What Are Eco Friendly Bags Made of?

Reduce, reuse, recycle. We all know the phrase.

While reuse and recycle are fairly self-explanatory, there are lots of ways to interpret “reduce.” You could reduce the total amount of trash you create. You could also reduce your reliance on single-use and virgin materials. Or you could just aim for an overall reduced carbon footprint with each choice you make. 

One of the best choices to reduce your carbon footprint is by limiting the amount of plastic you use day to day. When you begin to audit how much actually goes in your trash can, it can be scary.

That’s where eco friendly “plastic” bags come in. Like plastic bags, eco friendly “plastic” bags can carry everything from your snack to your groceries. But unlike actual plastic, eco friendly bags won’t sit in a landfill until the end of time.

But exactly what are eco friendly bags made of? In this article, we will unearth the truth so you can feel good about your bag.

Defining "Environmentally Friendly” Bags

Single use plastic bags are traditionally made from high-density polyethylene resin, low-density polyethylene resin, and more. In short: chemicals and lots of them. But an eco friendly bag’s materials are considerably less toxic.

Environmentally friendly bags can be made from countless recycled materials. Consider these common kinds of eco friendly reusable bags:

• Paper bags 
• Cloth bags
• Jute bags
• Organic cotton bags
• And more

Eco-friendly bag materials are becoming more common as retailers rely on them as an alternative to plastic. One of the best things about recycled bags like this is they can be used again and again without tearing or degradation. And because reusable bags aren’t single-use, they are less likely to clog our landfills.

From Stalk to Shelf

Reusable shopping bags are a great way to make shopping trips more sustainable. But there is one kind of bag that traditionally hasn’t had an eco-friendly option: the humble zipper bag. However, this is changing, thanks to eco friendly materials.

Much like composting bags, biodegradable zipper bags are fully compostable (often when you remove the zipper locking mechanism). That is because they are commonly made from organic materials, such as corn.

Amazingly, cornstarch is great at providing a secure hold and a bag feel that acts just like plastic material. But, without the resistance to breakdown.

Other common eco friendly reusable bag materials include:

• Wood pulp, which offers strong bag structure
• Lactic acid, which creates strong bonds
• Soy protein, which is highly biodegradable
• And more

Notice how that list seems considerably more food-like than the ingredients in non-eco friendly bags’ materials? By using natural materials, we all win. Bag makers can create eco friendly reusable bags that will break down just like the food products they store.

Discover Eco Friendly Reusable Bags That Zip!

Purple Plumeria crafts environmentally friendly bags that can be used everywhere from your snack bag to your produce drawer. Our cornstarch-based bags even feature a zipping mechanism to keep your food safe and secure when stored.

Feel better about your food bags. Rely on eco friendly plastic bags that are strong and sustainable. Check Out Our Compostable Bags Today!