Courier bags have made the delivery of goods more convenient. However, it comes with a price. Most of these bags are made of non-biodegradable materials. They don’t go through proper recycling and end up in a landfill. They can stay like that for centuries and keep poisoning our environment.
However, that doesn’t mean you should stop using courier bags altogether. Instead, be more careful regarding their material and production method. For instance, courier bags made out of biodegradable materials readily decompose. And their breakdown doesn’t pollute the water and soil.
You certainly don’t want to leave behind a toxic earth for the next generation just because you weren’t mindful of which courier bags you are using. Learn more.
How Does Non-Biodegradable Bags Harm The Environment?
The usual non-biodegradable courier bags are made from low-density polyethylene. Both the production and disposal of these bags harm the environment. They take up landfill, make sustenance difficult for wildlife and release harmful chemicals into the environment.
Production of Plastic Bags
Plastic bags start harming our planet from the moment of their production. Firstly, they consume a lot of resources. For instance, 380 billion plastic bag products are made in the US each year. This massive production requires around 12 million oil barrels. Apparently, an unwise allocation of scarce resources.
Apart from that, various toxic and greenhouse gases are released into the air when the factories manufacture these bags. Some of these include Carbon di Oxide, Sulfur di Oxide, Volatile Organic Compounds, Sulfur di Oxide, and particulate matter.
The manufacturing process also generates wastewater. This water contains various toxic substances like chlorine, heavy metals, and plasticizers. If this chemical-rich water finds its way to the farmlands and reservoirs, it can pose a significant threat to crops and public health.
Landfills and Oceans
Most people don’t really think much when disposing of a plastic bag. Usually, they throw away the bag the moment they get their product out of it. These carelessly disposed courier bags end up in oceans and landfill. There they remain a potent environmental threat for hundreds of years.
In non-biodegradable bags, there are strong and synthetic polymer chains. As a result, these bags cannot break down like organic materials. So, keep occupying landfill for centuries. This destroys the natural integrity of our land and increases the chances of landslides. Plus, the fertility of the land reduces.
Another site where these bags end up is the ocean and other water bodies. It challenges the natural habitat of the fish. This can reduce the number of fish in the sea.
Also, plastic breaks down into microplastic in water. The aquatic life ingests the microplastic which in turn end ups in the human body when they consume fish. And that can lead to a range of health hazards.
Burning Plastic Bags
The safest way of recycling plastic bags is the mechanical method. A machine shreds the bags into small pieces. These pieces can then be disposed of under control. Or, they might be used to create other plastic products.
However, you need a well-developed collection and recycling system to make this possible. Many areas in the world lack such infrastructure. In those places, people burn plastic bags to get rid of them. Doing so releases numerous toxic materials into the air.
Among them, the most significant are Dioxins and Furans. These substances can cause cancer, infertility, reduced immunity, and hormonal imbalances in the human body. Also, these chemicals can stay unchanged in the environment for long stretches. Which means they can keep harming the world for generations.
What Are The Environmental Solutions For Courier Bags?
The best environmental solution for courier bags is to use materials that comply with the Global Recycled Standard. We should also replace low-density polyethylene bags with biodegradable or compostable bags.
Global Recycled Standard
The GRS is a certification program. It sets standards for products made from recycled material. In addition, it takes into account the environmental practices that were used during the manufacturing process. From the collection of recycled material to the finished product, GRS covers everything.
If you are using a GRS-certified courier bag, a few things are ensured. For instance, the bag is at least 20% certified recycled materials. You can also trace the life of the bag from the initial recycling to its finishing. It also says that the means of production were ethical, and there weren’t any toxic inputs.
Increasing the demand for GRS-certified products among consumers can be highly beneficial for the environment. It will create a strong culture of recycling.
Besides courier bags, GRS certification extends to garments and other industries. If all these manufacturers start using recycled material and adopt ethical means of production, the world would certainly become much healthier.
Biodegradable Courier Bags
Biodegradable bags are made from organic materials instead of synthetic polymers. So, when they end up in the land, they don’t have any problem disintegrating. It meets the same fat as any other organic material. That is, microorganisms devour it and make it one with the soil.
As a result, these bags don’t compromise the integrity and fertility of the land. They can even contribute to the land’s fertility if they are compostable materials. Also, they don’t release any harmful chemicals into the environment when they break down.
