Twenty years or so ago being green' was seen as a little eccentric, and global warming was something that was nothing to do with the individual. But over the years the average British person is now far more aware of the environmental consequences of our modern lifestyle, and has become much more involved with looking after the planet and protecting its resources. You just have to think about the popularity of television programmes about self sufficiency and environmental awareness such as River Cottage to see how much things have changed.
Recycling is now a legal requirement in most local authorities rather than a personal choice, but it certainly made many people think about where their rubbish comes from; huge amounts of it seems to come from supermarket wrappings. Whilst some of the plastic containers and wraps may be useful for transporting foodstuffs and displaying it hygienically, the good old paper bag is far greener. Interestingly, paper bags are much better for storing food items like vegetables, as paper is breathable so the vegetables do not sweat like they do in a plastic bag, thus keeping fresher for longer.
Here at Morplan we have been supplying both paper and plastic bags to retailers for decades, and we are seeing an increase in the popularity of paper bags. Of course, there are certain shops that have always continued to use paper over the years such as bakers and sandwich shops but greengrocers and butchers are using paper more. Being greener is becoming such a grass roots attitude and not only is the public increasingly looking at the provenance of their food and its carbon footprint, but at the impact something as simple as food packaging can have. So, if you want your retail business to be a little greener consider the humble paper bag.
