The Role of Biodegradable Carry Bags in Reducing Plastic Waste

The Plastic Waste Crisis: A Growing Global Threat

Plastic has revolutionized packaging and convenience, but it’s now among the biggest environmental problems. Every year, over 300 million tonnes of plastic waste is generated globally, and a large portion of this ends up in landfills, oceans, and urban drainage systems. In countries like India, where single-use plastic dominates the retail and food sectors, non-biodegradable carry bags significantly contribute to clogged drains, polluted soil, and animal ingestion fatalities.

The issue isn’t just litter—it’s long-term pollution. Conventional plastic bags can take up to 500–1000 years to decompose, breaking down into harmful microplastics that enter food chains and water bodies. Amid global climate goals and sustainability drives, this alarming data has led to strong regulatory action and the search for eco-friendly packaging solutions.

What Are Biodegradable Carry Bags?

Biodegradable carry bags are engineered to break down naturally in the environment over time, without leaving toxic residues. Unlike traditional plastic, they decompose through microbial activity, oxygen, and sunlight, eventually turning into biomass, water, and CO₂. There are several types of biodegradable plastics, such as:

  • Oxo-biodegradable (enhanced degradation using additives like d2w)
  • Compostable plastics (made from corn starch, PLA, etc.)
  • Bio-based plastics (sourced from renewable plant materials)

At Welpack Industries, we focus on oxo-biodegradable technology, which ensures standard shelf-life for usage and controlled degradation once discarded.

How Do Oxo-Biodegradable Bags Work?

Oxo-biodegradable bags are made from regular polyethylene (PE) mixed with a small percentage of pro-degradant additive (like d2w). This additive enables the plastic to:

  1. Degrade faster in open environments – under sunlight, oxygen, and temperature
  2. Fragment into micro pieces which are then consumed by microorganisms
  3. Leave no harmful residue, eventually becoming part of the natural carbon cycle

This makes them ideal for real-world conditions where waste disposal isn’t always managed via industrial composting.

Welpack’s oxo-biodegradable carry bags are tested to ASTM D6954 standards and suitable for general retail, daily shopping, and food delivery.

Government Regulations & Sustainability Mandates

Governments across the world—including India—are tightening rules around plastic usage. The Plastic Waste Management Rules (2016, amended 2022) in India restrict single-use plastic items, especially below 75 microns. As of July 2022, plastic carry bags below 120 microns are banned in most states.

Biodegradable alternatives like oxo-degradable bags help brands, retailers, and packaging suppliers stay compliant with regulations while projecting a green brand image.

🟢 Going biodegradable isn’t just about compliance—it’s about responsibility, branding, and future-readiness.

Where Are Biodegradable Carry Bags Used?

Biodegradable carry bags are now widely used across:

  • Retail & Supermarkets: for grocery, fashion, and general merchandise
  • QSR Chains & Restaurants: for delivery and takeaway packaging
  • Pharmacies & Clinics: for medicine kits and hygiene products
  • Fairs, Events, and Exhibitions: for branding and giveaways
  • Daily Urban Consumption: household, kirana stores, and delivery apps

Welpack supplies custom-printed biodegradable carry bags with company logos, size preferences, and export specs for every industry need.

Environmental Impact: Biodegradable vs Traditional Plastic

Parameter Traditional Plastic Oxo-Biodegradable Bags
Degradation Time 500–1000 years 12–24 months
Toxic Residue Yes (microplastics) None
Industrial Compost Need No No (degrades in open air)
Recyclability Low Moderate
Regulation Compliance Often non-compliant Fully compliant (in India)
Cost (bulk) Low initial Slightly higher, better ROI

💡 Biodegradable bags are slightly more expensive, but the long-term brand equity and compliance savings outweigh the cost.

🛒 1. Retailers & Supermarkets: Shift to Sustainable Checkout Bags

For modern retailers and supermarket chains, the plastic ban has created both a challenge and an opportunity. Biodegradable carry bags offer a compliant, environment-friendly alternative to single-use polybags. They can be printed with store logos, product barcodes, and campaign messages, all while projecting a responsible brand image.

