Kraft paper bags have become ubiquitous as eco-friendly packaging for coffee and other products. Their natural, earthy look and association with sustainability have made them a go-to choice for many brands and consumers.

But are kraft paper bags as green as they seem? Are they actually recyclable and compostable? Here’s a deep dive into the true sustainability of kraft paper packaging.

What is Kraft Paper?

Kraft paper is made from wood pulp that has been processed to remove lignin, leaving behind sturdy cellulose fibers. This gives kraft paper its signature light brown color and textured feel.

It was invented in the late 1800s and was originally valued for its durability. Today it is popular not just for its strength but because it is seen as a natural, eco-friendly packaging material.

The Recyclability of Kraft Paper Bags

In its untreated form, kraft paper is very recyclable. Most municipal recycling programs accept kraft paper bags and packaging along with other paper products like cardboard.

The paper is collected, sorted to remove contaminants, then pulped and cleaned to produce new recycled paper products. Kraft paper can typically be recycled 5-7 times before the fibers become too short to reuse.

The European Paper Recycling Council reported a 2020 paper recycling rate of 73.9% despite increased paper waste from COVID-19. This demonstrates that facilities exist to handle large volumes of recycled kraft paper and other paper products.

Barriers to Kraft Paper Recycling

While plain kraft paper bags are very recyclable, treated kraft paper faces more recycling challenges:

• • Multi-layer bags (like those with a foil lining) must be separated before recycling, a step not all facilities can accommodate.

• • Bags contaminated with food, oils, or dirt may not be accepted for recycling. Grease and oil can damage recycling equipment.

So while untreated kraft paper bags are highly recyclable, the recyclability of any one kraft paper package depends on specific factors like contamination and multi-material construction.

The Compostability of Kraft Paper Bags

Pure kraft paper bags, made of long virgin wood fibers, are also compostable. When sent to an industrial composting facility, they break down within weeks leaving no toxic residues behind.

Even kraft paper treated with compostable bio-plastic liners like PLA can usually be composted (though facilities have varying rules, so check first).

Either through recycling or composting, untreated kraft paper bags provide sustainable end-of-life options that minimize waste and environmental impact.

The Takeaway: Kraft Paper Can Be a Sustainable Choice

With proper handling, pure kraft paper bags are highly recyclable and compostable. They remain an eco-friendly packaging choice when left unbleached and free of non-paper liners and laminates.

Treated kraft paper also has sustainability benefits over plastics, but may face more limitations when recycling or composting.

So are kraft paper bags sustainable? In their purest form, yes – they break down with no waste or toxins, reducing strain on landfills. They can readily be remade into new paper products. Brands choosing kraft paper are making an environmentally responsible decision – when the material is handled properly after use.