A GUIDE TO NATURAL & SYNTHETIC REUSABLE BAGS
0A
The plastic bag alternative
N AT U R A L F I B E R S
THE PLASTIC BAG ALTERNATIVE : A G U I D E TO N AT U R A L & SY N T H E T I C R E U S A B L E B AG S
0B
“It’s time to look more closely at how we live, and to hold on to the precious environmental resources we still have. It’s time we find ways to filter out disposable plastics from our daily routines.” JACQUELINE S . MCL AUGHLIN , THE MORNING CALL
While there is no single solution to the plastic waste problem, when it comes to plastic bags, there are alternatives. Reusable bags come in many different forms, shapes and sizes. They can be made of either natural or synthetic fibers, at times combining one or more materials for added strength and durability. Each material carries its own set of advantages and disadvantages. And while it’s true that manufacturing and shipping reusable bags has an impact on the environment, all woven choices are far more earth friendly than the alternative: single-use bags. So, how do you know which material is best for you? We’ve prepared this guide to help you choose.
THE PLASTIC BAG ALTERNATIVE : A G U I D E TO N AT U R A L & SY N T H E T I C R E U S A B L E B AG S
01 N AT U R A L F I B E R S
Plastic pollution is quickly becoming a matter of urgent global concern. Today, disposable plastic items, such as single-use plastic bags, compound to enormous accumulations of trash on both land and water; trash that is non-recyclable and non-biodegradable. Overconsumption and the use-and-toss culture behind disposable thinking, is deteriorating our ecosystems, our health, our economy, and our reality.
02
Natural ямБbers
THE PLASTIC BAG ALTERNATIVE : A G U I D E TO N AT U R A L & SY N T H E T I C R E U S A B L E B AG S
04
Cotton is the most commonly used natural fiber in the making of reusable bags. There are three types: organic, recycled and traditional. Organic cotton is grown without pesticides and is typically certified by global standards. Recycled cotton consists of reclaimed organic and traditional cotton scraps that would otherwise end up in landfills. Traditional cotton is made from a renewable crop source. ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES
›› Biodegradable/Natural plant fiber ›› Renewable resource
›› Not moisture resistant unless chemically treated
›› Strong and durable
›› High water consumption crop
›› Soft, smooth and pleasant to the touch
›› Traditional (non-organic) cotton accounts for 16% of the world’s pesticides
›› Widely available in the USA and abroad ›› Can be machine washed with regular laundry ›› Cotton provides the ideal ‘canvas’ for logo printing on reusable bags. Most cotton bags are screenprinted using spot colors.
›› Heavy, bulky and expensive to ship ›› Wrinkles and shrinks when machine washed. Screenprinting inks fade over time
N AT U R A L F I B E R S
05
THE PLASTIC BAG ALTERNATIVE : A G U I D E TO N AT U R A L & SY N T H E T I C R E U S A B L E B AG S
06
ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES
›› Extremely strong, durable, and rot resistant
›› Currently cannot be produced in US (hemp products in the western world are imported)
›› Can grow in poor soils with little water ›› Refined hemp is soft, smooth and pleasant to touch
›› Can be expensive
›› Most can be machine washed and dried
›› Refined hemp requires a fair amount of water to produce
›› Hemp gets stronger over time and ‘breaks in’ nicely when used frequently ›› Can be blended with other materials to make highly desirable, high-end fabrics with a texture similar to linen
›› Can be grainy, though most is refined.
07 N AT U R A L F I B E R S
Hemp is a commonly used term for high growing varieties of the Cannabis plant and its products, including fiber, oil, and seed. Hemp grows well without pesticides or fertilizers and is drought tolerant. Each acre yields three to six tons of dry fiber, considered one of Earth’s longest, strongest and most durable.
