The Irish Retailer’s Guide to Truly Eco-Friendly Paper Bags
From one shop owner to another: what you really need to know.
1. 70% of Irish Shoppers Prefer Eco Packaging — Are You Delivering?
Running a shop in Ireland — whether it’s a boutique, a pharmacy, a food counter or a local market stall — makes one thing clear: customers care about what they carry their purchase home in.
Over and over, people ask, “Are these made in Ireland?”. It shows they care — and they expect the same from the businesses they support.
Here’s what the stats are saying:
- 70% of Irish online shoppers prefer sustainable packaging (EPA, 2023)
- 64% choose eco products regularly
- 89% recycle consistently (CSO, 2022)
Packaging should match the standards of the people being served.
2. Buy Local, Buy Irish — And Mean It
Most retailers proudly promote Irish goods: cheese, jam, candles, crafts. Supporting local is part of what builds trust with the community.
But it’s just as important to apply that same thinking to suppliers — especially for packaging.
Some packaging companies put up Irish flags or use .ie domains, but quietly ship from the UK or further afield. That doesn’t sit right.
Paper Bags Ireland is different:
- Most of our bags are made in Ireland
- We support Irish jobs and local production
- We use Irish-based logistics to reduce emissions
If customers are being asked to shop local, suppliers should be held to the same standard.
3. What Imported Bags Really Cost — In Carbon
The emissions difference between locally made and imported paper bags is staggering.
Compare CO₂ emissions per pallet of paper bags:
| Source | CO₂ Emitted | Real World Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Made in Ireland | 5 kg | Driving to Dublin from Tipperary once |
| Imported from China | 400–600 kg | Return flight Dublin–New York OR driving from Dublin to Cork ~18 times |
Considering how many bags you go through, over a few pallets – the impact adds up fast.
4. Understand the New Rules — Don’t be Caught Off Guard
Ireland led the way, being the first country in the world to introduce a plastic bag levy in 2002. Now, to hold onto our green credentials, the regulations are ramping up — and they apply to nearly every business:
- Single Use Plastics Directive — bans certain plastic products and requires a shift to recyclable alternatives
- Deposit Return Scheme — makes packaging a front-and-centre consumer concern
- Packaging Waste Regulations — If your business places more than 10 tonnes of packaging on the Irish market annually or has a turnover above €1 million, you must register and report as a packaging producer. Even smaller businesses are increasingly expected to prove responsible sourcing.
5. What Biodegradable, Compostable & Recyclable Really Mean
| Label | Meaning | Applies to Our Bags? |
|---|---|---|
| Recyclable | Can go in standard recycling bins in Ireland | ✅ Yes |
| Biodegradable | Breaks down in natural conditions — eventually | ✅ Yes |
| Compostable | May either break down in natural conditions or else need an industrial composting facility | ✅ Yes |
Don’t caught out – make sure your supplier has certifications to back up what they say.
6. The Smart Retailer’s Checklist Before Buying Bags
- ✅ Is it genuinely Irish-made? Not just a .ie website with Irish flags that ships from the UK or further afield
- ✅ Does your supplier use mills with paper that’s FSC® or PEFC™ certified? Use traceable forest sources only
- ✅ Is the supplier clear about transport emissions? Local is cleaner
Any supplier worth working with should have clear answers.
