Although many of our industry colleagues are switching to paper, we at KappAhl are sticking with our recycled plastic bags. This is because our bags are the kindest option for the environment.
Bags are a hot topic in environmental discussions, and for good reason. Way too many bags litter our natural environment, instead of being recycled and reused.
- KappAhl’s recycled plastic bag is the most environmentally friendly.
- As one of the driving forces behind One Bag Habit, we are committed to helping consumers to continue to reduce bag use.
- It is best for the environment if every bag is used as many times as possible and then recycled.
Why we aren’t swapping plastic bags for paper
We at KappAhl are continuing to use our recycled plastic bag because there is currently no bag on the market that is kinder on the environment. Our plastic bags are made of 100% recycled plastic, manufactured in a Spanish factory that is very nifty at producing bags in an environmentally friendly way.
Life-cycle analysis has shown that KappAhl’s recycled plastic bags have a smaller environmental footprint than recycled or non-recycled paper ones. Our bags are thin and lightweight, and take little effort or energy to ship and store. They can be recycled or used for household waste that is incinerated. Paper bags are resource-intensive, in part because they weigh a lot and are heavy to transport.
Critical concerning tax on plastic bags
Following a parliamentary decision in Sweden, KappAhl’s biggest market, the country has introduced a new tax on all commercially used plastic bags purchased after 1 May 2020.
Paper bags will not be taxed, which we at KappAhl have been vocally critical of, as we know that paper bags can have a greater environmental footprint than recycled plastic ones. As we have expressed to decision-makers, we would have liked to see the tax formulated in such a way as to allow for developments that are currently seen in sustainability. All bags should be taxed, regardless of their material, but to differing degrees based on whether the bags are made of recycled materials or in other more sustainable ways. This way the tax would have had the potential to make a difference for the environment.
We choose not to back ourselves into a corner by recommending one particular material, and instead keep our sole focus on what life-cycle analyses reveal to be the best option. New, innovative ideas are constantly under development, and when we find an even more sustainable alternative, we will rethink our choice of bag.
We will continue to work actively to ensure that KappAhl’s bags have the best environmental performance on the market.
Profits will continue to be donated to causes that promote sustainable development
KappAhl is still committed to One Bag Habit. We and our industry colleagues will continue to work on our commitment to help to reduce all bag consumption, regardless of the material, and to encourage customers to reuse the same bag several times. We will continue to donate all profits from bag sales to causes that promote sustainable development. Profits from our bag sales currently go to the Keep Sweden Tidy Foundation (from bags sold in Sweden), the Norwegian Retailers’ Environment Fund (bags sold in Norway), the Keep the Archipelago Tidy Association (bags sold in Finland) and Our Earth Foundation (bags sold in Poland).
More to read on this topic: Plastic bags still the most sustainable bag choice
Posted by Charlotte Högberg
kappahlblog.com 