08
Jute is a long, soft, shiny vegetable fiber that can be spun into coarse, strong threads. It is often referred to as hessian or burlap and is one of the most affordable natural fibers available. It is second only to cotton in amount produced and variety of uses. ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES
›› Natural renewable resource ›› Jute is biodegradable and compostable
›› Not very resistant to moisture unless chemically treated or laminated
›› Cultivated
›› Grainy texture
›› Durable
›› Printing limited to thick lines and bold objects (no fine details)
›› Grows in high rainfall areas and requires little to no pesticides or irrigation ›› Can be blended with other fabrics (like Jute made with Non-woven Polypropylene)
›› Needs to be washed regularly to prevent bacterial cross contamination of food ›› Scarcity of supply as used primarily to store crops
N AT U R A L F I B E R S
09
THE PLASTIC BAG ALTERNATIVE : A G U I D E TO N AT U R A L & SY N T H E T I C R E U S A B L E B AG S
010
Synthetic ямБbers
THE PLASTIC BAG ALTERNATIVE : A G U I D E TO N AT U R A L & SY N T H E T I C R E U S A B L E B AG S
N AT U R A L F I B E R S
011
12
ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES
›› Recyclable #5
›› Type of plastic
›› Very strong
›› Not easily recycled
›› Can be made from recycled materials
›› Not biodegradable or compostable
›› Chemical resistant
›› Product of the petrochemical industry
›› May be woven (‘woven polypropylene’), making it less porous and easier to wipe clean
›› Non-renewable resource ›› Not readily available in the USA
›› Wide variety of material color options
›› Not recommended for machine washing (hand wash or spray clean only)
›› Flexible printing options. Can be screenprinted (spot colors), printed in full color (heat transfer), printed in full color/full bleed or even laminated
›› Texture of the bag and thickness of inks used require fairly thick lines and larger font sizes
THE PLASTIC BAG ALTERNATIVE : A G U I D E TO N AT U R A L & SY N T H E T I C R E U S A B L E B AG S
13 N AT U R A L F I B E R S
Non-woven Polypropylene is a form of plastic, a flexible resin polymer. The primary standard for measurement is grams per square meter (GSM.) GSM measures the weight and density of the material. The higher the GSM, the stronger the material. The fabric density is directly correlated to the quality and durability of the bag.
14
Nylon is a type of synthetic polymer originally made to substitute silk. Its fibers are used in many applications, including clothes, fabrics, carpets, musical strings, pipes, rope, and reusable bags. It easily compacts into a small ball for storage and ease of use. ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES
›› Nylon is strong and durable
›› A petroleum-based product
›› Lightweight material
›› Slow to break down
›› Compacts easily – can be folded, stuffed in a pouch, and carried in a pocket, pocketbook, backpack or car cup holder
›› Heavy use can cause screenprinting inks to break down
›› Easily dyed which creates interesting material color options ›› Water resistant ›› Can be screenprinted (spot colors) or printed using a full color heat transfer
N AT U R A L F I B E R S
15
THE PLASTIC BAG ALTERNATIVE : A G U I D E TO N AT U R A L & SY N T H E T I C R E U S A B L E B AG S
16
ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES
›› Versatile material
›› A form of plastic
›› Polyester is resistant to water and mold-mildew
›› Slow to break down
›› Resistant to crinkling ›› Compacts easily – can be folded, stuffed in a pouch, and carried in a pocket, pocketbook, backpack or car cup holder
›› Heavy use can cause screenprinting inks to break down
17 N AT U R A L F I B E R S
Polyester is a polymer typically made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), the same material found in drink bottles. Polyester can be recycled through reheating, thereby converting back into polymer fibers for further reuse. Natural polyesters and a few synthetic ones are biodegradable, but most synthetic polyesters are not
18
Recycled PET is a durable, eco-friendly fabric made from post consumer recycled plastic bottles & containers. Using recycled PET reduces waste and conserves oil and non renewable resources. Reusable bags made from recycled PET create a market for postconsumer recycled materials. ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES
›› Recyclable #5
›› Type of plastic
›› Very strong
›› Not biodegradable or compostable
›› Can be made from recycled materials
›› Product of the petrochemical industry
›› Chemical resistant
›› Non-renewable resource
›› May be woven (‘woven polypropylene’), making it less porous and easier to wipe clean
›› Not readily available in the USA
›› Wide variety of material color options
›› Texture of the bag and thickness of inks used require fairly thick lines and larger font sizes
›› Flexible printing options. Can be screenprinted (spot colors), printed in full color (heat transfer), printed in full color/full bleed or even laminated
›› Not recommended for machine washing (hand wash or spray clean only)
N AT U R A L F I B E R S
19
THE PLASTIC BAG ALTERNATIVE : A G U I D E TO N AT U R A L & SY N T H E T I C R E U S A B L E B AG S
020
ROBIN KONIE , THANK YOUR BODY
THE PLASTIC BAG ALTERNATIVE : A G U I D E TO N AT U R A L & SY N T H E T I C R E U S A B L E B AG S
021 21 N AT U R A L F I B E R S
“In a world where it seems the problem is too big, it’s easy to wonder if one person can make a difference. But yes, you can.”
022
SOURCES
“Reusable bag materials: How do I know which option is best?” BulletinBag.com. Bulletin Bag. Web. 19 April 2014. “Types of Reusable Bags” AllAboutBags.ca. Canadian Plastics Industry Association. Web. 19 March 2014.
PLASTICMATTERS.ORG