What Are Polybags?

Polybags are bags that are made from polyethylene, the most common form of plastic, and are used transport a variety of sealed goods.  These bags are traditionally known for their sleek design, small frame, and smooth curves, and some of the items stored and shipped in polybags are comic books, food, and chemicals.  One reason for this is that Polybags were initially used by magazine publisher to protect their publications.  Beginning in the 1990s, however, the use of polybags quickly expanded to other applications, such as those mentioned above. Like most plastic bags, polybags tend to be thin, transparent, and flexible in nature.  There are some polybags, however, that deviate from this pattern and they can appear in both light and heavy density versions.

Polybags are made up of polyethylene and are constructed through a heat sealing process where edges of the material are sealed together through the application of heat.  In this process small pellets are melted down and turned into a bendable, clear material in the shape of a tube which is then cut and sealed at one end to produce bags.  There are a variety of designs for polybags, and the bags tend to be customized for specific needs.  For example, some bags include gussets, which allow them to hold a larger volume of items than they could otherwise. While others have handles, holes for hanging the bags.  Additionally, many bags come with zipper or self-sealing strips, and re-sealable polybags are both easy to close and ideal for situations where the items inside need to be accessed multiple times.  Polybags also have a significant cost advantage; they use less material than other shipping supplies, such as cardboard boxes or cartons, and they are often provide more storage volume at a lower price.

From an environmental perspective, polybags are also easier to recycle than other packaging and shipping material.  Whereas traditional methods of shipping might come across as wasteful or unnecessary to the more environmentally minded, polybags’ efficient use of materials and space mean that they manage to hold more while using less.  Using polybags is a great way to show to customers and recipients alike that the environment is important to you and that you are doing your best to reduce your carbon footprint.

Polybags are stored and purchased in a variety of forms, including individually, in packs, and in roll form for easy dispensing.  When you are considering shipping or protecting clothing, food products, and other item that lend themselves more to plastic than cardboard, then polybags are probably the right packaging materials for your need.  If you’ve never considered polybags before for your business or personal use, then you might want to consider what this flexible packaging alternative can do for you.

Resource Box:
John Jones is an expert on shipping supplies and related products.  He is a packaging specialist with VP Supplies, a company providing a complete line of shipping supplies using an innovative approach to serving its customers. Visit our website for a complete line of shipping supplies