Under the main theme “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future,” sustainability was one of the three sub-themes during the World Expo in Dubai, UAE. This international exhibition, featuring 192 participating countries, welcomed 24 million visitors between October 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022. Two years prior to World Expo 2020, the tender for sustainable carrier bags was opened. Manufacturers and suppliers of carrier bags worldwide were invited to offer their most sustainable options. The contract for the official retail store carrier bag for World Expo 2020 in Dubai was awarded to Natural Bag for their carrier bags made of PaperWise paper. How did the tender process unfold and why did the organization choose PaperWise? Read more…

NATURAL BAG WINS GLOBAL TENDER WITH TREE-FREE CARRIER BAGS

Natural Bag specializes in tree-free paper carrier bags made of PaperWise and spent two years working on the tender for sustainable paper carrier bags for World Expo 2020 in Dubai. Following the publication of this tender, they did not hesitate for a moment and immediately submitted their “Tree Free Natural Bags” series, made from PaperWise paper produced from agricultural waste. World Expo 2020 had a strong focus on the tender criteria of sustainability and innovation. It had to be an iconic carrier bag that underscored the organization’s sustainability ambitions and mission. The PaperWise paper for these carrier bags consists of 100% agricultural waste—stems and leaves left over after harvesting. Consequently, no trees were cut down for these bags. But there is more…

TENDER CRITERIA: CONNECTING MINDS, CREATING THE FUTURE
Connecting people to create a better future together was the central theme of this World Expo. Suppliers were required to contribute to the sub-themes of sustainability, mobility, and creating opportunities through their products. The goal was to inspire people to take action and show that we are collectively responsible for a future-proof and inclusive society. “No matter how small the efforts, as long as they are done together, they will have a positive ripple effect on communities and the environment,” according to the organization. Products and services were highly valued if they contributed to inspiring technological progress and utilized natural resources. The organization was looking for examples of “best practices”—products and services that maximized sustainability awareness and the visitor experience.

ORGANIZATIONS WITH SUSTAINABLE AMBITIONS STRENGTHEN EACH OTHER

The conclusion that can be drawn in hindsight is that where sustainable ambitions align, beautiful collaborations emerge. Natural Bag has a clear vision: carrier bags should be made from renewable raw materials, be certified for composting, and be recyclable. Future-proof carrier bags designed for the circular economy. The PaperWise paper from which the World Expo 2020 Dubai carrier bags are made therefore fits seamlessly within Natural Bag’s sustainable range. PaperWise paper is produced in developing countries from agricultural waste. These are plant residues left over after the harvest that generate additional income for farmers. The processing of these residues, also known as secondary raw materials, takes place in a production environment focused on zero waste and ecological preservation. PaperWise is high-quality paper, certified for composting, certified for direct food contact, and CO2-neutral. The tree-free PaperWise carrier bags of World Expo 2020 Dubai are no ordinary bags; they prove that a sustainable transition is possible. Thanks to Natural Bag, World Expo 2020 Dubai was able to fulfill its ambitions of inspiring visitors and raising awareness of technological progress in the field of sustainability, while providing a tangible, valuable memory to take home…

NATURAL BAG RECEIVES CERTIFICATE FOR EXCEPTIONAL DELIVERY – SUSTAINABILITY

Following World Expo 2020 Dubai, Natural Bag was awarded the Certificate of Exceptional Delivery – Sustainability. According to the organization, Natural Bag made an extraordinary contribution to a successful event with its sustainable PaperWise carrier bags. Out of approximately 3,300 suppliers from 101 countries, 30 companies were selected to receive this exclusive certificate based on their product and commitment. PaperWise congratulates Natural Bag and is immensely proud of this great achievement!

THE ADDED VALUE OF SUSTAINABILITY IN FIGURES

PaperWise paper is unique in the field of sustainability and offers significant added value. This added value can be described as follows:

PaperWise;
creates extra income for poor farmers by adding value to agricultural waste (prosperity);
ends the unnecessary cutting of trees for the paper industry (biodiversity);
is CO2-neutral, efficient in land use, and does not compete with food (future-proof);
prevents smog and CO2 emissions by not burning agricultural waste in the fields (clean air);
is recyclable and certified for home and industrial composting (circular economy);
The environmental impact of PaperWise is 47% lower than paper made from trees (eco-footprint).

Extra income for farmers in developing countries contributes directly to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) numbers 1 and 2: No Poverty and Zero Hunger. This, in turn, helps fulfill numbers 3 and 4: Good Health and Well-being, and Quality Education. However, it is not just about which specific SDG an organization, product, or service contributes to. The interconnectedness—how they link together and strengthen one another—is what matters. The Sustainable Development Goals serve as the compass for PaperWise.

The choice made by World Expo 2020 in Dubai for sustainable carrier bags from Natural Bag and PaperWise can also be translated into figures. Over a 6-month period, more than a million carrier bags helped visitors transport beautiful memories home in a pleasant way, while consistently communicating a clear sustainability message. By choosing Natural Bag PaperWise carrier bags, World Expo 2020 made a concrete contribution to sustainability. In total, the organization gave a second life to 127,500 kg of agricultural waste. This saved 191,250 kg of CO2 because the agricultural waste was not burned (equivalent to driving around the world 4.7 times by car). Thanks to World Expo 2020 in Dubai, 918 trees were saved from being cut down. Altogether, 12.8 hectares of deforestation were prevented—an area the size of 14 football fields. A sustainable collaboration resulting in gains for both the environment and society.

SUSTAINABILITY & COMMUNICATION

This presented a new challenge for the organizers of World Expo 2020 Dubai. PaperWise paper carrier bags are extremely sustainable, but how do you convey that to the general public in an instant? PaperWise paper, made from agricultural waste, smells, feels, and looks like ‘normal’ paper, but it isn’t. And the general public is used to paper carrier bags being made from trees. How do you tell them that this is not the case?

The carrier bags play an important role within the marketing and communication concept. They were available in multiple colors and various sizes, featuring text in both English and Arabic. View the entire range of sustainable carrier bags for World Expo 2020 in Dubai here. In addition to the textual message: “This is not a normal paper bag, this paper bag is made of agri fibres” and on other bags: “Once upon a time I was waste, this bag was made from agricultural fibres,” all carrier bags were also equipped with a QR code for additional background information.

TOGETHER WISE WITH WASTE

And that is exactly what PaperWise aims to achieve together (with you): to inform and inspire as many people as possible. To make a connection. After all, it is only together that we can make a real difference and leave the earth future-proof for future generations. Let’s choose sustainability together. And let’s communicate about it together. By communicating about your sustainable choices, your organization achieves two things: you inform employees, customers, partners, and the public, but you also inspire others to follow in your footsteps and make sustainable choices as well. PaperWise is happy to help you get started with samples, information, and communication.