🛍️ Welpack supplies custom-printed oxo-biodegradable carry bags to retail outlets, departmental stores, and shopping malls across India and abroad.

Benefits:

  • Bulk supply in multiple sizes
  • Handle or punch styles available
  • Recyclable and eco-safe
  • Custom branding for eco-conscious marketing

🍴 2. Food Delivery & Takeaway Packaging: Clean & Eco-Conscious

Food chains, restaurants, and cafes are under scrutiny for their packaging waste. Biodegradable bags, especially oxo-degradable ones, provide the right balance between performance and planet-friendliness. They resist moisture, grease, and carry moderate loads—ideal for takeaways, cloud kitchens, and delivery apps.

Welpack’s bags are available in:

  • Small to large sizes (up to 10–15 kg)
  • Food-safe materials with certifications
  • Options for bottom gussets or side seals

A growing number of QSR chains now prefer biodegradable carry bags to meet ESG goals and avoid plastic compliance penalties.

🏪 3. Pharmacies & Clinics: Hygiene with Responsibility

Pharmacies and diagnostic labs are among the biggest users of polybags for medicine kits, reports, and daily customer transactions. Oxo-biodegradable bags serve this segment well due to:

  • Their lightweight and clarity
  • Custom printing with logos, dosage info, or warnings
  • Short usage lifecycle followed by safe disintegration

🏥 Welpack works with local pharmacies and chains to supply clean, compact oxo-biodegradable carry bags with hospital-friendly aesthetics.

🎁 4. Events, Exhibitions & Trade Shows: Smart Promotional Packaging

Event organizers and corporate branding teams are now ditching regular polybags in favor of biodegradable alternatives for kits, brochures, and giveaways. With customizable options in size, shape, and color, biodegradable carry bags can double up as:

  • Event branding bags
  • Sponsor promotion kits
  • Visitor handouts or exhibition merchandise

This not only complies with venue rules but sends a strong sustainability signal to attendees.

🎯 Welpack has served many exhibitions across India with biodegradable carry bags in both matte and glossy finishes.

🏠 5. Urban Use: Daily Households, Kirana Stores, & E-Commerce

Urban waste management is strained by single-use plastic bags from kirana stores, online deliveries, and daily home purchases. Welpack’s oxo-biodegradable bags are:

  • Affordable for small shops
  • Reusable for short cycles
  • Disposed of safely by natural degradation
  • Compatible with basic storage or delivery use

Whether it’s vegetables, groceries, or lightweight hardware—biodegradable bags are gaining fast in small-town and metro India alike.

🌐 6. Export Markets: Demand from Eco-Compliant Countries

Many countries in Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia are phasing out single-use plastics and require biodegradable alternatives. Importers and wholesalers look for:

  • Bulk-ready biodegradable carry bags
  • With TDS, MSDS, and additive certifications
  • Suitable for retail repackaging or redistribution

🌍 Welpack Industries is already exporting to several regions with ready documentation, durable packaging, and international logistic support.

Sizes, Styles & Customizations Offered by Welpack

Welpack manufactures biodegradable carry bags in various formats:

Type Sizes Available Features
T-Shirt Bags 8×10 to 24×36 inches With handles, heavy load-bearing
D-Cut Punch 9×12 to 20×24 inches Premium, reusable retail bags
Loop Handle 10×14 to 18×20 inches Ideal for shopping or branding
Gusseted Custom Extra volume for food delivery, large goods

All bags can be supplied:

  • Plain or branded
  • Transparent, opaque, or tinted
  • With 100% oxo-biodegradable formulation

🔬 Testing, Certification & Shelf Life

Welpack ensures all biodegradable bags are manufactured to meet:

  • ASTM D6954 and EN 13432 guidelines
  • With shelf-life of 12–18 months under storage
  • Tested for degradation under sunlight and soil contact
  • Certified additive use (d2w, etc.)

