags to promote the brand name, logo, tagline, services, products, discounts or anything that can visually keep the shopper’s network attracted.

Due to the stringent laws and restriction of using certain kinds of plastic bags, retailers have now resorted to the paper bags for promotions and branding.

Some modern retailers blend a variety of marketing methods along with promotional shopping bags like transit advertisements, guerilla marketing, and online social channels.

ARE PLASTIC BAGS THINGS OF PAST?

It’s very difficult to answer this question as different countries have different laws pertaining to the use of plastic bags. The future of plastic bag is certainly foggy, however; with the invent of recyclable technologies plastic bags may survive for long coming few years.

Moreover, chances are that the new technologies eliminate the use of plastic entirely and develop other means to carry the products from a shop to a home. Retailers have already started using paper bags and reusable bags, which is a step towards a transition from plastic bags to other means of carrying products.