I have a fun question for you this morning. Did you know July 12th is Paper Bag Day #PaperBagDay? My question to you is paper or plastic when shopping and why? For me personally I like paper more than plastic but I will use either paper or plastic bags. David only wants to use plastic which is bad for the environment.
Charlie doesn’t care because he doesn’t purchase enough to make a difference. One day he will and that is why if we had still been homeschooling we would be studying paper bags and celebrating Paper Bag Day. Would you like to join David and I in celebrating paper bags today. If your teaching your children check out these crafts using paper bags.
Paper Bag Day (also known as World Paper Bag Day) occurs on July 12th each year. Paper Bag Day celebrates the humble paper bag, which does so much more than carrying our groceries. Today, millions of people choose to switch to paper bags for carrying their shopping, as the widespread use of plastic and its harmful effects on the environment at large, raises alarm bells in our collective consciousness.
How do paper bags aid us in the fight against environmental pollution and climate change? Firstly, paper is biodegradable, which immediately makes it a preferable alternative to plastic, which isn’t. Paper bags are also made of renewable raw materials, which encourage a sustainable lifestyle, as papaer bags can be recycled. This gives our environment a bit of a break too. Surprisingly, paper bags can be quite durable, too (except when soggy), and paper bags now have a more upmarket aesthetic appeal thanks to high-end brands popularizing minimal and sustainable packaging. So really, what isn’t to love about paper bags!
Though it is unclear who created Paper Bag Day, we can assume it must have been founded in order to raise awareness about important environmental issues like climate change and to promote a more sustainable lifestyle by introducing paper bags as alternatives to plastic bags.
What we do know is the history of the paper bag itself, which can be traced back to American school teacher-turned-priest-turned-inventor Francis Wolle. In 1852, Francis Wolle invented and patented the first paper-bag-making machine, after which Francis Wolle and his brother founded the Union Bag and Paper Company. They opened a paper plant in Savannah, Georgia, which employed 500 people and became a bit of a tourist attraction, as people would come by to see ‘1,000 feet of paper flying by per minute.’ The plant is still there to this day.
In 1871, Margaret E. Knight decided to refine Wolle’s design by inventing a machine that would produce paper bags with flat boxy bottoms. This improvement earned her the title of ‘mother of the grocery bag,’ as this was the key template for the foldable paper bags we use today. In 1883, Charles Stillwell tweaked Knight’s design further, adding pleated sides to the paper bag in order to make it easier to carry, fold, and store.
Charles Stillwell invented the machine to produce this design and then, in 1912, Walter Deubener added a cord to reinforce the paper bags and handles for ease of carrying. Thus the final product, which is the paper bag of today, which is clearly a combined effort of all these inventors. So we have many to thank!
LET’S CELEBRATE PAPER BAG DAY
- If you and your friends and family haven’t already done so, there is no better day to make an informed decision to switch to using paper bags for most of your shopping. We’re not asking you to take our word for it, but do the necessary research to find out how paper bags can reduce the use of plastic, help promote sustainability, and protect the Earth’s finite resources and share the facts with everyone you know.
- Paper bags can be fun, too. Many craft activities can be done with kids, using paper bags. Furthermore, paper bags come in handy due to their uses. Did you know that paper bags work better than wipers to clean windows? Try it and see. Then you should look up the many hacks and uses for paper bags.
- Learn how to recycle your paper bags. If they are still in good condition, store them carefully for reuse. If they are damaged, they can be used in composting, as well as for wrapping food items including Garlic and Onions. Find out more at your local recycling center, too.
USES FOR PAPER BAGS
- Less is more, and the minimal look of a package wrapped in paper with a bit of twine makes for an elegantly wrapped gift.
- Since paper bags are 100% recyclable and only take a month to decompose, papaer bags are great additions to compost.
- Not only does storing fruit in paper bags ripen the fruit, but it also keeps the fruit in good condition.
- Yu can get crafty with paper bags and the ideas out there for turning paper bags into a frun craft you can find online
WHY PEOPLE LOVE PAPER BAG DAY
- Paper Bag Day is all about choosing to be more sustainable and eco-friendly, as we grapple with the all-too-real crises like climate change and globalization. A simple switch from plastic to paper can help make an impact and the best part is that everyone can do it.
- This may be obvious, but how often do we take the time to celebrate seemingly insignificant things that actually can be of major significance in the long run? Paper bags are toxin-free and safe for use, so we’re glad we have a reason to appreciate this invention.
- If you want to do your part to ensure that the next generation does not experience doomsday early due to global environmental crises that are making life on Earth more of a challenge? Conscious decisions like switching to paper bags and choosing recyclable materials for everyday use are what can help combat these universal challenges and ensure a sustainable future.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
