BillerudKorsnäs’ super strong Reusable Paper Bag brings carbon cuts to UK supermarkets

28 Oct 2020 --- BillerudKorsnäs is introducing its durable and CO2-reducing Reusable Paper Bag to UK supermarkets through an AB Group Packaging distribution deal. The move enables UK supermarkets to get up to speed with their European counterparts in offering paper carrier bags, having been slow to embrace non-plastic options, the Swedish packaging materials and solutions provider says.

The bag is made of Fibreform, a material first innovated over ten years ago, but not yet widely available in supermarkets. BillerudKorsnäs says the delay is the result of cost issues, a strong plastics industry and misperceptions that papers are weak and have higher climate impact.

Ultra-strength, improved life cycle
Incorporating Fibreform into a reusable paper bag means both a more sustainable production process and a longer-lasting product, says BillerudKorsnäs.

As “one of the strongest kraft papers in the world,” Fibreform can be used over long periods and for heavy weights. A laboratory test found the bag to break down after around 860 lifts when holding 16 kg.

The bag is also durable through all types of weather and resistant to tears, highlights sales manager Veronica Fylkner.

The Swedish environmental institute (IVL) made a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) on BillerudKorsnäs’ standard paper for carrier bags, showing the paper has lower climate impact than bio-based plastic, recycled plastic and fossil-based plastic.

The LCA of the Fibreform bag produced half the CO2 emissions of a paper bag made of 85 percent recycled paper and around a third of the emissions produced by bio-based or recycled plastic bags.The Fibreform bag produces around half the CO2 emissions of a paper bag made of 85% recycled paper, according to an IVL LCA.

The CO2 savings are achieved through reduced production energy and increased recyclability capacity, reducing end-of-life impact.

AB Group Packaging distribution
The bag is being distributed to supermarkets in collaboration with AB Group Packaging.

“Reduce, reuse, recycle – this is my vision of how the industry should operate in the future,” says Dermot Brady, founder and CEO at AB Group Packaging. 

“We are responsible for every product we put on the market; all should be renewable. We want zero negative influence when producing and using our products, and we are so pleased to be able to offer this product to the market.”

Supermarket’s face scrutiny over progress claims
While most UK supermarkets do not offer non-plastic bag options, the Reusable Paper Bag joins a similar trial by Morrisons supermarkets earlier this year.As “one of the strongest kraft papers in the world,” Fibreform can be used over long periods and for heavy weights. 

In August, Morrisons began a three-month trial with “sturdy paper bags” alternatives at eight of its stores. If successful, the chain plans an expansion across 494 stores.

The scheme could save 3,510 metric tons of plastic each year, equivalent to 90 million plastic bags.

The UK government recently announced plans to extend the single-use carrier bag charge to all retailers and increase the levy to 10p from April 2021.

The latest government statistics show the current levy, which stands at 5p and applies to any retailer employing 250 or more people, has led to a 95 percent cut in plastic bag sales in major supermarkets since 2015.

However, a 2019 survey showed overall plastic use, including packaging, has risen in seven of the UK’s ten top supermarkets, amounting to 900,000 metric tons annually. Only Waitrose, Sainsbury’s and Tesco had made slight reductions.

By Louis Gore-Langton