We also offer COA, MSDS, and TDS for buyers who need quality assurance and regulatory documentation.

📈 Commercial Use Case Snapshot

Here’s how real industries benefit from switching to biodegradable carry bags:

Industry Challenge Biodegradable Solution
FMCG Retail Plastic ban non-compliance Custom oxo-biodegradable shopping bags
Food Delivery Greasy, wet packaging Food-safe moisture-resistant eco bags
Exhibitions Green branding requirement Printed biodegradable giveaway bags
Exports Regulatory blocks on PE bags Certified oxo-degradable bags with shipping support

Why Choose Welpack Industries for Biodegradable Carry Bags?

Welpack Industries is a trusted name in sustainable packaging solutions. With a full line of oxo-biodegradable carry bags, we cater to retail chains, exporters, pharma distributors, food businesses, and institutional buyers. Our manufacturing is backed by:

  • Certified biodegradable additives (d2w, etc.)
  • Bulk capacity with custom branding
  • Support for local compliance and global exports
  • Competitive rates for both plain and printed bags
  • Short lead times and flexible MOQ

📦 Order Packaging & Delivery Options

We offer:

  • Primary Packing: Poly-wrapped bundles of 50 or 100 bags
  • Outer Packing: Corrugated boxes or bales
  • Labeling: Product code, micron info, date, and branding (if any)
  • Shipping: Ready for domestic logistics and export containers (FCL/LCL)

Whether you’re a small distributor or a multinational chain—Welpack can scale packaging, branding, and delivery to your business needs.

Quick Selection Guide for Buyers

Use Case Recommended Size Thickness Color
Grocery Retail 12×16 to 16×20 30–40 microns Milky or printed
Food Delivery 10×14 to 14×20 35–50 microns White/transparent
Pharma 8×12 to 10×14 25–35 microns Transparent
Events/Branding 14×18 to 18×20 40–60 microns Colored + logo
Export Custom 35–60 microns As per buyer

Ready to Go Green with Your Packaging?

Let us help you switch to biodegradable carry bags that reduce waste, comply with law, and promote your green brand identity.

👉 Explore Our Oxo-Biodegradable Bags
📩 Contact Welpack Industries Today

15 SEO + Voice Search FAQs (Fully Answered)

  1. What is a biodegradable carry bag?
    It’s a plastic-like bag that decomposes naturally through environmental exposure, leaving no toxic residue.
  1. How long do oxo-biodegradable bags take to degrade?
    Typically 12 to 24 months, depending on sunlight, oxygen, and temperature exposure.
  1. Are these bags banned in India?
    No. Oxo-biodegradable bags meeting the latest micron requirements are permitted under India’s plastic waste management rules.
  1. What are Welpack biodegradable bags made of?
    High-quality PE plastic blended with d2w additive, enabling controlled degradation.
  1. Are Welpack bags certified biodegradable?
    Yes, we follow ASTM D6954 standards and provide documentation as needed.
  1. Can I get my logo printed on biodegradable bags?
    Absolutely. We offer custom printing in mono or multicolor formats.
  1. Are these bags safe for food use?
    Yes. Our bags are manufactured in food-safe environments using compliant materials.
  1. Do biodegradable bags cost more than regular ones?
    Slightly, but the environmental and regulatory benefits offer long-term value.
  1. What sizes are available?
    From 8×10 inches up to 24×36 inches; custom sizes are also offered.
  1. What is the minimum order quantity?
    MOQ depends on the bag type, usually starting from 10,000 pieces.
  1. Can these be exported?
    Yes. We export to eco-regulated markets with full shipping and certification support.
  1. Do these bags contain plastic?
    Yes, they’re made from polyethylene but enhanced to degrade naturally, unlike conventional plastic.
  1. Where are Welpack bags manufactured?
    In our India-based ISO-certified plant with scalable capacity and QC systems.
  1. Do these bags need special storage?
    Keep them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to preserve shelf life.
  1. How can I place a bulk order?
    Just contact our team, and we’ll guide you through product selection, samples, and delivery.