Given the number of options available, choosing the right plastic bag can be a somewhat complicated task. This is mainly because plastic bags are made of different materials and each of these materials offers specific characteristics to users. They also come in various shapes and mixed colors.
There are many versions of plastic bags out there, however, by becoming familiar with each type, you can certainly narrow down your options a lot and choose the right bag for your needs. So, let’s dive in and take a look at the different types of plastic bags available on the market today:
High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
One of the most common plastics used worldwide, HDPE has a variety of qualities, making it an excellent material for making plastic bags. It is lightweight, relatively transparent, water and temperature resistant, and has high tensile strength.
In addition, HDPE plastic bags comply with USDA and FDA food handling guidelines, making them a popular choice for storing and serving carry-on and retail food.
HDPE plastic bags can be found in restaurants, convenience stores, grocery stores, delicatessen and even in homes for storage and packaging purposes. HDPE is also used for garbage bags, utility bags, t-shirt bags and laundry bags, among others.
Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
This type of plastic is commonly used for utility bags, food bags, bread bags, as well as bags with moderate strength and stretching properties. Although LDPE is not as strong as HDPE bags, they are capable of storing bulk items, specifically food and meat products.
In addition, the transparent plastic makes it easier to identify the contents, allowing restaurateurs to keep up with the fast-paced pace of commercial kitchens.
That said, LDPE plastic bags are highly versatile and are popular for use with heat sealing due to their low melting point. LDPE also meets the USDA and FDA food handling guidelines and is also sometimes used to make bubble wrapping.
Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE)
The main difference between LDPE and LLDPE plastic bags is that the latter has a slightly thinner gauge. However, the best thing about this plastic is that there is no difference in strength, allowing users to save money without any compromise on quality.
LLDPE bags show a moderate degree of clarity and are used for the manufacture of food bags, newspaper bags, shopping bags, as well as garbage bags. They can also be used for food storage in freezers and refrigerators, which is why they are used for bulk food storage in commercial kitchens.
Medium Density Polyethylene (MDPE)
MDPE is comparatively clearer than HDPE, but not as clear as low-density polyethylene. Bags that are made of MDPE are not associated with a high degree of strength, nor are they stretched well, so they are not preferred for transporting or storing bulk products.
However, MDPE is a common material for garbage bags and is generally used in consumer packaging for paper products such as work paper or paper towels.
Polypropylene (PP)
PP bags are characterized by their remarkable chemical resistance and strength. Unlike other bags, polypropylene bags are not breathable and are ideal for retail situations due to their longer shelf life.PP is also used for food packaging, where items such as candy, nuts, herbs and other sweets can be easily stored in bags made of it.
These bags are comparatively clearer than others, allowing users greater visibility. PP bags are also excellent for heat sealing due to their high melting point and, like other plastic bag options, are USDA and FDA approved for food handling.
