There are many advantages that polythene bags bring to the table.

Strong, efficient carriers

Lightweight, but strong, polythene bags do the heavy lifting. A bag weighing six or seven grams can easily carry 6.5 kilograms ' approximately 1000 times its own weight.

High reuse

Polythene bags have many uses. A government study in the United Kingdom showed that four out of five people reuse their polythene bags as: liners for household wastebaskets, storage, book and lunch bags, and to pick up after pets.

Can you think of all the different ways that you have used polythene bags over the years?

Energy efficient

Polythene bags are one of the most energy-efficient bag materials produced today.

Resource efficient

Reducing the amount of resin material used in each bag, called 'lightweighting', has been an industry practice for many years now. Today's plastic bags use 75 per cent less resin than 20 years ago and 63 per cent less energy in their manufacture, while maintaining the same strength and durability. Not many other products can make this claim.

Reduce food wastage

Polythene film and bags protect our food from external contaminants, like germs and bacteria, and help keep our food fresh. Plastics are one of the simplest forms of protective packaging and play an important role in our ability to reduce food wastage to around three per cent, compared with 50 per cent in less-developed countries. (A study by Columbia University established a direct correlation between increased use of plastic packaging and reduced wastage of food.)

Highly recyclable

Polythene bags are a perfect candidate for recycling and can be made into a wide range of products. Some products made from recycled polythene bags include new bags and other durable products such as plastic lumber for decking, park benches, picnic tables and waste receptacles. Whole new product categories are emerging using recycled plastic shopping bags, such as the composite lumber market which is growing at a rate of 14 per cent per year and is expected to be worth $1.4 billion U.S. by 2007.

A 2x6 composite board that is 16 feet long uses approximately 2,250 polythene or plastic bags.

Plastic bags, also called 'polythene bags" or "poly bags" are one of those modern conveniences we take for granted. But 60 years ago, no one ever considered the question, 'Paper or plastic?' Back then, people also managed to get by without Ziploc' bags or dry cleaner bags.

This was because the technology for creating polyethylene film didn't emerge until the 1940s during World War II. And the methods to create plastic bags from polyethylene film weren't developed until the 1950s.

The most common way to produce poly bags is by blown film extrusion, also called the 'tubular film process.' In a moment, you'll see how it got this name.

Plastic bags are made from polyethylene. During processing, the polyethylene might be treated with any number of additives, such as:

• Anti-block ' Prevents the plastic layers from sticking together (blocking).


• Slip ' Helps the plastic bag open easier and allows items to slide in smoothly.


• Ultraviolet Inhibitor (UVI) ' Protects the plastic from ultraviolet radiation, which can weaken the plastic's strength and fade its color.

The polyethylene arrives at the plastic bag manufacturing facility in pellet form, referred to as resin. The following drawing shows how plastic bags are created. The machine used to create the plastic bags is an extruder and die assembly.

1. The machine operator pours the polyethylene resin into the hopper.


2. The hopper feeds the resin into the extruder.


3. Heating elements and the turning of the extruder screw melts the resin into molten form and forces it through the extruder.


4. The molten poly flows evenly up and over the circular die.


5. As the molten poly emerges from the die, the machine operator:
   
   
   
   • a. Grabs it wearing protective gloves.
   • b. Pinches the molten poly together.
   • c. Ties a rope to the top of the molten poly. The rope leads upward to a pulley system.
   • d. Pulls the other end of the rope to move the molten poly upwards.
   
   At the same time, the air ring blows cool air upwards, which solidifies the molten poly.


6. As the tubular shape moves up, the machine operator inserts an air gun through the poly film to blow in additional air. This step is repeated until the diameter of the tubular poly film reaches the required bag size.


7. Along the length of the tower are guides to keep the tubular poly film from shifting. As the film reaches the top of the cooling tower, the guides gradually flatten it into a layflat form.
   If the plastic bag will have gussets, special frames (called 'gusset boards') indent the sides of the tube before it is flattened.


8. At the top of the cooling tower, motorized nip rollers grab the solidified poly film. The nip rollers now take over the job of moving the poly film up the cooling tower.
   Note: Extruder and die assembly towers can be 25 to 35 feet tall. This height is needed to cool the polyethylene film before the layers are flattened together.


9. The layflat film travels over a series of rollers. For simple bags, such as trash bags or industrial bags, the film is contained to a single, in-line process. In this case, the polyethylene film:


• Travels through a bag machine that seals the bottom of the plastic bag and perforates it at the same time. The perforation allows the bags to be easily torn from the roll.


• May also travel through a separator that breaks the perforations and stacks the poly bags on top of each other for bulk packaging in a box.


10. For poly bags with complex features (for example, multi-colored printing, Zip-Loc' closure, or door knob hang holes) the film is wound on a roll and then taken out of line for further processing at a converting facility. A converting facility has a variety of specialised equipment to create the diverse features found in plastic bags today.

The blown film extrusion process for creating poly bags hasn't changed much over the years. But what has changed is how we use plastic bags in our daily lives ' whether we carry home groceries in 'T-shirt' plastic bags or seal an expensive cut of meat into an air-tight freezer bag. What was once a novelty is now an everyday convenience that makes our lives easier.

