From zero-waste supermarkets to major restaurants phasing out plastic straws, a war on single-use plastics has been started around the world—British supermarket chain Iceland is now looking to do its part by reintroducing paper grocery bags to consumers.
As part of a trial, Iceland will be seeing if consumers respond to using the alternative grocery bags, which are branded with #TooCoolForPlastic. The white paper shopping bags are recycled, biodegradable and will be offered to shoppers at select locations for a small fee.
Back in January of this year, Iceland resolved to become the first major retailer in the world to go plastic-free and it is working towards eliminating all plastic packaging from its own-brand items by the year 2023.
Plastic-Free Grocery Bags
Iceland is Aiming to Reduce Plastic Waste with Paper Grocery Bags
Trend Themes
1. War on Single-use Plastics - Iceland's reintroduction of paper grocery bags highlights the ongoing trend of businesses and organizations taking measures to reduce single-use plastics.
2. Zero-waste Supermarkets - The trial of paper grocery bags by Iceland aligns with the trend of zero-waste supermarkets, which aim to minimize the use of plastics and other non-recyclable materials.
3. Sustainable Packaging Solutions - Iceland's commitment to eliminate plastic packaging and the introduction of paper grocery bags reflects the growing trend of businesses seeking sustainable packaging solutions.
Industry Implications
1. Retail - The retail industry has an opportunity to embrace sustainable practices by exploring alternative solutions like paper grocery bags.
2. Food and Beverage - Restaurants and supermarkets in the food and beverage industry can benefit from adopting paper grocery bags as part of their sustainability initiatives.
3. Packaging - The packaging industry has the potential to disrupt traditional plastic packaging by offering innovative and eco-friendly alternatives like biodegradable paper bags.