We delve into sustainability in paper packing in our latest article.

It’s no secret that plastic is choking our planet, but the conversation about sustainable packaging often stays surface-level – focused on buzzwords like “eco-friendly” without examining the actual impact different materials have on our environment.

At Peter Marsh Group, we believe in looking deeper. When we talk about sustainability, we’re not just talking about recycling rates or carbon footprints. We’re looking at the full picture, especially the long-term environmental cost of materials like plastic compared to paper.

If your business still uses plastic sacks, here’s what that really means and why switching to paper matters more now than ever.

The Problem with Plastic Goes Beyond Visibility

It’s easy to dismiss plastic waste as a problem that’s “out there” – on beaches, in oceans, or floating somewhere else. But the real issue starts much closer to home.

In the UK alone, millions of tonnes of plastic waste are sent to landfill every year. Most of it will stay there for hundreds of years, releasing microplastics, methane and other pollutants into the soil, water, and air.

Consider this:

  • A standard plastic bag can take 500–1,000 years to decompose.
  • Once buried, it releases toxins as it breaks down—if it breaks down at all.
  • Less than 6% of flexible plastic used in packaging is actually recycled in the UK.
  • The rest is either incinerated or landfilled, both of which have serious environmental consequences.

This isn’t just a distant environmental threat, it’s a growing liability for businesses who continue to use plastic packaging.

Why Paper is Different

Paper sacks, especially those made by Peter Marsh Group, present a vastly different picture:

  • Decomposition: A paper sack breaks down in a matter of weeks or months, even in landfill conditions. It leaves no harmful residue, and no microplastics.
  • Recyclability: Over 70% of paper in the UK is recycled, often multiple times over its life cycle.
  • Material origin: Paper comes from renewable sources and all of our sacks are produced using FSC or PEFC certified materials from responsibly managed forests.
  • Lower emissions: Paper production emits significantly fewer greenhouse gases than plastic, especially when using recycled content.

Put simply: paper doesn’t just pollute less. It helps form part of a circular economy that returns materials back into the production cycle, again and again, which is why there is sustainability in paper packaging.

A Smarter Long-Term Strategy

Switching to paper sacks is more than just a sustainable gesture. It helps your business:

  • Avoid rising landfill and plastic tax costs
  • Align with UK and EU regulatory trends
  • Meet growing consumer and retailer expectations
  • Position your brand as forward-thinking and environmentally responsible

We work with businesses across sectors – animal feed, baking, seed, charcoal – to transition away from plastic. One client, a contract packing operation, told us:

“Our waste bills have dropped significantly, and we’ve had zero issues with shelf life or durability. Customers notice the paper packaging, and it’s now a key part of our brand story.”

Make the Right Kind of Impact

The difference between plastic and paper isn’t just a technical one – it’s a statement about what your business values.

At Peter Marsh Group, we make it simple to switch with:

  • Free packaging consultations
  • Custom sack prototyping
  • Eco-friendly materials built for your product and your operations

Get in touch today to request a sample pack or speak with our team. Visit www.petermarsh.co.uk or call us directly.

Let’s create packaging that works for your business and the world around it.