Corn starch, Potato starch, Sugarcane, Hemp, and Cassava are some of the organic materials that go into creating biodegradable courier bags. These bags are as effective as their plastic counterparts minus the environmental damage.
Educate The Consumer
As mentioned, most people are not careful with how they dispose of their plastic bags. The reason for this is they are not fully aware of the damage they are doing to the environment. If the public receives proper education on the dangerous long-term health and environmental impacts of plastic bags, they are likely to become careful.
Influential social media content can be useful in achieving this. Powerful videos, well-written posts, and advertisements can remind people every now and then about the damage they are doing. So, the next time they buy something, they will ask for a biodegradable bag. And if they do use plastic bags, they would be more mindful.
Reduce One-time Use Bags
The use of one-time bags is one of the main reasons for the increasing landfill. If we can replace the use of single-use bags with reusable ones, the entire circulation of courier bags will become more controlled. Since it’s reusable, you can’t forget the bag the moment you unpack the product. You must have some plan on what you are going to do with it.
Usually, cotton, canvas, polyester, and similar materials go into making reusable courier bags. These bags are extremely durable, lightweight, and resistant to environmental factors. The designs vary according to the item they carry. But in all cases, the bag’s design permit portability and protection.
Companies have different systems of circulating these bags. You may either return it to the delivery person, or the company might collect it from a drop-off point later.
Develop Local Recycling Programs
If an area doesn’t have the necessary infrastructure for recycling, they can develop one. All it takes is a collective awareness and the will to make a change. You will start with a safe and environmentally friendly recycling facility. Since your area doesn’t have a facility, you should contact the waste management authority to arrange one. If that’s not possible, find the closest facility to your area and establish a channel.
You then must determine the collection sites where people will drop off their plastic bags. This will reduce the incidents of careless disposal. Setting up collection bins (exclusively for plastic bags) in public places is part of this process. All the while, keep promoting the program and encouraging people to participate.
Conclusion
Saving the environment starts at a personal level. So, if your business uses non-biodegradable plastic bags, get rid of them today. A good replacement can be WHpack Courier Bags.
Our bags comply with the GRS protocols and consist of recycled organic materials. Also, they are quite cheap considering their high quality. Get a quote today.
Environmental Solutions For Courier Bags
Courier bags have made the delivery of goods more convenient. However, it comes with a price. Most of these bags are made of non-biodegradable materials. They don’t go through proper recycling and end up in a landfill. They can stay like that for centuries and keep poisoning our environment.
However, that doesn’t mean you should stop using courier bags altogether. Instead, be more careful regarding their material and production method. For instance, courier bags made out of biodegradable materials readily decompose. And their breakdown doesn’t pollute the water and soil.
You certainly don’t want to leave behind a toxic earth for the next generation just because you weren’t mindful of which courier bags you are using. Learn more.
How Does Non-Biodegradable Bags Harm The Environment?
The usual non-biodegradable courier bags are made from low-density polyethylene. Both the production and disposal of these bags harm the environment. They take up landfill, make sustenance difficult for wildlife and release harmful chemicals into the environment.
Production of Plastic Bags
Plastic bags start harming our planet from the moment of their production. Firstly, they consume a lot of resources. For instance, 380 billion plastic bag products are made in the US each year. This massive production requires around 12 million oil barrels. Apparently, an unwise allocation of scarce resources.
Apart from that, various toxic and greenhouse gases are released into the air when the factories manufacture these bags. Some of these include Carbon di Oxide, Sulfur di Oxide, Volatile Organic Compounds, Sulfur di Oxide, and particulate matter.
The manufacturing process also generates wastewater. This water contains various toxic substances like chlorine, heavy metals, and plasticizers. If this chemical-rich water finds its way to the farmlands and reservoirs, it can pose a significant threat to crops and public health.
Landfills and Oceans
Most people don’t really think much when disposing of a plastic bag. Usually, they throw away the bag the moment they get their product out of it. These carelessly disposed courier bags end up in oceans and landfill. There they remain a potent environmental threat for hundreds of years.
In non-biodegradable bags, there are strong and synthetic polymer chains. As a result, these bags cannot break down like organic materials. So, keep occupying landfill for centuries. This destroys the natural integrity of our land and increases the chances of landslides. Plus, the fertility of the land reduces.
Another site where these bags end up is the ocean and other water bodies. It challenges the natural habitat of the fish. This can reduce the number of fish in the sea.
