Business Studies Project

Brown Paper Bag Replacing Plastic Bag

1)The Origin Of Plastic Bag
The modern plastic bag was invented in 1959 by Swedish engineer Sten Gustaf
Thulin. Thulin was concerned about the deforestation required to produce paper bags, so he
created a more durable, reusable, and conventional plastic bag. In 1965, the Swedish
company Celloplast patented Thulin's design for a one-piece polyethylene shopping bag.
Thulin's design involved folding, welding, and die-cutting a flat tube of plastic to create a
strong bag with a high load-x capacity. He believed that durable plastic bags would be used
long-term, rather than just once, and could replace paper bags.
In the beginning, shoppers in suburban areas preferred flat-bottomed paper bags that could
stand up in cars, but single-use plastic bags caught on more quickly in urban areas. Retailers
preferred plastic bags because they were cheaper, and single-use plastic bags made it easier
for shoppers to carry multiple bags. By 1979, plastic bags controlled 80% of the bag market
in Europe, and they began to spread to the United States and other countries.

In 1982, Safeway and Kroger, two of the largest supermarket chains in the United States,
switched to plastic bags, and by the end of the decade, plastic bags would almost entirely
replace paper bags worldwide. In 1997, Charles Moore discovered the Great Pacific Garbage
Patch, the largest of several gyres in the world's oceans, where immense amounts of plastic
waste have accumulated, threatening marine life.

In 2002, Bangladesh implemented a ban on thin plastic bags, and other countries followed
suit. In 2011, one million plastic bags are consumed every minute worldwide. In 2018, the
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) found that 127 out of 192 countries have
enacted some form of national legislation to address plastic bag problems. In 2019, the
European Union's Directive on single-use plastic products took effect, and in 2020, China
committed to strengthening national plastic pollution control.

2) Harmful Effects Of Plastic Bag

Plastic, once hailed as a revolutionary material for its unparalleled versatility and durability,
has now emerged as one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. Its
ubiquity in modern society is undeniable, permeating nearly every aspect of our daily lives,
from packaging and construction to transportation and healthcare. However, the
convenience that plastic affords comes at a significant cost to our planet and its inhabitants.
The harmful effects of plastic are multifaceted and far-reaching, manifesting in various forms
of pollution that pose significant threats to ecosystems, wildlife, and human health. Perhaps
most visibly, plastic pollution has transformed our oceans into vast repositories of debris,
with an estimated 8 million metric tons of plastic entering marine environments annually.
Marine life suffers profoundly from this onslaught, as marine animals often mistake plastic
fragments for food or become ensnared in discarded fishing nets and plastic debris, leading
to injury, suffocation, and starvation.
Moreover, the persistence of plastic in the environment exacerbates its impact over time, as
it slowly breaks down into smaller particles known as microplastics. These minuscule
fragments pervade aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, infiltrating even the most remote and
pristine environments. Microplastics have been found in the digestive tracts of marine
organisms, raising concerns about bioaccumulation and the potential transfer of toxic
chemicals up the food chain.

3)SWOT analysis of Plastic

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4)The Origin of Brown Paper Bag
inventor of the iconic brown grocery bag was a woman? Thankfully, Margaret Knight,
inventor of the flat-bottomed paper grocery bag, was a fighter, or none of us would have
come to know the real story behind the invention of the now ubiquitous brown paper bag.
Margaret Knight, born in 1838 in York, Maine, was a talented inventor who developed a
shuttle restraint system to protect workers from errant shuttles. She later became proficient
in various technical trades and joined the Colombia Bag Factory in Springfield,
Massachusetts, where she worked on designs for a machine that would automate paper bag
manufacturing and modify them for flatness.

Margaret created a wooden prototype of her invention within six months, which was a
significant improvement over folding bags by hand. However, it was not very sturdy. To
address this, she sought out a machinist to create her design in iron, which Charles Anon
became familiar with. After further refinements, Margaret filed for a patent, only to be
surprised that a patent had already been awarded to Charles Anon.

Despite the odds against her, Margaret hired an expensive attorney and went to battle to
claim her invention as her own. The court sided with her, and she was awarded a patent for
her machine in 1871. Margaret's bag was a substantial improvement over the status quo of
the day, with improvements made over the years, including the invention of Charles Stilwell.

Margaret continued a successful career as an inventor, but never became wealthy from her
work. She was featured in The New York Times article, "Women as Inventors," where she
was called out by name. The article highlighted the importance of women in the modern
field and the importance of women in the industry.

