Today is World Paper Bag Day!
Yep, Pulp poaper bag enthusiasts, this renewable resource has it’s very own day. An excellent and vital 24-hours dedicated to bags made from paper. Do you hear us rejoicing?
Paper over plastic is now a common phrase, but it wasn't always the way. It took humans decades to realise that plastic bags were detrimental to the planet. This day was invented to draw attention to this fact and to help spread awareness. Mmhmm. The first paper bag-making machine was developed in 1852 by Francis Wolle, on you-guessed-it July 12. He started a company called “The Union Bag and Paper Company”, which hired women to work in their factories during WW2. How agreeable!
The machine produced 1,800 bags an hour! These first bags were folded like aerograms (letters, much like the Pigeon Post we sell!). They could not stand up independently, had to be held while filled, and could not hold heavy or bulky items like groceries or hardware. Talk about sensitive. Just kidding, they were still a super awesome invention!
Anyway, 20 years later, a woman named Margaret E. Knight had some insight and invented and patented a machine to make flat-bottomed paper bags.
This made life easier for everyone. Hooray for Maggie! Knight would receive dozens of patents for different inventions (also a machine that makes shoes, the humble cooking spit and a clasp for robes) and became a symbol of women’s empowerment. She was even decorated by the Queen of England in 1971. Exemplary!
And if ‘everyone’ is still in the market for paper bags, we have so very many variants to choose from. Let us take you through some doozies.
Waxed paper carrying bag
Why are waxed paper bags unique? Because they’re moisture resistant, have non-stick properties and are still biodegradable! That means you can pop in several types of objects, and ever-so safely so. “Like what?!” I hear you howl. Like foodstuffs! Dimensions are w220 x d120 x h210mm. So you can carry beverages, cake, salad or extra packets of minties! What a treat!
Paper treat bags
And speaking of treats and foodstuffs … It does what it says on the bag! These paper treat bags are specifically designed for your very special homemade treats. Homemade treats like ‘healthy’ brownies, cupcakes, or doughnuts. Bake’n’share with your nearest and dearest. In yellow, pink, and blue, they are unique, fancy, sugary (or non-sugary) delectables. After a party these bags will end up with your kids/family/classmates/gym buddies!
Kraft bags with a window!
For all the things that need to be seen from their little paper package. For what, pray tell? Imagine a doting Nana offering her granddaughter a lovely crocheted soft toy. Its tiny bead eyes peer through the transparent window. Delightful. Or let's imagine the treats again because, let’s be real, what’s not to like about a brownie in a paper bag with a window?
Now that we have established that paper bags and treats are basically in the same category, we can reflect on and appreciate how excellent that is. Imagine if Margaret Knight had invented a paper bag machine that instantaneously deposits freshly baked croissants into them.
Hmm, now that gives us an idea. xx