Overview

Opal is an innovative, solutions-led paper and packaging manufacturer focusing on consumer insight and customer collaboration. Due to environmental concerns, most states and territories in Australia have introduced a ban or a commitment to ban a variety of single-use plastics in many sectors, including hospitality and retail. As a result, paper shopping bags are increasing in popularity and providing a viable alternative to plastic bags.

Many retailers are also turning to importing paper bags from overseas. To meet rising customer and consumer demand, Opal is utilising both local Australian wastepaper and wood, to convert into paper bags.

Opportunity

To provide an alternative to plastic bags and ensure that manufacturing remains local, Opal has invested in high-tech brown paper bag technology to produce retail paper bags at our Opal Bag Solutions site in Thomastown, Victoria. Opal’s paper bags are 100 per cent Australian made and are created from at least 70 per cent recycled paper. Opal also has the functionality to produce 100 per cent recycled paper bags.

Once consumers have no further use for them, Opal’s paper bags can be disposed of in kerbside recycling bins to be recycled.

The importance of locally made paper bags means there’s no need for international freight and no risk with overseas supply chain issues.

Outcome

With Opal’s bag-making technology, we can supply retailers with an alternative to plastic bags and deliver a fibre-based recyclable solution. The manufacturing of our paper bags not only provides our customers with a plastic-free substitute but contributes positively to the Australian economy through the support of local jobs. By introducing brown paper bag technology at our Thomastown site, Opal has created new local production jobs.

Opal supplies Woolworths stores across Victoria and New South Wales with recyclable brown paper bags to replace single-use plastic bags. In South Australia, we also supply paper bags for Woolworths’ customers who place orders online.

The bags have been tested for strength and durability to ensure they can hold your items and have been verified to carry up to 6kg of weight.

Contact

For sales enquiries contact Stuart Adams – stuart.adams@opalanz.com