5)Merits of Brown Paper Bag

1. Biodegradable and Environmentally Friendly: Brown paper bags are typically made
from recycled materials and are biodegradable, making them an eco-friendly option
compared to plastic bags. They decompose much faster and don't contribute to
pollution in the same way plastic does.
2. Reusable and Recyclable: Brown paper bags can be reused multiple times for various
purposes like carrying groceries, packing lunches, or even for crafts. When they reach
the end of their lifespan, they can be easily recycled, contributing to a circular
economy.
3. Strength and Durability: Though not as strong as plastic bags, brown paper bags are
generally sturdy enough to carry groceries, books, or other items without tearing
easily. They can handle moderate weight and are less prone to splitting compared to
plastic bags.
4. Versatility: Brown paper bags are versatile and can be used for a wide range of
purposes beyond just carrying items. They can be decorated for crafts, used for gift
wrapping, or even composted for organic waste.
5. Cost-Effective: Brown paper bags are often inexpensive, especially when bought in
bulk. This makes them a cost-effective option for businesses and individuals alike.
6. Less Energy Intensive to Produce: The production of brown paper bags typically
requires less energy compared to plastic bags, especially when considering the
 extraction of raw materials and the manufacturing process. This makes them a more
sustainable choice from a lifecycle perspective.
7. Cultural Appeal: There's a certain nostalgic or traditional appeal associated with
brown paper bags, especially in contexts like packing lunches or carrying groceries.
This cultural significance can add value to their use.
Overall, brown paper bags offer a range of benefits, from being environmentally friendly to
versatile and cost-effective, making them a popular choice for packaging and carrying items.

6)SWOT analysis of brown paper bag

Are paper bags better than plastic bags?

We know that since childhood we are being told that the best alternative to plastic
bags is paper bags due to their biodegradability. But does this single fact make paper
bags better than plastic bags on all levels? The answer is No.

The biodegradable aspect of paper bags only impacts the littering and garbage disposal
problem only to some extent. When we see the other aspects and requirements for
paper bags, we will see that paper bags have a worse impact on the environment as
compared to the plastic bag.

The amount of water that is needed to produce a single paper bag is 1 gallon which is
3.78 litres or approximately 4 litres which is a huge amount of resource. During the
manufacturing process, paper bags are more energy-consuming in their manufacturing
processes.

These paper bags release 68% more greenhouse gases into the environment and 38%
more gases during their process of decomposition.

The chemicals required in the process of paper making are too harsh and extensive.

All these things are indicators of why using paper bags might not be such a bright idea
as it looks. Using paper bags was always hailed as one of the most effective ways to
tackle the problem of littering but then the before and after impacts of paper bags are
quite severe, as well.

What are the pros and cons of paper bags?

We have talked about the statistics of the manufacturing of paper bags. In this section,
we will shed some light on the pros and cons of paper bags and paper packaging.

Pros of paper bags

 1. A reusable paper bag can hold more weight than a single-use plastic bag.
2. This is one of the most important and popular features of the paper bag which is their biodegradability. Compared to the traditional
plastic bag which can take up to centuries to decompose a paper may hardly take a year.
3. Another feature of paper bags is their properties to be recycled. Paper bags are very easy to recycle and reuse which can help with
reducing the number of trees used to produce paper bags.

Cons of paper bags

1. As paper bags need to be of higher density to hold weight like single-use plastic. Due to this, the paper bags tend to take up more space.
2. As paper bags take more resources during the manufacturing process. It tends to be more expensive than its plastic counterpart.
3. Paper bags are easily decomposed when it comes in contact with water or any other liquid. This makes the paper bag not waterproof.
4. The manufacturing process of a paper bag is quite laborious and uses more resources. It needs more water, more energy, more chemicals
and more time to make paper which results in high use of resources.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of plastic bags?

In the previous section, we talked about the pros and cons of paper bags. In this
section, we will talk about the advantages and disadvantages of plastic bags. So that
we can understand and come to a conclusion that which is better, plastic bag or paper
bag for packaging.

Advantages of plastic bags

1. When we compare the thickness and weight endurance ratio then plastic bags are more durable when compared to paper bags of the same
thickness.
2. Another well-known property of plastic is its water resistance. Due to its water-resistant property, it is compatible to be used in rain and
helps with protecting the packages from humidity and moisture.
3. As plastic bag takes up fewer resources to manufacture and it is low on the side of energy consumption as well which makes
them affordable when compared to paper bag.
4. Plastic is a very lightweight material. This property makes it easy to store and takes up less space.
5. Most plastic bags are recyclable which puts less pressure on fossil fuel usage and the production of new virgin plastic. Some packaging
bags like courier bags are widely used and recyclable.

The disadvantage of plastic bags

1. We know that plastic is quite useful and affordable but the problem comes from improper waste management which is getting harmful to
the environment.
2. Plastic is a non-biodegradable material that takes centuries to decompose. Its decomposition rate is alarmingly low which is creating
the problem of used plastic being seen as garbage and the constant production of new plastic bags is not helping at all.
3. Due to improper waste management of untreated plastic bags and other plastic things. These plastic items that should have been in
recycling faculty are getting into seas and oceans which is creating danger for marine life.

