THE team behind the reusable RePapaPac paper bag has told Packaging Scotland that it expects the ‘iconic’ product to become even more popular as a growing number of retailers look to take advantage of the solution’s practical, sustainable, and aesthetic benefits.
The bags – crafted from high-strength biodegradable paper – are manufactured in the UK by EP Group and marketed as being capable of holding up to 20kg and reused up to 50 times.
EP Group has already secured partnerships with major retailers including Marks & Spencer and Morrisons for the bags, which are fully recyclable and help businesses stand out by creating a canvas for striking branding and design opportunities.
Packaging Scotland spoke to Si McMahon, head of marketing and R&D for EP Group, at the recent Packaging Innovations exhibition in Birmingham, where RePapaPac was the official visitor bag for the event.
“We have developed this as the truly reusable paper bag,” Si remarked. “There are a number of factors that have built towards that. Maybe there’s a pre-set expectation of how paper will perform in terms of a shopping bag. We know there are ones out there that people get frustrated with. Obviously, there’s the desire to move towards paper, or certainly move away from plastic. EP’s general focus is sustainability first but it being the right solution. It doesn’t always have to be the lightest material; it’s got to be the right material. You can go for paper, but it doesn’t always have to be super lightweight.”
Si highlighted rigorous third-party testing which has been conducted on the RePapaPac bag, which confirmed both the durability and environmental credentials of the innovation. The bag is water and tear-resistant and a huge amount of work was done to ensure the handle and base – potential weak points – were up to scratch. A major selling point has been the ability to print high quality designs on the bags, with Si admitting that brands had traditionally never asked whether such a thing was possible.
He highlighted the fact that even high-end fashion retailers have tended to simply supply plain bags featuring just a logo.
By comparison, the M&S RePapaPac food hall bag, provided by EP Group, is, according to Si, the ‘most impactful and iconic’ bag on the high street. M&S has commissioned bold designs for the bags including a Union Jack, a Scottish Saltire, The Welsh Dragon, and a map of Ireland – all illustrated by food items.
“We’ve had a huge relationship with M&S for many years, but even for them it was a project to work on together,” Si added. “M&S always want to do things that little bit better. It was a big change for them. Any retailer would ask: ‘Is this a risk?’ You need somebody to go out there and do it and then prove it works, for people to jump on with it. We proposed having a design on there and as you can see, they went to town on it.”
Morrisons was the first major retailer to adopt the bag and EP Group has also enjoyed success on the continent, with a number of French retailers embracing the solution.
Si added there is a ‘massive opportunity’ for firms to offer a branded piece of merchandise that is ‘super environmentally friendly’. The company is currently on a mission to change perceptions about paper bags. At Packaging Innovations, where EP Group was also the official VIP Lounge sponsor, the business ran a competition where attendees were challenged to hold a RePapaPac bag filled with items at arm’s length for as long as possible. The contest was designed to showcase the durability and strength of the bags, with the winners earning a weekend break to London with West End theatre tickets.
“In the UK, we’re the biggest paper bag manufacturer and the RePapaPac is the most iconic on the high street,” Si concluded. “We feel we’ve just got the right combination with everything, in terms of the weight of the paper, the structure of the paper, the structure of the bag, and the print solution.
“We’re super proud of it. For me, this is one of those few solutions that really ticks all the boxes.”
