This view may be strange, but it is indeed the golden age of plastic bags. Despite the ban on plastic bags and the aggressive attacks by environmental groups, it is undeniable that plastic has become the material of choice for food and beverage packaging because it can control costs and increase efficiency while catering to different consumer groups.
A recent study by the Packaging Machinery Manufacturing Industry Association (PMMI) in the United States showed that plastic bags were selected in the top-ranking list in North America and are expected to show significant growth from 2010 to 2020.
Environmentally friendly quality
The biggest driving force behind this should be its environmental friendliness. All retailers are afraid to touch the growing “green” sensitive nerves of consumers. Compared with plastic bottles, plastic bags can greatly reduce the space for landfill. At the same time, some plastic bags can be completely biodegradable. “Furthermore, compared to plastic bottles, plastic bags require less shipping infrastructure, which saves fuel.” PMMI's report said, “With the same volume of beverages, using a bag requires a truck to ship, using a glass or plastic bottle. You need nine trucks."
In order to promote the further development of this trend, retail giant Wal-Mart (Canada) launched its so-called sustainable development scorecard in July 2009, aiming to increase public awareness of its environmental awareness. “Wal-Mart hopes that producers will allow them to print low-carbon markers on their shelves, demonstrating that the products Wal-Mart has purchased can reduce the impact on the environment,” said Mark Lichtblau, vice president of Haremar Plastic Products. “In fact, better reviews should come from To minimize the packaging of goods.” As retailers began to follow suit, Lichtblau said that this would create business opportunities for plastic bag manufacturers, as more investors invest in plastic bags than other bottles or boxes.
Convenience is the truth
Another great driving force is convenience. “What consumers want, especially for processed foods and frozen foods, is to have better barrier properties and longer product shelf life,” said Sanjay Amin, supplier manager for packaging equipment manufacturer Mamata Machinery.
There is also a market where the convenience is reflected in reusable products. "Consumers can buy a plastic bottle of liquid soap and then buy the product in a plastic bag and repeat it," said Mark Lichtblau. "This will reduce the amount of plastic bottle filling and it will make consumers feel good when shopping."