Abstract: A paper bag containing flexible articles maintained in a state of compression in a direction substantially parallel to their thickness. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the bag totally encloses the stack of compressed flexible articles and exhibits a substantially rectilinear shape. The bag preferably includes an opening device in one of the side panels. The opening device contains an internal reinforcement sheet made of biodegradable and/or recyclable material. The reinforcement sheet provides additional support for the opening device that is under tension created by the compression of the flexible articles. At the lowermost end of the opening device there exists a loose flap which creates an aperture in the side panel when a manual grasping force is applied to the tear flap. The bag preferably includes a carrying device provided in an extension of the top panel of the paper bag.