Plastic bags are produced from a by-product of oil & gas refining.

The raw materials used to produce plastic bags are derived from ethane, a waste product in the oil and gas refining process. “If ethane is not used to make plastic, it will have to be burned off, resulting in greenhouse gas emissions.¹“

The number of greenhouse gas emissions created during the production of plastic bags is minimal.  As a result, converting ethane into plastic actually reduces the number of greenhouse emissions compared to burning ethane as a waste product.  Paper, on the other hand, is produced by cutting down trees. – Plastic bags Win

Plastic consumes less energy during production.

“Plastic grocery bags consume 71% less energy during production than paper bags.²” Enough said. – Plastic bags Win

Plastic packaging is more efficient.

Without plastic packaging, it has been estimated that the tonnage of alternative packaging materials would increase by a factor of 4. Emissions of greenhouse gases would increase by a factor of 2.³

Plastic packaging materials are lighter and more flexible than paper packaging materials and require a smaller amount of material to package and transport products.  Reducing the size and weight of a load reduces the amount of energy and fuel required during transport.  Using plastic packaging reduces the amount of trucks or rail cars on the road, thereby reducing the amount of greenhouse gases created by those trucks and rail cars. – Plastic bags Win

Plastic packaging reduces product waste from farm to table.

“Plastic packaging saves resources by protecting food in its journey from farm to supermarket and into our kitchens…”  1.5g of plastics film extends the shelf life of a cucumber from 3 to 14 days…  10g of multilayer film extends the shelf life of meat from a few days to more than a week.³

By increasing efficiencies in the transportation process, less energy is needed to make up for wasted products.  Food that is kept fresher and longer generates less waste. – Plastic bags Win

Plastic takes up less room in our landfills.

Plastic occupies only 9% – 12% of overall landfill volume while paper occupies over 50%.5

Paper requires heat and moisture for decomposition.   Landfills try to maintain a dry environment in an effort to keep waste from leaking into our water supply.  This minimizes the amount of moisture available for the decomposition of paper.  Additionally, existing waste in the landfills is buried as more waste is added each day.  This reduces the amount of exposure to heat from the sun compounding the amount of paper waste. Since plastic takes up less room than paper, the amount of space used by the compounded plastic is far less than paper. – Plastic bags Win

Fact vs. Propaganda – Earth Wins?

In the great race to save our planet, it might just be that the road to the finish line is a different direction than we have all been led to believe. 

Sources

The Oil Myth explained.
http://savetheplasticbag.com/ReadContent667.aspx

Review of Life Cycle Data Relating to Disposable, Compostable, Biodegradable, and Reusable Grocery Bags
Performed by Boustead Consulting & Associates Ltd. for the Progressive Bag Alliance,
http://www.plasticbagfacts.com/PDFs/Life-Cycle-Assessment-for-Three-Types-of-Grocery-Bags.pdf

The Compelling Facts About Plastics.
http://www.plasticsconverters.eu/docs/BrochFF_2008_web.pdf

Paper or Plastic?, April 3,
2008 
http://www.enviroliteracy.org/article.php/1268.php

1. Effectively brand your product.
2. Maximize your production line.
3. Save money!

Effectively brand your product

Printing directly on the poly bag provides a cleaner, more cohesive look for your bread or bakery item.  Unlike peel and stick labels, printed poly bags do not run the risk of peeling off or sticking to other products.

There are many options for printing directly on your poly bags.  One commonly used style is a bottom gusset bag.  Bottom gusset bags have folds at the bottom creating a square shape.  The bag form fits the product inside providing a flatter face to print your product and company information. 

Bottom gusset bags can be printed on the front, back, sides and bottom of the bag increasing your branding opportunity.  Not only does this provide a more aesthetic look, it allows you the flexibility to shelve the item in either a horizontal or vertical position.

Another cost saving option is to minimize your creative costs.  Use a constant background design for all products and interchange the product name.  This will allow you to brand each of your products individually while simplifying the overall creative.

Maximize the Efficiency of Your Production Line

When printed poly bags are used, there is no need for peel and stick labels. The labeling process is eliminated saving you labor costs and production time.

Cut Costs – Save Money

Printed poly bags not only look cleaner, they eliminate the need for labels.  Any time you cut unneeded supplies, you’re saving money!

We’d be glad to help you learn more about printing on gusseted poly bags and other cost saving options for packaging your bread and bakery products.  Give us a call today at 1-877-289-2247.