What Are Takeaway Bags Made From?

The impact that plastic packaging is having on the planet is becoming more obvious to all of us, and many businesses are looking to make changes so that they can become more eco-friendly. One of the major changes that food businesses in particular are having to make is changing the packaging their food comes in.

In past years, plastic and polystyrene have all been featured in takeaway boxes and bags, which are both detrimental to the environment. Businesses are making the switch to recyclable and biodegradable takeaway bags to give themselves and their customers’ peace of mind that they are doing what they can to make a change for the better. Read on as we take a closer look at takeaway bags, past and present, and why companies are deciding to make the change.

Why are recyclable takeaway bags important?

Over the years, many takeaway businesses have made the change to recyclable packaging, as an alternative to traditional plastic bags. More takeaway businesses must make this change so that the environment can benefit. Takeaway food containers are some of the most likely to be discarded incorrectly, with some eating on the go – meaning that these plastic bags used to carry food can end up as litter. Plastic is not biodegradable. It can ruin habitats; it can be fatal to wildlife if they ingest it, and it contributes to further pollution of our oceans and landfill. Making the switch from plastic to recyclable materials mean that businesses can be more responsible when it comes to packaging and doing their bit to help the planet.

What are they made of?

Takeaway bags are usually made from plastic. If you’ve ordered a takeaway, or you’ve bought takeaway food from a market or festival, you will be aware of the thin plastic bags that they come in. As we mentioned above, this material is detrimental to the planet – it is not sustainable or eco-friendly. Thankfully as time goes on, more takeaway businesses are switching from traditional plastic bags to paper or cardboard. This is a great change for takeaway food companies to make, it helps the planet, whilst also providing a sturdy bag for us to carry our food home in.

Are they eco-friendly?

Recyclable paper and cardboard takeaway food bags are eco-friendly, a lot more so than the plastic variety! They are made from materials that are easy to recycle, whilst also being perfectly safe for the environment if they are not disposed of as they should be, the materials are simply broken down into the eco-system naturally. Not only this, but the way they are manufactured means they do very little damage to the planet, and many companies that produce this type of packaging work hard to reduce the amount of energy they use and are mindful of natural resources.

Can they be branded?

Thankfully, you don’t have to give up your branding to make the switch to recyclable takeaway bags – so really, there is no excuse! You can maintain your brand identity whilst also making a change to benefit the environment. Using branded takeaway bags is a good idea, as it is the first thing your customers will see when they receive their product. And, if your customer is like-minded and is also looking to help the environment with the choices they make, they will keep coming back to you if they know that you have made the change to recyclable materials.

Benefits of recyclable takeaway bags

There are several benefits that come with changing the material that your takeaway bags are made from, one of the most obvious being that they are sustainable and better for the planet. You can have your takeaway bags branded, which means you can spread the word about your company and provide professional packaging to your customers. Paper and cardboard are strong, so they are perfectly capable of carrying food, and they can be used again. Customers that are conscious about their carbon footprint are more likely to carry on using your company because you promote sustainable and eco-friendly processes. You can also have peace of mind that your business is doing all it can to make changes within your sector and pave the way for other takeaways to do the same.