Excuse us while we channel our inner Sophia Petrillo: Picture it, Green Bay, Wisconsin, 1991. A first-class postage stamp was $0.25, the USSR dissolved, minimum wage was $4.25 an hour, and Terminator 2 gave birth to the phrase “Hasta la Vista, Baby.” And here in Green Bay, the Eco-Natural® shipping bag was in the early stages of development.
Paper mailers may seem a relatively new player in the e-commerce market, but at WCI we like to say, “We Were Green Before Green Was Cool.” And that meant being a leader in paper shipping bag development. Our first natural linerboard mailer was manufactured in October of 1991 for a major retailer headquartered in western Wisconsin. We’ve quietly been manufacturing Eco-Shipper®, Eco-Natural®, and Dura-Bag® for a growing number of e-commerce and catalog companies ever since.
The benefits of paper shipping bags vs. poly mailers are appreciated by small eco-conscious companies as well as national brands taking steps toward sustainability.
Why paper shipping bags?
- They’re Sustainable. Paper comes from trees – a renewable resource. In fact, the forestry industry plans more trees than it harvests each year. The American Forest and Paper Association data shows that there are currently 20% more trees in the US than there were 50 years ago. According to the US Forest Service, more than one billion trees are planted in the US annually.
- They’re 100% Recyclable. Eco-Shipper® and Eco-Natural® shipping bags are easily recycled in your curbside recycling program. No need to separate them or run them to the grocery store receptacle. And the US paper recover rate has met or exceeded 65% for the last 10 years, with a goal of reaching 70% by the end of 2021.
- They’re Biodegradable and Compostable. Not only does paper come from a renewable resource – it breaks down in nature. Even if they’re not disposed of properly, your paper shipping bags will never become part of the plastic plaguing our planet’s oceans and wildlife.
- They’re Attractive. Whether you choose the crisp, white finish of Eco-Shipper®, the rugged look of Dura-Bag® with crisscrossed fiberglass scrim, or the casual simplicity of Eco-Natural®s – your products will be delivered in style. Unboxing continues to grow as part of the experience. Choose a package that enhances your brand image and your commitment to the environment.
But what if it rains? In 30 years of making paper shipping bags, we have had no complaints from end users of product being damaged after sitting in the rain. Learn more on our “How Strong are Paper Bags?” blog post.
Not sure what size you need? Check out our handy chart – or call our sales team at 800-544-1935 and they can point you in the right direction. We’re the experts when it comes to manufacturing paper shipping bags.
WCI has a proven history of producing high-quality paper shipping bags. We’re the experts. Trust us with your next packaging project.