Between the 1950s and 1980s, carrier bags were either made of plastic or paper, although the latter was the favoured material up to the 1980s. The main types of paper used in paper bag making were imported kraft paper and wrapping paper. Rectangular pieces of cardboard were glued to the base and handles to make the bag sturdier. The final step was to tie the red and white cotton twine, which was imported from China, to the bag or to cut out the handles from the bag. Most carrier bags were aesthetically appealing and informative. The space on the bag was transformed into visually captivating advertisements to promote products and services. When carried around, the bag became ‘walking’ advertisements.
