Smurfit Kappa celebrates European Paper Bag Day amidst growing demand from sustainable shoppers

Smurfit Kappa is celebrating the second annual European Paper Bag day to champion the benefits of paper carrier bags over non-recyclable alternatives.

Demand for the paper bags has grown steadily over the last few years with the Smurfit Kappa Sangüesa and Nervion Paper Mills in Spain providing a large paper portfolio for different types of bags, including supermarket carrier bags and bags for leading clothing boutiques, which have been used widely across Europe.

European Paper Bag Day was created by “The Paper Bag” platform, Europe’s leading association for kraft paper manufacturers and paper bag producers, to educate consumers about the benefits of paper carrier bags.  

Smurfit Kappa drew on its high quality paper portfolio to produce a strong, lightweight and efficient alternative for paper bag producers that performs well under wet conditions and has had an overwhelmingly positive response from shoppers. 

A growing number of shops across Europe are switching to paper bags in the wake of EU plans to ban many single-use plastic items by 2021.

Smurfit Kappa’s Better Planet Packaging initiative seeks to reduce packaging waste and address the issue of waste and litter that ends in oceans and landfill.

Laurent Sellier, COO of Smurfit Kappa Paper Europe, said: “We’re delighted to once again support European Paper Bag Day. At Smurfit Kappa, we are continually exploring ways in which paper can be used as a sustainable alternative to less recyclable materials. 

“Paper is 100% recyclable, biodegradable and renewable so it is a viable option for many products.”

To mark European Paper Bag Day, Smurfit Kappa has planned a series of events including inviting two local schools to the Sangüesa Paper Mill to bring to life the environmental benefits of paper.