Packaging

Buy from the UK's best range of polythene packaging, including poly bags, printed carriers and mailers, polythene rolls and eco packaging.

Polythene packaging is...

• Something we use regularly in our day-to-day lives
• Employed for a huge variety of purposes
• Used for everything from keeping our food fresh to helping us dispose of our rubbish and carrying our shopping home to posting something to a friend
• Available in a multitude of forms, including plastic bags, plastic sheeting, plastic film, bubble packaging, anti-static packaging, each of which come with a huge range of products from which to choose
• Available in a range of sizes, from the smallest grip seal bags, used for storing tiny items, to the largest rolls of polythene film, used for wrapping large or awkwardly-shaped items
• Available in a range of thicknesses, from the finest crystal clear polypropylene film used to display products for retail, to the thickest heavy duty polythene used as a damp proof membrane to underlay floors, as used in the construction industry
• Available in a range of colours or in clear polythene to suit the job in hand
• Available in bespoke shapes and sizes, or printed to match your business needs
• Also available in biodegradable polythene, which does the same job as regular polythene but with less of an impact on the environment

Latest news and views on waste bags

Maxima-Green Refuse Sacks 15L Black Pack of 10

Refuse sacks live or die on film consistency, not simply on how much recycled content is in the blend. Agricultural polythene suppliers can be a useful feedstock, nevertheless it varies from bale to bale, so the extrusion line has to proper the melt, grasp the gauge, and retain the web even if the product is to perform properly in use. When that control is missing, weak spots appear at the shoulders and the seal line becomes the first point of failure below mixed waste, sharp corners, and awkward handling. A well-manufactured sack gives proper tensile strength and dart impact resistance, which is what stops a full bag splitting as it is lifted from a bin. That sort of process control makes the contrast between usable stock and a lot of complaints.

In the 240-litre size, black bin liners are judged less by their colour than by how securely the film handles mixed waste and rough treatment. The bag has to cope with sharp offcuts, damp waste and sudden drops into a round-lidded bin without tearing at the neck or failing along the seal line, so the film occupy and gauge matter far above the label on the outer pack. Good control of polythene suppliers consistency gives better puncture resistance and less split bags at busy assortment points. That saves time on the floor and reduces the hassle of lining a second bag after the first one fails.

Heavy duty bin bags on a roll make daily waste handling easier because the bags are prepared to tear off, store neatly, and load fast at the point of use. A 50 litre size suits plenty normal office, kitchen, and light industrial bins, which assists avoid loose liners being tucked into cupboards or crammed onto shelves where they acquire damaged. The roll format also improves stock rotation in a busy storeroom, since packs can be counted and issued without opening fat cartons. When the gauge is proper for the load, the bag grasps shape better and reduces split liners amid emptying, so waste crew and cleaners lose less time to leaks and replacements.

Black sacks are chosen for jobs where waste requirements to be contained without showing what is inside, and the thicker grades stand up better to rough handling in bins, cages and assortment points. A decent gauge matters because thin film can split on sharp offcuts, broken board corners or hard-packed waste, which means leaks and a mess at dispatch or on the shop floor. Recycled polythene suppliers can work well here, nevertheless the material has to be blended and blown to give enough strength without becoming overly brittle. The bag should grasp together when lifted, dragged or tied off, and that saves time where waste streams are heavy and unpredictable.

Waste bags need a dispenser that handles the bags cleanly, because thin film can snag, curl, or tear if the pouch shape and opening are poorly controlled. A well-manufactured pouch body and cover retain the stack protected from dust and crush damage, while a proper dispensing point assists each bag leave without dragging the next one with it. The fastening between the cover edge and the pouch wall also matters, since loose fitting causes poor presentation on the shop floor and makes refilling awkward. When the pack opens and closes neatly, the bags stay usable and the dispenser sees tidier for longer.

Biodegradable bin liners earn their place when the film is matched to proper handling conditions, not only a low unit cost on a worksheet. A liner has to grasp damp kitchen waste, scraped plates and awkward offcuts without splitting at the base seal or stretching where the rim takes the load, so the gauge and blend matter far above a casual shopper might think. If the film softens also fast, odour acquires worse and leak risk rises amid storage and assortment. A properly manufactured biodegradable grade retains enough strength for daily use while still fitting waste routes that favour a cleaner, more predictable material flow. That gives less spill incidents, less complaint handling and a more proper bin-side experience.

Coloured waste sacks assist the proper waste stream stay separate when waste is being gathered, moved and inspected. On a busy floor, a robust colour code reduces the chance of the gross bag being lifted in a rush, particularly when shifts change and mixed material is piling up close the dock. The sack still has to earn its place through performance, though. Film gauge, seal strength and the polythene suppliers blend need to suit the contents, or the bag will tear before it reaches the skip. A sensible specification retains sorting simple without creating additional handling problems.

