Polythene Bags

Polythene bags come in an array of sizes and strengths. Some common uses are:

• Light duty polythene bags: Suitable for lots of uses including shipping clothing, plush toys and stationery items.
• Medium duty polythene bags: The thicker polythene offers extra protection and resistance from damage. Great for a wide range of heavier fashion items, toys, stationery and pharmaceuticals.
• Heavy duty polythene bags: For when you need the strongest of support for heavier or sharper items, like tools for example or, when packing multiple items.

The difference is the thickness of the material and therefore the maximum weight they can hold.

• Light - can hold up to 100g of weight
• Medium - can hold up to 200g of weight
• Heavy - can hold up to 400g of weight

A polyethylene bag is made from polyethylene, a common and versatile polymer known for its durability, flexibility and resistance to moisture. This makes it an ideal material for producing bags which can be used for variety of applications.

These bags are produced in a number of formats inluding clear plastic bags, gusseted bags and heavy-duty bags. They are widely used for packaging, storing and transporting goods across different industries like retail, manufacturing and logistics. Polyethylene bags can also be customised with printing and branding to suit specific business needs.

The terms "plastic bags" and "polythene bags" are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings related to the material used in their production.

• Plastic Bags: Can be made from different types of plastic and is a broad term that refers to any bag made from plastic materials.
• Polythene Bags: Refers specifically to a plastic bag made from polyethylene, one of the most common types of plastic.

Yes, polythene bags can be recycled, but the recycling process can vary depending on the type of polythene used. Typically, this type of bag is made from low-density polyethylene (LDPE) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastics.

Many recycling service providers accept LDPE and HDPE plastics for recycling. However, not all recycling centres may accept this type of bag directly via kerbside recycling at home. It is widely recyclable industrially and can be dropped off at specific collection points or designated recycling bins.

All polythene bags sold by Macfarlane Packaging feature at least 30% recycled material.

Polythene bags are typically made from low-density polyethylene (LDPE) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastics.

At Macfarlane, our standard stock polythene bags are made from LDPE.

Bag dimensions are commonly: width * height or, if gusseted, closed width * open width * height

• For a relatively flat item: calculate the face width of the bag. Measure the width of your item (A) and add a 50mm allowance to it. An odd load or shape may need 100mm tolerance.
• For a larger, bulkier item: the bag needs to open wider. The measurement is the width of your item (A), plus the depth of your item (B), plus 100mm tolerance. An odd load or shape may need 150mm tolerance.