by AKANI CHAUKE
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – A South African company championing sustainable packaging has challenged widely held perceptions about plastic shopping bags, arguing that recycling alone is not enough to address the environmental impact of single-use plastics.
Traderbag, a supplier of customised paper shopping bags, says consumers are often misled into believing they are making environmentally responsible choices simply by purchasing recycled or recyclable plastic bags.
However, the company contends that the ultimate environmental cost remains largely unchanged.
Daniel and Declan Cherry, directors of Traderbag, believe many claims surrounding plastic recycling fail to tell the full story.
“Almost all single-use plastic bags are labelled as recycled and recyclable, but the conditions required for successful recycling are often not understood by consumers,” said Daniel Cherry.
“Recycling may delay environmental harm, but it does not eliminate it.”
The company argues that the real challenge lies in what happens to plastic bags after they leave retail outlets.
While South Africa has yet to implement a comprehensive ban on single-use plastic bags, more than 100 countries worldwide, including 34 in Africa, have already prohibited their use.
According to the Cherrys, retailers can play a significant role by offering practical alternatives.
They point to a recent trial with a discount fashion retailer, where paper shopping bags proved popular among consumers despite carrying a slightly higher price tag.
The bags sold out within days, prompting the retailer to adopt them permanently.
Founded two years ago by Daniel Cherry, Traderbag emerged from growing demand among retailers seeking sustainable packaging options.
The company has since worked with local suppliers to establish a South African manufacturing chain for customised paper bags.
“All our bags are produced locally using sustainably sourced paper and water-based inks, ensuring they are fully recyclable,” said Cherry.
The company has already secured major retail clients, including one of South Africa’s largest apparel retailers, which has replaced plastic bags with paper alternatives across its stores.
Declan Cherry said paper offers significant environmental advantages.
“Paper can be recycled multiple times and is biodegradable, whereas plastic eventually breaks down into microplastics that persist in ecosystems for centuries,” he said.
With environmental concerns intensifying, Traderbag believes the shift from plastic to paper is no longer a niche trend but an increasingly necessary business decision.
– CAJ News