First Study Quantifies the Cradle-to-Gate Carbon Footprint of European Paper Carrier Bags

A New Baseline for Packaging Decisions

For the first time, the European paper packaging industry has concrete data to measure the environmental impact of one of its most ubiquitous products. A new study commissioned by The Paper Bag platform and conducted by the RISE Research Institutes of Sweden has quantified the cradle-to-gate fossil carbon footprint of European paper carrier bags. The findings, based on the market and technological landscape of 2024, provide a critical baseline for retailers and brand owners navigating the complex landscape of sustainable packaging in 2026.

The research focused on machine-glazed (MG) and machine-finished (MF) virgin-fibre kraft paper, the standard materials supplied by CEPI Eurokraft members. By analyzing the entire process from raw material extraction through production up to the factory gate, the study offers a comprehensive look at where emissions are generated in the supply chain.

The Numbers: From Small to Large

The RISE study examined three typical bag formats, revealing a clear correlation between material weight and carbon footprint:

• Small takeaway bag (20 g): 16.6 g CO₂e
• Medium shopping bag (55 g): 45.6 g CO₂e
• Large shopping bag (100 g): 82.9 g CO₂e

Perhaps the most revealing data point from the research is the distribution of these emissions. Approximately 67% of the cradle-to-gate footprint originates directly from the paper manufacturing process itself. The remaining 33% is attributed to converting operations, including adhesives, printing inks, electricity used during conversion, and transportation to the converters.

Strategic Implications for the Supply Chain

This data arrives at a crucial moment for the packaging sector. As regulatory pressures mount and consumer scrutiny intensifies, generic sustainability claims are no longer sufficient. Jan Lif, Secretary General of CEPI Eurokraft, emphasized that reliable carbon footprint data is essential for businesses to understand their supply chain emissions and measure industry progress over time.

The concentration of emissions in the papermaking phase highlights where the industry must focus its decarbonization efforts. While converting operations contribute a smaller share, optimizing adhesives, inks, and transport logistics remains a viable pathway for incremental improvements. The exclusion of recycled-content bags from this specific study also points to future research opportunities to compare virgin and recycled fiber footprints in this specific application.

As the industry prepares for the ninth European Paper Bag Day on October 18, 2026, under the theme "Carry the change," this empirical data provides a solid foundation for discussions on responsible packaging choices. It shifts the narrative from emotional appeals to data-driven decision-making.

The transparency demonstrated by The Paper Bag platform and CEPI Eurokraft in publishing these figures is exactly what the market needs to drive genuine decarbonization efforts across the packaging value chain. Will this baseline data accelerate investments in low-carbon papermaking technologies, or will it push converters to seek alternative materials? Follow The Paper for daily news, market signals and key updates from the global paper, corrugated and packaging industry. — Sigue toda la actualidad del sector en www.thepaper.ai