NaKu – everything else belongs in the museum!
Better than paper!
Aren't paper bags the most environmentally friendly alternative to plastic bags?
Paper bags only look eco-friendly, but they are actually worse for the environment compared to plastic bags. This is because no recycled paper, i.e. waste paper, is used for paper bags, but almost always fresh fibres. Fresh fibers are much longer than the fibers of recycled paper and ensure that the paper bags are more tear-resistant. In order to have the same tear resistance as plastic bags, twice as much material is needed for paper bags. So when it comes to resource consumption, the paper bag performs worse than the plastic bag.
But the paper bag also performs worse than the plastic bag in terms of energy and water consumption. Manufacturing the tear-resistant fibers requires a great deal of water and energy, as well as the use of chemicals. The ecological balance of this plastic alternative is therefore worse than the petroleum-based product. On average, paper bags have to be used at least three times for the climate balance to even out.
How about recycled paper bags?
Paper bags are usually not made from recycled material, as the paper fibers are shortened during the recycling process and are therefore less tear-resistant. Even if paper bags were made from waste paper, recycling would not be a good idea in this case. Because the printing inks on written paper such as newspapers or magazines contain large amounts of mineral oil compounds: so-called MOSH (“mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons”) and MOAH (“mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons”). The problem with this: These substances are carcinogenic and can become dangerous for us when they come into contact with food.
Contamination does not necessarily require direct contact between the food and the paper. The harmful substances can get into our food via evaporation and recondensation in the food. Even plastic packaging does not protect against contamination.
What alternatives to plastic and paper are there?
Plastic bags are forbidden in Austria. Paper bags are even more polluting than plastic bags.
An environmentally friendly alternative, apart from reusable, of course, is bioplastic. NaKu bags are made from natural and renewable raw materials and are in many ways more environmentally friendly than plastic and paper bags. In comparison, NaKu offers a number of advantages.
advantages over paper
By using rapidly renewable raw materials, our NaKu bag causes only about half as many CO2 emissions as conventional plastic bags. Compared to a paper bag, which weighs significantly more for the same size, there are even less than half as many emissions.
For environmental protection and health, we do not add any harmful substances such as bisphenol A, antimony or phthalates.
The NaKu bags are significantly lighter than paper bags. As a result, we need significantly less raw materials in production - we pass this price advantage on to you.
With our NaKu bags you can keep your groceries such as bread, vegetables and fruit fresh for longer. In a study by the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Vienna, apples, mangoes, tomatoes, chanterelles, lettuce, bread and rolls were stored in three different ways: open, in plastic bags and in NaKu bags. The result is clear. Bread, for example, lasts more than twice as long in the NaKu bag as when stored open and also retains its taste compared to the plastic bag. Apples keep their taste, especially when stored in the NaKu bag. The situation is similar for lettuce and other foods.
As a result, less food is thrown away with our NaKu bags. Less food also means less CO2 emissions. With our NaKu bags you can make a valuable contribution to environmental and climate protection.
Other sources for reading and information
Planet knowledge: A short video about the myth that paper bags are better than plastic bags.
Environment Agency (Great Britain): Study on various carrier bags. Greenhouse gas emissions on page 33.
Your personal contact
Do you have any further questions about our NaKu bags or about individual printing of the NaKu bags with your company logo?
Moritz Zimmermann looks forward to hearing from you:
E-Mail: office∂naku.at
Phone: + 43 (0) 660 551 7789
(weekdays Mon – Thu from 09:00 – 16:30 and Fri from 09:00 – 14:00)
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