PLASTIC CARRIER BAG

It has been estimated that some 1 trillion ‘one piece‘ bags are used across the world each year. This has caused them to become a major source of environmental concern, especially in developing countries with poor recycling facilities.

These figure have led to UK supermarkets charging for bags from Oct 2015. This move has seen an 83% reduction in use with each person using 25 bags in as opposed to 140 before the charge.

However, the polythene used to make these bags is highly recyclable and far easier to reclaim than paper as it only has to be heated to its melting point [130 C] to become molten.

Sorting plastics into the different types and their relatively low price means plastic recycling is not very developed in most counties. The USA only recycles some 25% of its 34.5 million tons, the UK achieves 44% but both compare unfavourably with Japan which claimed 86% plastic recycling in 2017. Films and carrier bags are the least recycled items and Local Authority kerbside collections in the UK only gather between 10 & 20%.

The one piece carrier bag was invented by Swedish engineer Sten Gustaf Thulin in the early 1960’s. These bags are a triumph of simplicity, combining low weight and great strength. They are made from extruded, blown polythene tubing. This is heat sealed into set lengths then printed and die cut to the shape of the bag.

DRAWING

The re-used bag depicted here is crumpled with folds and creases that challenge the draughtsman. The translucency created by back lighting makes the colours more vibrant but harder to capture. The light and dark areas defined by the folds provide an indication of the forms. However, it is the subtlety of these many creases, contrasted with the need to depict the overall shape, which proves difficult to capture. This basic structure is complemented by the distorted lettering as it flows across the undulating surface.

To order a print

click here to go to the PRINTS page.