World Paper Bag Day 2022: History, Theme & Quotes That Drive Home 'Cut The Plastic' Message

 As the world is witnessing a surge in the pollution level every year leading to climate change, it is important to celebrate World Paper Bag Day and make people aware of the effects of plastic bags.

Representative Photo

New Delhi: World Paper Bag Day is observed every year on July 12. This day is celebrated to create awareness among people across the globe regarding the harmful effects of using plastic bags and make them aware of the benefits of choosing paper bags.  This day is celebrated to encourage the use of environment-friendly alternatives like paper bags, which are easily recyclable and can be decomposed as compared to plastic which takes millions of years to decompose.

 As the world is witnessing a surge in the pollution level every year leading to climate change, it becomes important to celebrate World Paper Bag Day and make people aware of the harmful effects of plastic bags.

World Paper Bag Day 2022: History

The production of paper bags can be traced back to the 19th Century when American inventor Francis Wolle invented his first-ever paper bag machine and patented it in 1852. After which Margret E Knight invented the second paper-bag machine which was capable of producing paper bags in the form of boxes that had a flat bottom in 1971. His machine got so much popularity that Knight came to be known as the mother of grocery bags.

Then in the year 1883, pleated sides were added to the paper bags by Charles Stilwell. In 1912, Lydia and Walter Deubener added strings to the conventional paper bag and made a handled paper bag. The Deubeners became the full-time producer of the paper bags and they also won the patent for their invention.

World Paper Bag Day 2022: Theme

The theme for this year’s Paper Bag Day is "If You're Fantastic, Do Something Dramatic to Cut the Plastic, Use Paper Bags".

World Paper Bag Day 2022: Significance

In the contemporary world, when environmental pollution and climate changes are the cause of concern it becomes significant to make people around the globe aware of the harmful effects of using plastic bags. Plastic bags are not only non-biodegradable but they are also non-recyclable, which are very harmful to the environment. Whereas paper bags are sustainable as well they are not harmful to the environment.

In 2015, United Nations Member States adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. According to the agenda, ending poverty and deprivation must go hand-in-hand with strategies that can improve health and education. The agenda further said that this needs to be done by tracking climate change and working towards protecting the environment by using environment-friendly alternatives rather than harmful and polluting plastic bags. 

Here are the messages that you can share with your friends to make them aware of this day.

1. Plastic bags are a kind of poison to the environment
2. Use paper bags and be an environment savior
3. Paper bags are the first step toward protecting the environment
4. Avoid plastic bags, use paper bags 
5. Paper bags are recyclable and do not pollute the environment
6. On this paper bag day chose a paper bag yourself and inspire others to choose it
7. Paper bag day is not only a day to aware people about the harmful effects of using plastic bags but also a day to take an oath to use paper bags over plastic bags
8. This paper bag day take an oath to make mother earth plastic-free
9. Choose plastic bags every time you get a choice and protect the environment from getting polluted
10. Paper bags can be reused many times that is why you should choose them over plastic bags