The breakthrough carbon neutral bag is being offered by Stirling Fildes, an Australian-owned pharmacy labelling, printing, packaging and consumables company.
Australian Paper created the carbon neutral MG bleached paper for bags last year.
The paper to make the bags is certified to the National Carbon Offset Standard (NCOS), which is the Australian Government certification that sets the requirements for achieving carbon neutrality.
“By offering this first, we remain a market-leader in the pharmacy retail packaging industry, while helping to reduce our carbon footprint,said Stirling Fildes managing director Adrian Willoughby.
“We have a responsibility to provide sustainable packaging options for our customers who will ultimately reap the benefits,he said. ?he opportunity to work with Australian Paper is very exciting and we look forward to building on a better environmentally-friendly and sustainable range of products.
To date, Australian Paper has sold 50 tonnes of the new carbon neutral grade packaging product with a further 40 tonnes on order. One tonne of the paper equates to around 200,000 bags.
The paper bags will mainly be used for food, retail and liquor packaging.
Australian Paper CEO Jim Henneberry said that the NCOS-certified paper will benefit buyers with carbon neutral procurement policies in their organisation.
This latest development builds on an already extensive range of carbon-neutral paper options by Australian Paper.
“Australian Paper has always been an innovative, forward thinking company and the creation of this product further evidence that we are a frontrunner in the industry,Henneberry said.
“Our customers want environmentally acceptable, advanced paper choices they can be proud of and we have listened and answered their needs with this packaging paper option.
“This product gives companies and consumers the option to help the environment by reducing their carbon footprint through use of the unassuming paper bag,he said.
The new bag on the block also contains recycled paper that is locally made at Australian Paper's Maryvale Mill in Victoria.
Meg McDonald, CEO of Low Carbon Australia, which has officially certified the Australian Paper range of premium office paper as carbon neutral on behalf of the Australian government, welcomed Stirling Fildes'
paper bag initiative.
“By using these paper bags Stirling Fildes' leadership is a beacon for others wanting to make a difference to their environment through making carbon neutral choices,she said.
BJ Ball is the exclusive merchant of the carbon neutral bag paper grades in Australia.
"We are excited to be part of the supply chain for this world first carbon neutral product and applaud both Australian Paper and Stirling Fildes for their commitment to sustainable manufacturing and procurement,said BJ Ball Papers national sales manager Luke Wilkinson.