Clear waste sacks make waste checking faster because the contents can be seen straight away, which assists in places where waste, carton and recyclable material need to stay separate. That visual check saves labour at busy waste points and cuts the chance of a gross load being wheeled away. The proper decision, though, sits with film strength as much as clarity. A sack manufactured only for visibility can fail when it carries jagged offcuts, broken packaging or strange-shaped waste, so gauge and puncture resistance matter only as much as transparency. A sack that stays intact retains sorting simple and avoids a second clean-up job.

Recycling sacks should be issued in a method that matches proper household and assortment habits, not a narrow morning window. When a resident runs out later in the day, refusing supply can leave recyclables unbagged, make storage untidy, and reduce the chance of a clean assortment next time round. The practical problem is not only convenience; it is stock control and access control at the same time. A simple issuing rule requirements enough flexibility to cope with alternative visit times, or the sacks stop doing the job they were meant to transport out.

Rubble bags are a practical method to transport uprooted vines because they grasp the root mass, a small soil and enough moisture to stop the plants drying out also fast. In handling terms, the bag is doing above carrying waste; it protects the roots from bruising and from being stripped bare amid loading and transit. A shovel of topsoil inside the bag gives the roots a damp cushion, which matters when the consignment has to sit for a while before planting or disposal. The weak point is packing discipline, since overfilled bags split easily and loose roots tangle. Handled properly, they retain the job tidy and cut down on handling damage.

Common forms of packaging

Polythene packaging comes in many shapes and forms to cover a multitude of tasks. Here are a few of the most commonly-used forms of packaging:

Packing bags - clear polythene bags used for a range of tasks, from packing and displaying retail products to covering items for storage or transportation.

Display bags - popular with retailers, these crystal clear polypropylene glossy display bags will make your products sparkle!

Carrier bags - plain or printed polythene bags designed to help retail customers carry their purchases home. Available with a variety of handle styles.

Mailing bags - polythene envelopes with an integral fold-down seal that provide a lightweight and waterproof alternative to regular envelopes for sending your mail.

Garment covers - polythene covers used to protect dry cleaning or laundry during transportation or storage. Available in plain or printed polythene.

Bubble packaging - polythene sheets comprised of small air-cushioned ‘bubbles’ that protect delicate or fragile items during transport or storage. Also available in bubble bag form, complete with sealing strip.

Vacuum packaging - used in the catering industry for sealing food before cooking in a water bath (sous-vide - see below), or storing food to keep it fresh. Requires a vacuum sealer to seal the bags.

Polythene rolls - Polythene film available on the roll used for a variety of packaging purposes, including layflat tubing, shrink pallet covers and glossy display film.

Plastic sheeting - Thicker rolls of polythene, also known as builders rolls, used to cover wide areas in the building trade and by painters and decorators.

Specialist packaging

Away from the everyday carrier bag and Here are some of the more specialist types of polythene packaging. But whilst they might be less frequently used, they are no less important.

Anti-static bags - a range of bags that protect electrical equipment and small electronic components from the potential damage caused by electrostatic discharge.

Box liners - a range of large polythene liners featuring a wide gusset, used for lining boxes or drawers, or as a packing cover for large or bulky items.

Fish bags - strong clear polythene bags that come with watertight seals, used to transport goldfish and other types of fish. Popular with pet shops, aquaria and funfair stall holders.

Furniture bags - Extra large polythene bags used for covering large items of furniture, including sofas, chairs, chests of drawers and wardrobes during house removals or for storage.

Mattress covers - High strength gusseted polythene film covers used to protect mattresses. Available for single, double or king size mattresses and come complete with safety warning.

Vacuum packaging and sous-vide cooking

Every gourmet restaurant kitchen worth its salt these days will contain a vacuum sealer and a collection of vacuum bags. Not only does a vacuum sealer allow chefs to store food in an airtight environment, thus keeping it fresh for longer, but it can also be used in the cooking process.

Chefs use vacuum packaging for sous-vide cooking - a method of cooking in which food is sealed in an airtight polythene vacuum bag before being cooked in water at a specific temperature to ensure it is cooked evenly throughout, without losing any of its moisture.

The technique is similar to poaching but, by sealing the food inside a vacuum pack, it has the advantage of retaining the juices and aroma of that would be lost during poaching.

Sous vide is a technique used in many high end gourmet restaurants and is popular with well known chefs including Heston Blumenthal, Michael Carlson and Joël Robuchon.

On a roll - plastic or polythene?

Polythene packaging dispensed from a roll can be referred to by a large number of terms, covering a range of products that serve very different purposes. However, often the terms used to describe these rolls are mixed up and people can refer to plastic or polythene film when meaning the same thing, or they might use the same term - e.g. polythene rolls - when referring to two completely different products.

