When it comes to environmentally unfriendly products, single use plastic bags are one of the worst inventions of the modern world. In the same regard, billions of disposable plastic bags are chucked away every year and can take up to 500 years to decompose, hence polluting water bodies as well as the general environment. Considering the current global awareness on the consequences of pollution and environmental degradation, many consumers and brands are on the lookout for plastic substitutes that can be reusable, recyclable, and environmentally friendly. As for the use of eco-friendly bags, there is one that is getting popular these days, this is the non-woven bag.
What are Non-Woven Bags?
Non-woven bags are produced from polyethylene (PE), it is a thermoplastic material derived from petroleum or natural gas. Non-woven bags are fair to be different from plastic bags since they are fabricated through a mechanical process of weaving as opposed to chemical laminating. It is due to this that they gain a fabric-like appearance as well as enhanced thickness and tensile strength over singular use plastics. Non-woven fabric is quite versatile as it allows for easy printing, is porous, lightweight and can be easily tailored, thus non-woven bags are easily customizable and can be designed to look very appealing.
Below we outline some of the environmental benefits that a product has over plastic bags:
Non-woven bags provide a range of sustainability benefits that make them an excellent alternative to typical plastic carrier bags:Non-woven bags provide a range of sustainability benefits that make them an excellent alternative to typical plastic carrier bags:
Reusability: Non-woven bags are meant to be used more than once and for this reason they can be categorized as reusable bags. Their construction is more robust because they are made using thicker material and stitched as opposed to the disposable plastics. Thus, as a reusable non-woven bag could replace several thin plastic bags if properly used and maintained, it significantly reduces their use.
Recyclability: Non-woven bags are produced using recycled polyethylene and are used to package a wide range of products. That means fewer new plastics must be created and less new plastic products need to be manufactured. Non-woven bags also fall to this category as, when they are no longer useful, they can also be recycled and used to make composite lumber.
Resource Efficiency: It is interesting to know that the production process of non-woven bags consumes lesser energy, water and toxic products than the manufacturing of single-use plastics. Non-woven bags are also a sustainable product that benefits these resources in the long run because of their durability and reusability.
Reduced Waste & Pollution: All the people in America consumes over 100 billion plastic bags annually with many of these bags thrown away after a single use. Some of the benefits include eliminating plastic waste which may cause pollution and also help in avoiding littering of bags in the landscape and water bodies. Biodegradable bags which decompose release substance such as heavy metals, and plastics that are hazardous to animals when ingested.
Lower Carbon Footprint: When the lifetime usage of non-woven bags is considered, the carbon footprint is less than the carbon footprint created by the continuous use of conventional plastics. It is evident that less greenhouse gas emissions are made when fewer bags are produced and recycling has less impact.
Benefits of Using Non-Woven Bags in Their Packaging
Recyclable material is gradually replacing non-recyclable plastics, and companies are now using non-woven bags for packaging. As well as eco-credentials, non-woven bags provide the following advantages:As well as eco-credentials, non-woven bags provide the following advantages:
– Flexibility – It is possible to imprint non-woven bags at the back or on the front with logos, patterns or even promotional messages through flexo or digital printing. This helps brands to re-endorse their image and identity of products in the market.
– Product Protection – The fabric is very strong and does not tear easily hence acting like a barrier to protect other items from harm during transport in a way that thin plastics cannot offer. Non-woven material is also water-resistant in nature which is why it is used in production of various articles of daily use like shoes and bags.
– Enhanced Customer Experience – A survey conducted among the consumers revealed that they wanted bags that were easy to carry and had a comfortable grip and a shoulder strap. Non-woven bags fit these descriptions. This also boosts the image of the brand due to their elegant appearance.
– Versatility – non-woven bags are made in different sizes, shapes and you can find them in almost any color. Carry-alls such as totes, backpacks, shopping bags and even wrapping sheets make tremendous packaging opportunities.
– Cost savings- Whereas disposable plastics are cheaper, reusable non-woven bags offer an economical option in terms of cost since they are reusable. Overall, the buying of fewer future bags benefits the brands by cutting down on the costs.
Based on the nature of non-woven bags, they are perfect for companies that are consciouns about the environment. Reusable and therefore reduce on costs, recycling and energy use in the long run compared to plastic products such as the polyethylene plastics. As has been seen, non-woven polyethylene is not biodegradable but is recyclable into new products thus closing the material cycle. Following are some strategies that can help brands communicate their dedication to the Earth while also providing versatility in terms of the surface:
With increasing concern in the plastic waste problems, ethical reusable non-woven bags may be appropriate in mainstream. Consumers’ awareness of the environmental impact has become higher, and they think more about brands from this perspective. Replacing plastic packaging with a non-woven, reusable bag shows that grocery corporations are environmentally conscious. This creates a circle of similar and similar-minded consumers and makes a clear cut on brand building in a competitive environment. Eco-bags also present customers with incentives to engage with the company, for example, through reusing the bags by bringing them in for return.
As bags possessing multifunctional features, being environment friendly and possessing added value as a brand promotion tool, non woven bags are a unique value added polymer packaging solution. The increasing use of their products is also ensuring that companies come up with better ways of dealing with plastic pollution. Non-woven bags are one of the examples of the new generation of the environmentally friendly packaging material that is sewn stitch by stitch.