Plastic bags
What is a plastic bag?
There are two answers to this question. The first one is simple - it is a bag made out of plastic. But not only did you know that already, but it only goes a fraction of the way to actually answering the question.
Plastic bags are often referred to as polythene bags, or polybags. These terms, used to mean the same thing, are all perfectly fine, although the term ‘polyethylene’ bag is more accurate. Most plastic bags these days are made from polyethylene, more commonly known as polythene.
Plastic bags come in all shapes and sizes and cover a multitude of uses, from the trusty old carrier bag that helps millions of people take their shopping home to the specialist waste sacks required by hospitals or people dealing with hazardous waste.
Not to mention all of the bags in between!
Packing bags, waste sacks, bubble bags, anti-static bags, minigrip bags, mailing Bags, postal sacks, waste sacks, black sacks, dustbin bags, bin liners, zip seal bags, recycling bags, biodegradable bags, specialist bags, high tensile strength bags and PolyMax extra strong bags - there’s a lot of polythene bags out there!
How are plastic bags made?
Plastic bags are made from polyethylene, with three particular types of polythene - each of varying densities - widely used for manufacturing bags: low-density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE).
The exact process of making a plastic bag will vary according to the type of plastic bag in question, the density of the polyethylene and the characteristics that the particular bag will require.
However, there are a few common factors used across the manufacturing of each type of bag. Polythene bags are widely created using a method called ‘blown film extrusion’, also known as the ‘tubular film process’.
The ethylene polymer resin used to create the bags comes in the form of pellets. These pellets are placed into a hopper and melted before being extruded to form a thin tube by forcing cool air into the tube, usually vertically from the bottom of the tube.
Once the tube reaches the correct size and the plastic has reached far enough up the cooling tower and cooled properly, it is taken away and flattened.
At this stage the tube can either be split into two halves, with each side used as a flat sheet of film, or the two sides of the tube can be sealed across the width of the film, before being cut and/or perforated to make plastic bags.
Types of plastic bag
If you say ‘plastic bag’ most people think of a standard carrier bag. However, there are many different types of plastic bag. Here are just a few:
Clear plastic bag - standard plastic bag made of clear or opaque polythene
Coloured plastic bag - standard plastic bag made of coloured polythene
Plain plastic bag - standard plastic bag (clear or coloured) containing no markings
Printed plastic bag - plastic bag printed with a name, logo, design etc.
Carrier bags - the classic traditional shopping bag, available with vest, cut, loop, clip close or grip seal handle styles
Gusseted bags - plastic bags with expandable sides (gusset) and a fitted bottom
Self seal bags - simple plastic seal clicks shut and pulls open to use time and time again (also known as grip seal bags or mini grip bags)
Zip lock bags - plastic bags with a zip seal used to open or close the bag
Drawstring bags - plastic bag with a drawstring at the top that fastens to close the bag
Merchandise bags - premium plastic bags printed with a company logo, slogan or design. Ideal for presentation.
Layflat tubing - cut this poly tubing to size and heat seal for your own made-to-measure bags. Perfect for packaging awkwardly shaped or difficult-to-wrap items.
Bags on roll - a roll of bags, wrapped around a central core, each attached to the next by perforation. Easily detaches with a simple tug
Where can I buy plastic bags?
Manufacturers and suppliers of plastic bags include:
Polybags Bulk Sales
Polybags Bulk Sales provides a low cost bespoke manufacturing service for large volume UK polythene users and packaging businesses. Orders placed directly with the manufacturers.
www.polybagsbulksales.co.uk
Polythene-Bags
Polythene-Bags.co.uk specialises in polythene bags with a range that includes mailing bags, waste sacks, display bags and more. With over half a century experience providing polythene packaging we're sure you will find the very best in polythene and polypropylene products.
www.polythene-bags.co.uk
Buy Plastic Bags
A brilliant resource if you want to buy plastic bags, with the ability to order online direct from the supplier. Contains loads of information on the different types of plastic bags available to buy, how plastic bags are made, how to promote your brand with printed plastic bags and much more.
www.buyplasticbags.co.uk
Buy Polythene Bags
BuyPolytheneBags.co.uk offers an extensive guide to polythene bags. With loads of information about all types of plastic packaging, from self-seal bags to antistatic bags to eco-friendly ones. Order direct from the manufacturers at low prices and with free delivery across the UK.
www.buypolythenebags.co.uk
Polybags Ireland
Online retailer of poly bags and polythene packaging offering the Irish the chance to save an extra 21% of all packaging products range.
www.polybags.ie
Polythene Bags
Dedicated division of a major UK packaging supplier and manufacturer, devoted to polythene bags. Working with polythene bags for over 50 years and now offering an increasing range of environmentally friendly products across the packaging spectrum.
www.polythenebags.co
Discount Polybag
International distributor of polythene packaging. Discount Polybag work direct with the manufacturer and can therefore extrude polyethylene film and make polythene bags to suit any order at a price that is right for you.
www.discountpolybag.co.uk
Polythene Bags
Polythene bags and plastic carrier bags specialist providing information about polythene bags, packaging and manufactured bags. All polythene packaging available direct from the manufacturers at low prices that don't compromise the quality.
www.polythenebags.eu
Discount Plastic Bags
Lists discount suppliers of shopping bags, polythene carrier bags and clear plastic bags. Discover how plastic bags are made, the differences between low and high density polythene and what eco-friendly options are available.