In the trade, for the most part, ‘plastic rolls’ is a term used to describe rolls of thicker plastic sheeting - often referred to as builders rolls - that protect large surface areas or objects from the dust, debris and generally mess caused by building, painting and decorating. Damp proof membrane, used in the early stages of the building process, is classified as a heavy duty plastic roll.

The term ‘polythene rolls’, on the other hand, would most likely be used to describe rolls of thinner polythene film used to wrap or cover items, such as shrink wrap, pallet covers, glossy polypropylene display film or - when dispensed in tube form rather than a single layer - layflat tubing.

If you’re working with someone who refers to a plastic roll or polythene roll, ask them to be a bit more specific so that you know you’ll get exactly what you need for the job in hand.

Where to buy polythene packaging

Polythene packaging manufacturers and suppliers include:

Polythene
Polythene.co.uk is a fantastic online shop from these specialist polythene manufacturers. They produce and sell a massive range of polythene packaging, bags, film, covers and accessories at unbeatable prices.
www.polythene.co.uk

Poly Bags
Discount Polybag provides a perfect one-stop shop for all your polythene packaging needs. UK-leading manufacturers and stockists of a massive range of poly bags and other plastic packaging, all at wholesale prices.
www.discountpolybag.co.uk

UK Packaging
Buy Packaging is the number one place to go to buy packaging in the UK. Whatever type of polythene packaging you need, from mailing bags to bubble wrap and crystal clear display film to heavy duty plastic sheeting, this is the place to find it.
www.buypackaging.co.uk

Polythene Packaging
Euro Polythene is a pan-European polythene packaging website. Whether you are based in the UK or mainland Europe, this website will cater for any polythene packaging needs, from stock products to bespoke goods, all at discount prices.
www.europolythene.co.uk

Polythene Bags
A website dedicated to helping you buy polythene bags at discount prices. Features a list of major suppliers and a buying guide so that you get the very best bargain prices on quality polythene bags.
www.discountpolythenebags.co.uk

Grip Seal Bags
A website to cater for all your packaging needs, e-Polybags contains tonnes of useful information on a range of polythene packaging from grip seal bags to eco-friendly bags, with a list of suppliers for you to get the best deal.
www.e-polybags.co.uk

Plastic Bag Suppliers
This specialist plastic bag website is a useful tool for anyone looking to buy a range of polythene bags or their biodegradable equivalent.
www.bagsuppliers.co.uk

Plastic Bags
Bags specialises in plastic bags. A fantastic resource for anyone looking to buy or find out more about a range of plastic bags. Contains a very useful glossary of plastic bag terms and details on bespoke plastic bag manufacturing.
www.bags.uk.com

Printed Carrier Bags
If you're looking for plastic bags personalised with your very own design, then head over to Printed Bags, which provides a wealth of useful information on printed carrier bags and how to make your business stand out from the crowd.
www.printedbags.org.uk

Plastic Bag
Plastic Bags Direct is a website dedicated to plastic packaging and plastic bags. Featuring lots of information on how plastic bags are made, what packaging is used for and where to buy it.
www.plasticbagsdirect.co.uk

Cheap Poly Bags
This website describes itself as the "ultimate guide" to sourcing cheap polybags and it's hard to argue. A veritable treasure trove of information on plastic bags and where to buy them at discount prices.
www.discountpolybags.co.uk

Research & Resources

To find out more about polythene packaging, including details of how it is manufactured, the various purposes it serves and how to recycle it, please visit:

PackagingKnowledge: The undisputed polythene packaging encyclopedia, containing vast amounts of information and detailed articles on every type of polythene packaging.

Goldstork: Read hand-picked information and specially selected features on a huge range of polythene packaging products on this free 'best-of-the-web' directory.

PlasticBags.uk.com: The number one polythene packaging directory in the UK allows manufacturers to list products for free, whilst shoppers can browse through a broad range of websites specialising in all types of polythene packaging.

Eco-friendly packaging

Packaging is such an integral part of everyday life in the 21st century that it’s hard to imagine a world without it. But with global warming and other environmental concerns becoming more and more important, many people look to replace their regular packaging with eco-friendly alternative.

What is eco-packaging?

Eco-packaging is a form of packaging that, rather than using traditional polythene, uses alternative materials that are biodegradable, thereby having less of an impact on the environment.

A wide range of eco-friendly packaging is manufactured today from polybio and biodegradable material, that will completely biodegrade when placed in regular composting conditions, landfill or into prolonged contact with soil.

Types of eco-packaging

You can have one eye on the environment while doing a wide range of household tasks these days and there’s eco-packaging to help you along the way.

Popular types of eco-packaging include biodegradable bin bags, refuse sacks and wheelie bin liners, kitchen waste bags and compost bags, biodegradable mailing bags, biodegradable clear bags, biodegradable carrier bags and even dog poo bags.