Also, plastic breaks down into microplastic in water. The aquatic life ingests the microplastic which in turn end ups in the human body when they consume fish. And that can lead to a range of health hazards.
Burning Plastic Bags
The safest way of recycling plastic bags is the mechanical method. A machine shreds the bags into small pieces. These pieces can then be disposed of under control. Or, they might be used to create other plastic products.
However, you need a well-developed collection and recycling system to make this possible. Many areas in the world lack such infrastructure. In those places, people burn plastic bags to get rid of them. Doing so releases numerous toxic materials into the air.
Among them, the most significant are Dioxins and Furans. These substances can cause cancer, infertility, reduced immunity, and hormonal imbalances in the human body. Also, these chemicals can stay unchanged in the environment for long stretches. Which means they can keep harming the world for generations.
What Are The Environmental Solutions For Courier Bags?
The best environmental solution for courier bags is to use materials that comply with the Global Recycled Standard. We should also replace low-density polyethylene bags with biodegradable or compostable bags.
Global Recycled Standard
The GRS is a certification program. It sets standards for products made from recycled material. In addition, it takes into account the environmental practices that were used during the manufacturing process. From the collection of recycled material to the finished product, GRS covers everything.
If you are using a GRS-certified courier bag, a few things are ensured. For instance, the bag is at least 20% certified recycled materials. You can also trace the life of the bag from the initial recycling to its finishing. It also says that the means of production were ethical, and there weren’t any toxic inputs.
Increasing the demand for GRS-certified products among consumers can be highly beneficial for the environment. It will create a strong culture of recycling.
Besides courier bags, GRS certification extends to garments and other industries. If all these manufacturers start using recycled material and adopt ethical means of production, the world would certainly become much healthier.
Biodegradable Courier Bags
Biodegradable bags are made from organic materials instead of synthetic polymers. So, when they end up in the land, they don’t have any problem disintegrating. It meets the same fat as any other organic material. That is, microorganisms devour it and make it one with the soil.
As a result, these bags don’t compromise the integrity and fertility of the land. They can even contribute to the land’s fertility if they are compostable materials. Also, they don’t release any harmful chemicals into the environment when they break down.
Corn starch, Potato starch, Sugarcane, Hemp, and Cassava are some of the organic materials that go into creating biodegradable courier bags. These bags are as effective as their plastic counterparts minus the environmental damage.
Educate The Consumer
As mentioned, most people are not careful with how they dispose of their plastic bags. The reason for this is they are not fully aware of the damage they are doing to the environment. If the public receives proper education on the dangerous long-term health and environmental impacts of plastic bags, they are likely to become careful.
Influential social media content can be useful in achieving this. Powerful videos, well-written posts, and advertisements can remind people every now and then about the damage they are doing. So, the next time they buy something, they will ask for a biodegradable bag. And if they do use plastic bags, they would be more mindful.
Reduce One-time Use Bags
The use of one-time bags is one of the main reasons for the increasing landfill. If we can replace the use of single-use bags with reusable ones, the entire circulation of courier bags will become more controlled. Since it’s reusable, you can’t forget the bag the moment you unpack the product. You must have some plan on what you are going to do with it.
Usually, cotton, canvas, polyester, and similar materials go into making reusable courier bags. These bags are extremely durable, lightweight, and resistant to environmental factors. The designs vary according to the item they carry. But in all cases, the bag’s design permit portability and protection.
Companies have different systems of circulating these bags. You may either return it to the delivery person, or the company might collect it from a drop-off point later.
Develop Local Recycling Programs
If an area doesn’t have the necessary infrastructure for recycling, they can develop one. All it takes is a collective awareness and the will to make a change. You will start with a safe and environmentally friendly recycling facility. Since your area doesn’t have a facility, you should contact the waste management authority to arrange one. If that’s not possible, find the closest facility to your area and establish a channel.
You then must determine the collection sites where people will drop off their plastic bags. This will reduce the incidents of careless disposal. Setting up collection bins (exclusively for plastic bags) in public places is part of this process. All the while, keep promoting the program and encouraging people to participate.
Conclusion
Saving the environment starts at a personal level. So, if your business uses non-biodegradable plastic bags, get rid of them today. A good replacement can be WHpack Courier Bags.
Our bags comply with the GRS protocols and consist of recycled organic materials. Also, they are quite cheap considering their high quality. Get a quote today.