1.
Political Factors:
 Regulations and Legislation: Governments worldwide are increasingly
implementing stringent regulations to address the environmental impact of
plastic usage. Bans on single-use plastics, such as bags, straws, and utensils,
are becoming more common, along with mandates for the recyclability or
biodegradability of plastic products. These regulations often aim to reduce
plastic waste and promote the adoption of sustainable alternatives.
 International Trade Policies: Political dynamics and trade agreements can
influence the import/export of plastic raw materials and finished products.
Tariffs, quotas, and trade tensions between countries may affect the cost and
availability of plastic inputs, impacting the competitiveness of plastic
manufacturers on the global stage.
2. Economic Factors:
 Cost of Raw Materials: The plastic industry is heavily dependent on
petroleum-derived raw materials, and thus, fluctuations in oil prices directly
impact production costs. Economic conditions, geopolitical tensions, and
 supply-demand dynamics in the oil market can lead to volatility in raw
material prices, affecting the profitability of plastic manufacturers.
 Consumer Spending: Economic downturns or recessions can dampen
consumer spending, impacting the demand for discretionary items, including
plastic products. Conversely, during periods of economic growth, increased
consumer purchasing power may drive higher consumption of packaged goods
and plastic packaging materials.
3. Social Factors:
 Environmental Awareness: Growing public awareness of plastic pollution
and its detrimental effects on ecosystems and human health has catalyzed a
shift in consumer preferences. There is increasing demand for sustainable
packaging solutions, biodegradable alternatives, and initiatives to reduce
plastic waste. Consumer activism and advocacy campaigns have pressured
companies to adopt environmentally responsible practices and products.
 Changing Lifestyles: Evolving societal trends, such as the rise of eco-
consciousness and health awareness, influence consumer behaviors and
purchasing decisions. Consumers are increasingly seeking products with
minimal environmental impact, driving the demand for plastic-free or plastic-
reduced options and fostering innovation in sustainable packaging solutions.
4. Technological Factors:
 Innovations in Recycling: Technological advancements in recycling
processes, such as chemical recycling, mechanical recycling, and
biodegradable plastics, hold promise for mitigating plastic waste. Innovations
in material science and engineering are enabling the development of
recyclable and compostable plastics, as well as novel recycling technologies
that improve efficiency and scalability.
 Alternative Materials: The emergence of alternative materials, such as
bioplastics derived from renewable sources like plant-based feedstocks, offers
potential solutions to reduce reliance on conventional plastics. However,
challenges remain regarding scalability, cost-effectiveness, and the
environmental sustainability of alternative materials compared to traditional
plastics.
5. Environmental Factors:
 Climate Change: The plastic industry faces increasing scrutiny due to its
contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. Concerns about
carbon footprint and energy consumption drive efforts to adopt more
sustainable production practices, invest in renewable energy sources, and
reduce emissions throughout the plastic supply chain.
 Pollution and Waste Management: Plastic pollution has reached crisis
levels, with significant environmental and economic consequences. Marine
litter, microplastics in water bodies, and plastic waste in landfills pose threats
to biodiversity, ecosystems, and human health. Governments, businesses, and
civil society are mobilizing to address plastic pollution through policies, clean-
up initiatives, recycling infrastructure, and circular economy strategies.
6. Legal Factors:
 Regulatory Frameworks: Legislative measures and regulatory frameworks
govern the production, use, and disposal of plastics at national, regional, and
international levels. These include bans or restrictions on certain types of
plastic products, extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws, packaging
 regulations, and product labeling requirements. Compliance with
environmental regulations and standards is essential for plastic manufacturers
to mitigate legal risks and ensure market access.
 Liability Issues: Legal liabilities associated with plastic pollution, such as
clean-up costs, fines, and litigation, pose financial risks for businesses
operating in the plastic industry. Companies may face legal challenges related
to product liability, environmental damage, and breaches of regulations,
underscoring the importance of risk management and corporate governance.
7. Ethical Factors:
 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Ethical considerations regarding
environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and ethical business
practices are increasingly important for companies in the plastic industry.
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives encompass efforts to reduce
plastic waste, promote recycling and circular economy principles, support
community engagement, and address social and environmental concerns along
the plastic value chain. Stakeholder expectations, investor pressure, and
reputational risks drive companies to integrate sustainability into their
business strategies and operations.

This comprehensive PESTEL analysis highlights the multifaceted external factors shaping the
plastic industry's operating environment, emphasizing the importance of strategic adaptation,
innovation, and responsible business practices to navigate challenges and seize opportunities
in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Conclusion

Paper Bag or Plastic Bag: which one to use?

Now that we have talked about the resources which are used up in paper bag
manufacturing. Then we discussed the pros and cons of both paper and plastic bags.

