Shopping bags in Pakistan are made from different materials such as silk, polypropylene, jute, Manila reed, bamboo and cotton. Almost all these materials are used for manufacturing shopping bags. Some of the prominent brands that manufacture shopping bags include Hachem, Sarawak Container, Sun Brands, Carron, Linta, Iqbal and many more.

How Shopping Bags Are Important For Pakistan?

Most plastic shopping bags nowadays are also biodegradable and serve dual purposes. In other words, they are useful for shopping and also make for an environmentally friendly option. Plastic shopping bags also come in various colors, designs and shapes. It's a common belief that reusable paper bags indeed are better than non-recycleable ones. However, recent studies show that many plastic shopping bags contain heavy metals such as lead, which are very harmful to the human body.

Reusable plastic shopping bags are mostly used in supermarkets and other retail stores. These shopping bags make it easy for consumers to shop because the bags do not consume much of their time and effort. Most paper bags used in Pakistan are used as carry-on luggage while shopping. This is mainly because of the convenience and comfort provided by shopping bags. Paper bags are available in almost every color, shape and size.

There are several reasons why shopping bags should be chosen over other options such as cloth shopping bags. One reason is that cloth shopping bags are usually much heavier than plastic ones. Therefore, people usually carry them to supermarkets to carry their groceries. However, these shopping bags often get dirty very fast because of the water on the supermarket floor and also because of the oily soil from the supermarket floors. In addition to this, consumers find that paper bags absorb the smell of food very quickly when they are washed. Paper bags are also very hard to clean.

Are plastic bags banned in Pakistan?

Another reason is that these shopping bags have a very short lifespan because they are made of low-quality polythene bags which are not durable and are not good for shopping purposes. Polythene bags made of low-quality material may break very easily and may also absorb chemicals very quickly. Low-quality polythene bags are not washable therefore consumers must throw them away after using them. Some manufacturers even add harmful chemicals onto the polymer. It is important to avoid shopping bags with polythene that has been treated with chemicals.


Plastic shopping bags in Pakistan are not biodegradable and do not decompose. Therefore, these shopping bags add to the garbage in our landfills. The government of Pakistan along with many organizations has taken action against these shopping bags because they are harmful to the environment. Therefore, reusable kraft paper bags have been made mandatory for all merchants in Pakistan. This is done as a part of the global efforts to conserve natural resources.

Cloth shopping bags are usually used for household purposes and are considered as good for the environment. Cloth shopping bags made of natural fiber can be machine washed and can be rewashed; they are also washable. The price is also on the higher side when compared to plastic ones. However, people carry them to supermarkets to carry their groceries and to sell them for more money.

Conclusion

As I mentioned earlier, the environmental impact is highly unlikely for you to carry a shopping bag for your groceries when compared to plastic ones. It is also highly unlikely for you to be able to use a plastic one for years; it is not able to withstand the wear and tear factor. Cloth shopping bags which are made from natural fibers like wool, jute and cotton can hold up for many years and do not tear easily. These shopping bags also have the advantage that they can be machine washed unlike the plastics. When looking for a shopping bag, I would highly recommend you to consider the advantages that cloth shopping bags offer compared to plastic ones and I am sure that you would agree with me.