In the plastic bag industry, it's crucial to specify the right gauge for the bags you're ordering. Before specifying a bag's thickness, think about:

• The item the bag will contain. Consider the size of the item, as well as its weight.



For example, a heavy, medium-sized item would require a thicker gauge than a light, large-sized item.

• How much protection the bag should provide for the item. If the item is delicate or easily scratched, use a thicker gauge.


• The length of time the bag will be used. If you want the bag to be reusable, specify a gauge of at least 50 microns (200 Gauge).

1. BAGS FOR AGRICULTURE: Open End Flat Bags, Staple Pak Bags & Die Cut Handle Bags. These Poly Bags can be used for Landscaping products, such as Mulch Bags, Rubber Mulch and Fertilizers in addition to Feed Stock. These Poly Bags are done in low slip films. Film colors are white, opaque or clear. We mostly run special films with UVI blends to prevent the sun from changing the bag color.


2. BAGS FOR APPAREL: Wicketted Bags, Header Bags, Staple Pak, Back Flip Bags, Inside Flip Bags, Resealable Tape Closure Bags & Permanent Tape Closure Bags. These Poly Bags are used to package apparel in the production end to protect garments prior to shipping or the retail end in order to display products in your store. Use either a header that we do on the Poly Bags, or a hook, or one of the many other options available. All Plastic bags have options of being hand sealed, via flips on the bags, or self seal, also known as peel and seal so you can pull off the strip of liner exposing the glue to seal the bag.


3. BAGS FOR BAKERIES: Wicketted Bags & Gusseted Bags. After baking their breads and preparing the loaves for the retail trade, they go into Wicket Bags. These Plastic Bags are done either in full automation in the loading of product or semi automated loading or hand loading. These Poly Bags are available with or without expandable bottom gussets.


4. BAGS FOR BANKING: Tape Closure Bags, Deposit Bags, Security Bags & Dual Number Bags. These Poly Bags are used for bank deposits. They are made with permanent closures so one cannot open the bags and remove currency. These Poly Deposit Bags can also be made with dual numbers, one gets kept by the depositor as a receipt on their bags and one is on the bag for tracking it. These Plastic Bags are also available with pouches for paper work along with their deposits.


5. BAGS FOR DRY CLEANERS: Tape Closure Bags, Garment Covers on rolls (individual or perforated on rolls) & Staple Pak Bags. Dry cleaners use these Poly Bags to package sweaters after they are dry-cleaned. These Plastic Bags are also used for packaging and protecting shirts that have be cleaned and folded.


6. BAGS FOR ELECTONIC PARTS: Open Ended Flat Bags. After electronic components are manufactured, they are packaged in these Poly Bags to protect them during the shipping process.


7. BAGS FOR FISH / SEAFOOD: Wicketted Bags, Staple Pak Bags & Flat Bags. The Poly Bags used for fish and seafood contain a special additive in the film to keep the seals strong and keep the freshness in. The additives in these Poly Bags also help to prevent the Plastic Bags from bursting in the event that they go into a freezer.


8. BAGS FOR HARDWARE: Wicketted Bags. People commonly pack hardware in .002 to .003 gauge Poly Bags: Loose Pack, Wicket Pack or Bags on Rolls for automation


9. BAGS FOR FOOD: Wicketted Bags, Staple Pak, Gusseted Bags, Flip Bags, Resealable Tape Closure Bags & Permanent Tape Closure Bags. All Different types of Poly Bags are used for food packaging and all are made in FDA films. We also can add EVA to the Poly Bags for added freshness making for a longer shelf life. Depending on what Poly Bag style you choose, Wicket Bags, Bottom Gusseted Bags, Staple Paks, Tape Closures or Flip Bags, all can get printed in up to 10 colors.


10. BAGS FOR HOSIERY: Header Bags & Reinforced Header Bags. Whether you are packaging ladies panty hose in Poly Propylene Bags or in Polyethylene Bags or you are doing men's sox with a Header Bag for retail hanging in stores, we have many different choices to work with


11. BAGS FOR HOTELS: Poly Drawtape Bags, Cotton Drawstring Bags & Perforated Bags. There are basically 3 different styles of Poly Bags that hotels use for in room Laundry Bags: 14 x 24 Perforated Tear Pull Off to tie the bag, Poly Draw Tape Bag where you pull the draw tape to close the bag, or the same bag with a Cotton Draw String to close the bag. Most popular are the Poly Draw Tape bags, all can get printed in up to 8 colors.


12. BAGS FOR HOUSEWARE: Header Bags, Staple Pak Bags & Open Ended Bags. Many different Poly Bag styles are all available for the packaging of your houseware products. These Plastic Bags are primarily used for retail displaying or for shipping houseware products.


13. BAGS FOR MAILING: Permanent Tape Closure, Resalable Tape Closure, Co Extruded Bags, Mono Layer Bags, Self Seal Bags & Peel and Seal Bags. We make many different types and styles of Mailer Bags, from clear unprinted Mailers in either Polyethylene or Polypropylene with self seal lips, to the White or Gray Mono Layer Film Bags, or the Co Extruded Film / Tri Layer Film Bags. We can do any of these Poly Bags with or with out perforations on the lips for easy bag opening. These Poly Bags are commonly printed from return address to company logos in either 1 color or up to 8 color process print.