After gauging and assessing both of them we have concluded that they are equally
harmful to Earth in both the short and long term.

While plastic bags are low on energy in the manufacturing process, it takes centuries
to decompose. A paper bag takes up too many resources and leaves a huge carbon
footprint. Both of these things are quite bad in the long term.

The only thing that will make a difference is the way we use them. Our usage and our
wisdom will make a huge difference when we think of tackling the problem of waste
management as well as sustainability.

So, we will conclude that both paper bags and plastic bags are equal and it depends on
how we use them.

If you want to know about the different ways to reduce packaging waste or want to
use eco-friendly packaging options then you can check on these blogs for detailed
information.
BROWN PAPER BAGS

1. Political Factors:
 Regulations and Policies: Government regulations regarding the use of plastic
bags and environmental sustainability can significantly impact the demand for
brown paper bags. Policies such as bans or taxes on single-use plastics may
encourage businesses and consumers to switch to alternative options like
brown paper bags. Political support for environmental initiatives and waste
reduction efforts can create opportunities for the brown paper bag industry.
2. Economic Factors:
 Cost of Raw Materials: Fluctuations in the cost of raw materials, such as
recycled paper or virgin pulp, can affect the production cost of brown paper
bags. Economic conditions, currency exchange rates, and supply chain
disruptions may influence the availability and affordability of these materials,
impacting the profitability of brown paper bag manufacturers.
 Consumer Spending: Economic downturns or changes in disposable income
levels can affect consumer preferences and purchasing behavior. Brown paper
bags may be perceived as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly
alternative to plastic bags, particularly during periods of heightened
environmental awareness and frugality.
3. Social Factors:
 Environmental Consciousness: Increasing environmental awareness and
concerns about plastic pollution have led to a growing demand for
sustainable packaging solutions. Brown paper bags are often seen as more
environmentally friendly than plastic bags because they are biodegradable
and recyclable. Consumer preferences for eco-friendly products and brands
can drive the adoption of brown paper bags by retailers and businesses.
 Consumer Perception and Lifestyle Trends: Societal shifts towards
sustainable living, ethical consumption, and conscious consumerism influence
attitudes towards packaging choices. Brown paper bags may align with values
such as sustainability, simplicity, and authenticity, appealing to consumers
who prioritize eco-friendly options and seek to reduce their environmental
footprint.
4. Technological Factors:
 Manufacturing Innovations: Technological advancements in paper
manufacturing and bag-making processes can enhance the quality, efficiency,
and cost-effectiveness of brown paper bag production. Innovations in
materials, machinery, and printing techniques enable manufacturers to
produce durable, functional, and aesthetically appealing brown paper bags
that meet consumer expectations and regulatory requirements.
 Digitalization and E-commerce: The rise of e-commerce and online shopping
has created new opportunities and challenges for packaging providers. Brown
paper bags play a role in sustainable packaging solutions for e-commerce
businesses seeking to minimize waste and enhance brand image. Integration
of technology for order fulfillment, logistics, and customer engagement can
drive the adoption of brown paper bags in online retail packaging.
5. Environmental Factors:
 Resource Availability and Sustainability: Brown paper bags are typically
made from renewable resources such as recycled paper or sustainably
sourced wood pulp. Environmental considerations related to deforestation,
water usage, and energy consumption in paper production impact the
sustainability credentials of brown paper bags. Emphasis on responsible
sourcing, forest stewardship, and circular economy principles can influence
the environmental performance of brown paper bag supply chains.
 Waste Management and Circular Economy: Brown paper bags contribute to
waste reduction and recycling efforts by providing a biodegradable and
recyclable alternative to plastic bags. Policies promoting waste segregation,
recycling infrastructure development, and circular economy initiatives
support the recovery and reuse of paper-based packaging materials, including
brown paper bags.
6. Legal Factors:
 Regulatory Compliance: Compliance with regulations and standards
governing packaging materials, labeling requirements, and waste
management practices is essential for brown paper bag manufacturers and
users. Legal frameworks related to product safety, environmental protection,
and waste disposal shape industry practices and market access. Adherence to
food safety regulations and certifications may be necessary for brown paper
bags used in the foodservice and retail sectors.
 Product Liability and Safety: Legal obligations and liability issues related to
product quality, safety, and performance can affect brown paper bag
manufacturers and suppliers. Ensuring compliance with quality standards,
testing protocols, and industry best practices is crucial to mitigate risks
associated with product defects, contamination, or misuse.
7. Ethical Factors:
 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Ethical considerations regarding
sustainability, social responsibility, and ethical sourcing influence corporate
decision-making and stakeholder expectations. Brown paper bag
manufacturers may engage in CSR initiatives focused on environmental
stewardship, community engagement, and supply chain transparency.
Transparent communication, ethical business practices, and stakeholder
engagement are integral to building trust and credibility in the brown paper
bag industry.