Sack Material Selection: Reusable and Plastic Options Compared

Many companies today advertise not so much their products as how environmentally friendly those products or their packaging are – no wonder, with climate change and pollution constantly in the news. This article looks at sack material selection in terms of sustainability and usability.

Sack material selection: reusable materials

In sack material selection, sustainability is often the first question. It is true that producing and shipping reusable sacks has an environmental impact, yet every reusable sack is more environmentally friendly than single-use paper or plastic bags. At our company, 65% of the raw materials we use are recycled.

Cotton sacks are available in many variations. Recycled cotton consists of organic and conventional cotton waste (which would normally end up in landfill) that is recycled or spun into new yarn. Cotton is often regarded as the most reusable material.

White paper recycling symbol on a grey background

Hemp fibre is one of the longest, strongest and most durable fibres on Earth and is several times stronger than cotton – it, too, makes an excellent sack.

Jute is a natural plant fibre, often referred to as hessian, and has been used to make sacks for a very long time.

Some consider polypropylene bags the most reusable shopping bags because of their low cost and relative durability.

Nylon is a synthetic polymer originally developed as a substitute for silk fabrics.

Polyester can be recycled, which turns it back into polymer fibres for further use. Using recycled PET reduces waste and conserves oil and other non-renewable resources.

If you would like to have custom reusable plastic sacks made, get in touch with our team.

Properties of plastic sacks

Tied black bin bag with a red drawstring on a concrete floor

Plastic bags and packaging made from polyethylene, cellophane and polypropylene are used in a wide range of applications. Understanding the differences between the material types can help you choose the right plastic for your needs. Properties to consider include tear resistance, suitability for heavy-duty packaging applications, flexibility, high strength without stretching, resistance to extreme temperatures, low static charge and good resistance to humidity.

Thanks to its low cost and good flexibility, polyethylene is used in a wide range of industrial applications. Polyethylene offers high impact resistance and good clarity. It is user-friendly for manual or machine filling and is the most popular material for plain and printed sacks and bags.

Cellophane is made from organic cellulose (wood or plant fibres). It is considered environmentally friendly because it breaks down completely in landfill. It is ideal for products that need to breathe. It is well suited to food packaging and is oil- and grease-resistant, translucent and biodegradable.

Polypropylene bags offer very good protection against moisture and vapours. They slow down evaporation and drying out, helping to preserve freshness and flavour. These high-purity, crystal-clear bags also enhance the appearance of the product. They are well suited to food products: they help keep moisture and odours in check, limit evaporation and exposure to bacteria and so help maintain shelf life. They are also tear-resistant, stronger and stiffer than other materials, and heat-resistant.