NaKu – everything else belongs in the museum!
Better than paper!
Aren't paper bags the most environmentally friendly alternative to plastic bags?
NaKu explains: Paper bags may look environmentally friendly, but compared to plastic bags, they're actually worse for the environment. This is because paper bags aren't made from recycled paper, i.e., waste paper, but almost always from virgin fibers. Virgin fibers are much longer than the fibers of recycled paper and make the paper bags more tear-resistant.
To achieve the same tear resistance as plastic bags, paper bags require twice as much material. Therefore, when it comes to resource consumption, paper bags perform worse than plastic bags.
But the paper bag also performs worse than the plastic bag in terms of energy and water consumption. The production of the tear-resistant fibers requires a great deal of water and energy, as well as the use of chemicals. The ecological footprint of this plastic alternative is therefore worse than the petroleum-based product.
On average, paper bags must be used at least three times to balance the carbon footprint.
What about recycled paper bags?
Paper bags are usually not made from recycled material because the recycling process shortens the paper fibers, making them less tear-resistant.
Even if paper bags were made from recycled paper, recycling would not be a good idea in this case.
The printing inks used on printed paper, such as newspapers or magazines, contain large amounts of mineral oil compounds known as MOSH (mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons) and MOAH (mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons). The problem is that these substances are carcinogenic and can be dangerous to 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 are there to conventional plastic and paper?
Conventional plastic bags are now banned in Austria, in accordance with the Austrian plastic bag ban. Paper bags are even more harmful to the environment than plastic bags.
An environmentally friendly alternative, apart from reusable packaging, is bioplastic.
NaKu organic bags are made from natural and renewable raw materials and are in many ways more environmentally friendly than petroleum-based plastic bags and paper bags. NaKu offers a number of advantages in comparison.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CO2 footprint of bioplastic carrier bags compared to paper carrier bags?
By using rapidly renewable raw materials, our NaKu bag produces only about half as much CO2-Emissions like 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.
How do the pollutants in bioplastic carrier bags compare to those in paper carrier bags?
For environmental protection and health, we do not add any harmful substances such as bisphenol A, antimony or phthalates.
How does the shelf life of food in bioplastic carrier bags compare to paper carrier bags?
With the NaKu bag made of bioplastic, you can keep your food such as bread, vegetables, and fruit fresher for longer. In a study conducted by the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, apples, mangos, tomatoes, chanterelle mushrooms, lettuce, bread, and rolls were stored in three different ways: open, in plastic bags, and in NaKu bags. The results are clear. Bread, for example, lasts more than twice as long in the NaKu bag than when stored openly and also retains its flavor compared to the plastic bag. Apples retain their flavor particularly well when stored in the NaKu bag. The situation is similar for lettuce and other foods.
Thus, our NaKu bags mean less food is thrown away. 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?
Lizzy Weinert is looking forward to hearing from you:
E-Mail: office∂naku.at
Phone: + 43 (0) 660 551 7789
(weekdays Mon – Thu from 09:00 – 16:00 and Fri from 09:00 – 14:00)
[fwrsw_print_responsive_full_width_slider_wp]
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, we'll be happy to follow you back on your social media channels!
