Paper carrier bags are one of the items we interact with the most in our daily life. Grocery, food items, fruits, vegetables are mostly carried in these bags. They are instrumental and constant.
But have you ever speculated how these bags are made?
When were they invented? And how did they become so popular?
We will be answering these questions today in this blog. We will look in-depth into this simplistic yet efficient invention of humanity.
Let’s start with…
Who invented it and when?
Paper carrier bags were invented during the 1800s.
While there are many names that are associated with the invention of these bags, it is widely credited to Luther Childs Crowell from Massachusetts.
He reformed these bags during the 1870s and gave them their now coveted shape with a flat bottom. Earlier, during the 1850s, a schoolteacher by the name of Francis Wolle invented the first machine to mass-produce paper carrier bags.
Wolle and his brother started the Union Paper Bag Company, which became very popular and a guide on how to mass-produce paper bags in the later years.
How are these paper carrier bags made?
Paper grocery or food bags are mostly made of recycled paper, gathered and processed in recycling paper mills.
In some cases, though, fresh paper pulp is used.
Kraft paper rolls are used to make paper bags. These kraft paper rolls are also used to make standard brown paper bags, tote-style paper bags in department stores.
Why are kraft paper rolls preferred for these bags?
Sack kraft paper or just sack paper is a porous form of kraft paper with a high level of elasticity and tear-resistance. That’s why paper bags made of kraft paper rolls have high strength and durability.
Pulp manufactured by using kraft paper is much stronger than brown wrapping paper rolls. Acidic sulphite processes degrade cellulose more, which leads to weaker fibres. The mechanical pulping procedure leaves most of the lignin with the fibres. But with kraft pulping, removes most of the original lignin present in the wood scrapings.
This lower lignin is essential for paper bags. They result in a stronger hold as the hydrophobic nature of the process interferes with the hydrogen bond formation between cellulose.
This is the reason why kraft paper pulp is naturally darker than other wood pulp. However, it can be bleached to make it a lighter-toned colour.
Completely bleached pulp also can be used to make solid-quality paper bags. There the strength, whiteness, and resistance to yellowing play an essential role.
How are these bags designed?
Generally, paper bags come as brown wrapping paper rolls or kraft paper rolls pressed flat into sheets.
These rolls are then cut into different sizes according to the products that need to be packed.
The cut sheets are then folded as two parallel open sides to glue them together. The glueing process is done either by pressing or heating.
After this initial design, a more complex method is followed with more folds at the bottom of the bags and sides. This gives the popular oblong or square shape of the bag with an open top.
For bags with handles, paper handles are prepared separately and attached with glue on the top.
Why are paper carrier bags better than plastic bags?
As a packaging material distributor, we can say that paper carrier bags are one of the most non-toxic and efficient forms of packaging.
Some of the ways these bags are better than plastic bags:
- They cause less environmental damage than plastic bags. They are 100% reusable, recyclable, and biodegradable.
- They are economical, can be bought in bulk.
- They are super convenient to carry or store. It embossed a look and has gained a status symbol over the years.
- They are versatile. Well-reputed companies like Well pack Europe offers excellent customer support to create the right size of paper carrier bags based on your business, budget, and product.
- It shows your brand as eco-friendly, giving you an edge over your competitors.