www.discountplasticbags.co.uk
Cheap Plastic Bags
Cheap plastic Bags has loads of information on plastic bags with useful links for you to buy quality products at great prices. Find out more about clear plastic bags, heavy duty plastic bags, resealable plastic bags, biodegradable plastic bags and more on this helpful website.
www.cheapplasticbags.co.uk
Research & Resources
For loads more detailed information about plastic bags, from the start of the production process right through to recycling, including details of the different types of plastic bags available, please visit:
Plastic Bags
A free online directory specialising in polythene packaging. Find great websites with lots of information on plastic bags and post your own product listings for free.
www.plasticbags.uk.com
Packaging Knowledge
This online magazine contains in-depth news and information on the world of packaging. Read articles and features and fact sheets about a variety of plastic bags.
www.packagingknowledge.com
Goldstork
Very useful "pick of the web" directory containing lots of interesting, off-beat and unusual websites. Goldstork also offers a vault with only selected hand-picked websites specialising in plastic bags.
www.goldstork.com
Notes on Plastic Bags
Light, Medium and Heavy Duty polythene suppliers Bags (polybags)
polythene suppliers bag gauge makes a proper contrast to how a pack performs on the shop floor and in transit. A 100 gauge bag suits lighter, cleaner contents where flexibility and low material use matter, while 200 gauge gives more body for normal handling and better resistance to splitting at the seams. At 400 gauge, the film feels firmer and stands up better to rougher dealing, stacked cartons, or items with sharper edges. Choosing the proper thickness is not only about strength; it affects packing speed, product protection, and the amount of waste left behind.
Plastic bags face a growing challenge because their light weight and fast convenience also make them one of the easiest forms of waste to scatter, collect and ignore. A single-use carrier often does small for product protection once it leaves the shop, yet it can cause a long tail of handling problems in streets, drains, sorting plants and coastline clean-ups. That is why plenty retailers and councils now see more closely at whether a bag is needed at all, or whether a sturdier reuseable option or better secondary packing makes more sense. The practical lesson is simple: the cheapest bag at the till can become the most expensive waste stream afterwards.
Lightweight polythene suppliers Bags
Lightweight polythene suppliers bags are chosen for speed and economy, nevertheless their thin gauge only works properly when the product and packing line suit them. A bag that is also light can split on rough edges, inferior loading, or careless handling at the occupy point, which leads to waste and delays. When the film is used on the proper item, though, it reduces material use and retains secondary packing simple. The main job is matching film strength, seal quality, and handling risk so the pack does not fail before it reaches store or dispatch.
Charge for Plastic Bags in Britain Draws Applause, Anger and Humour
Plastic bags can cause irritation when a retailer changes the transport-out routine without thinking through the handling side. A thin bag that splits at the handles or stretches below a heavy load fast turns a simple purchase into a complaint, particularly if the packout includes bottles, tins or awkward shapes. The issue is not only the material itself nevertheless the matching of gauge, bag size and occupy weight, because a bag that sees fine on the counter may fail once it is lifted, swung or shoved into a car boot. Good stock control and sensible bag specification reduce that sort of friction at the till.
Hdpe polythene suppliers Bags supplier in Pune
HDPE polythene suppliers bags are often chosen because they give a simple, tough method to transport and store products without adding much weight. The film structure matters, though, because a bag that is also thin can split at the seams, while one that is also stiff may not pack neatly or seal evenly on the line. Good bag specification has to match the load, the filling method and the method cartons are stacked in transit, otherwise handling damage beginnings early. The optimal result comes from matching gauge, seal quality and pack format to the job, so the bag does its work without creating avoidable waste.
PLASTIC BAGS
Plastic bags retain products moving through packing, storage and dispatch with far less fuss than plenty people realise. In food lines they grasp loose product neatly, and in warehouse work they assist separate, keep safe and count items without adding much weight to a consignment. The thin film can be manufactured in alternative gauges and strengths, so the same basic format can suit small shopping packs, secondary packing or handling on the shop floor. When the material is chosen well, tearing, leakage and moisture damage are reduced and the all process runs with less interruptions. That is why such a simple item can have a proper effect on daily efficiency.
Recycling and reusing plastic bags
A 2005 study by the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP), cited by the Environment Agency in their 2011 report ‘Life Cycle Assessment of Supermarket Carrier Bags’, reported on how traditional lightweight ‘single use’ carrier bags were used after their initial intended use.
Their survey found that 89% of respondents reused at least some carrier bags. 59% of people said they reused all carrier bags, while 16% reused most of them, 7% reused around half and 7% reused some. Overall, it was estimated that 76% of carrier bags were reused.
The report also included details of how people reuse their carrier bags. The results can be found in the table below.
The reuse of lightweight carrier bags (WRAP 2005 survey)
| Reuse applications | % of respondents |
| Bin liner in kitchen | 53% |
| Put rubbish into it then throw it away | 43% |
| Bin liner in other rooms | 26% |
| Store things at home | 14% |
| Dog / cat / pet mess | 11% |
| Reuse for other shopping | 10% |
| Reuse for supermarket shopping | 8% |
| Packed lunches | 8% |
| Carry other things in when going out | 4% |
| Garden refuse | 1% |
| Give to charity shops | 1% |
| Put football boots / wellies in | 1% |
| Keep bottles / cans in for recycling | 1% |
| Other uses | 2% |
| Do not have a use / discard | 11% |
Source: Environment Agency - Life Cycle Assessment of Supermarket Carrier Bags
