Which paper bag is right for your business?

Since New Zealand's single-use plastic shopping bag ban took effect in 2019, paper has become a default choice for many businesses. But paper bags aren't new. Long before plastic became ubiquitous in mid-20th-century retail, paper was a standard way of carrying everyday purchases.

Even before the ban, attempts were being made to reduce single-use bag consumption. When major retailers began charging people for bags, that small fee introduced friction because previously people did not pay for bags and did not expect to, and now there was a charge people had to think: do I actually need a bag, or am I just taking one out of habit?

Replacing conventional plastic with paper changes the material, but it doesn't remove the resources involved in producing, transporting and disposing of a single-use item; or the financial cost to the business supplying it. So before deciding which paper bag to buy, the first question is whether the order actually needs one. Paper carry bags are of course functional for:

— Delivery orders, including meal, catering and grocery dispatch, where multiple items need to be contained

— Packaging multiple loose or fragile items that can't be carried safely by hand

— Café and bakery orders containing pastries, sandwiches, coffee beans or other retail products

— Takeaway orders where a bag helps keep multiple containers together and stable during transport

— Retail purchases where carrying time, presentation and potentially branding become considerations

— Markets, trade shows and events for merchandise, samples, collateral, purchases and gifting

For those orders when a bag has legitimate utility, the focus shifts to choosing the right one. Responsible sourcing is an important consideration, including looking for Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification and understanding what the specific FSC label means. From there, it comes down to matching the bag to its purpose — primarily its dimensions, paper specification and whether a flat or twisted handle is more appropriate.

READ MORE: Why our packaging is FSC® certified

Flat handle or twisted handle paper bags: which should you choose?

Neither handle style is inherently better than the other. The choice comes down to what the bag will carry, how it will be used, cost and the presentation you want to create.

Twisted handle paper bags use rolled paper to create a rounded handle that feels more substantial in the hand and creates the appearance traditionally associated with retail carry bags. This makes them particularly suited to apparel, homewares, gifting and other retail environments where the bag forms a visible part of the customer experience. They can equally be used for takeaway and delivery where this style is preferred.

Flat handle paper bags use a folded strip of paper to create a simpler handle that sits flat against the bag. They're a practical and economical choice for high-volume takeaway, food delivery, cafés, bakeries and everyday retail, and their flatter construction also makes them efficient to store.

Importantly, handle style isn't necessarily an indication of carrying capacity. Our flat-handle and twisted-handle kraft paper bags are both rated to carry up to 8 kg, so the decision can be based on the dimensions, paper specification and aesthetics rather than assuming a twisted handle is automatically stronger. We offer:

Twisted-handle kraft paper bag made from FSC RECYCLED paper

Medium flat-handle kraft paper bags made from FSC MIX paper

Small flat-handle kraft paper bags made from FSC MIX paper

Stock or custom printed paper bags?

Whether you custom brand your paper bags will largely depend on order volumes, storage and cash flow. Custom printed bags make sense when you have established volumes that can meet minimum order quantities and are ready to invest in branded packaging.

If custom print runs aren't yet accessible, or you're still evaluating which bag size works best for your business, stamps or custom stickers offer another way to keep your brand visible beyond the point of purchase.

READ MORE: Why should I custom brand my takeaway packaging?

When a bag is required, beyond the practical considerations of size and handle type, paper stock is another factor. FSC® certification provides assurance around responsible sourcing. Look for FSC MIX or FSC 100% for products containing material from FSC-certified sources, or FSC RECYCLED where the forest-based material is recycled.

Reuse is another way to reduce resource consumption. Paper carry bags can often be used multiple times for future errands, shopping or carrying other items before reaching the end of their useful life. Once they can no longer be reused, clean paper bags can be placed in standard kerbside recycling in New Zealand.