14. BAGS FOR MANUFACTURING: Wicketted Bags, Staple Pak, Back Flip Bags, Header Bags, Bulls Eye Bags, Gusseted Bags, Hook Bags, Resealable Tape Closure, Perm Tape Closure Bags, Tap Tape/Slug Tape Bags, Perforated Lip Bags, Standup Pouch & Zipper Closure Bags. Most of our Poly Bag styles can be used in the packaging of manufactured goods. Whether your items are large or small, our Custom Made Poly Bags are sure to fit your specific needs.


15. BAGS FOR MEDICAL: Resealable Tape Closure, Perm Tape Closure Bags & Tap Tape/Slug Tape Bags. For medical facility's we have many choices of Poly Bags, Single Pouch or Double Pouch Poly Bags for lab work along with Paper Work Bags with several compartments. These Poly Bags are also used for new medication advertising by drug companies for placement in doctors offices to hand out to patients.


16. BAGS FOR NEWSPAPERS: Wicketted Bags, Header Bags & Door Knob Bags. We make a large selection of Custom Poly Bag sizes and colors for different newspapers, from the daily sizes to the Saturday and Sunday sizes. These Poly Bags are available in many film colors and print options. Also available are Wicket Lip Bags or Staple Paks for easy loading and delivery. We also can add pouches to the outside for advertising new items.


17. BAGS FOR PET FOOD: Self Seal Bags. There are many different Poly Bag styles suitable for the packaging of pet foods, from Self Seal Poly Bags to your standard Heat Seal Poly Bags.


18. BAGS FOR POULTRY: Wicketted Bags, Gusseted Bags, Staple Pak & Open Ended Bags. Very popular among our Poly Bags, are the Wicket Poultry Bags for packaging Chicken, Turkey, or any other poultry products. It is common to have different logos or plant numbers printed on these Poly Bags for identification.


19. BAGS FOR PROMOTION: Die Cut Handle Bags, Fold Over Die Cut Handles, Patch Handle, Poly Draw Tape Bags, Cotton Draw String Bags, Litter Bags, Door Knob Bags & Hard Handle Bags. Excellent Poly offers many different types of Custom Poly Bags that are used for promotional purposes. Door Knob Bags, Litter Bags, Die Cut Handle Bags, Fold Over Die Cut Handle Bags, Soft and Hard Handle Bags, plus many others. All of these Poly Bags are used to promote what ever it is you're looking to promote. All Custom Plastic Bags are available in many film colors and get printed in the PMS color of your choice.


20. BAGS FOR RETAILING: Resealable Tape Closure, Perm Tape Closure Bags, Tap Tape/Slug Tape Bags, Perforated Lip Bags, Header Bags, Die Cut Handle Bags, Fold Over Die Cut Handles, Patch Handle, Poly Draw Tape Bags, Cotton Draw String Bags, Litter Bags, Door Knob Bags & Hard Handle Bags. These Custom Poly Bags are for packaging in your retail store or to pack the customers goods after checkout. Available in many Poly Bag styles including: Die Cut Bags, Fold Over Die Cut Bags, Patch Handle Bags, among many others. We can print on these Custom Poly Bags in up to 8 colors.


21. BAGS FOR TRADE SHOWS: Die Cut Handle Bags, Fold Over Die Cut Handles, Patch Handle, Poly Draw Tape Bags, Cotton Draw String Bags, Litter Bags, Door Knob Bags & Hard Handle Bags. All of these Poly Bags styles are commonly used at trade shows. They come in a variety of film colors as well as colors printed on the bags. Simple Die Cut Handle Bags, Fold Over Die Cut Bags, Patch Handle Bags, Poly Draw Tape Bags, Soft Loop Handle Bags, or Hard Snap Handle Bags.

Search results - found 1 UK based company.......

• Polythene Bags and Film
  Polybags Limited are manufacturers and suppliers of polythene and plastic bags/film. They supply minigrip bags, zipper bags, carrier bags, refuse sacks, bin liners, pallet wrap, garment covers, laundry film, biodegradable bags and poly bags of all kinds....
  www.polybags.co.uk

Looking on the internet and finding a right supplier of your polythene bags can be daunting. What we can't help is to provide you with bags but we can list a points you should consider buying a quality polythene bags at cheap prices:

• Lowest Prices
  Compare prices in the industry & Save. For an example Polybags Limited, UK offers the lowest price on custom polythene bags. They're committed to offering you low prices, so they'd love to know if you found a better price for any bags at another retailer.
  
  
• No Minimum Order
  Choose a supplier who can offer you a low quantity purchase.
  
  
• 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
  Again consider buying from a supplier who offers 100% no quibbles guarantee such as Polybags Limited, UK.
  
  
• Manufacture Bags to Your Specifications
  Not any supplier would have any size you need in stock so choose a supplier who can make the recycled bags as per your need...
  
  
• Fastest Turnaround Time
  If you looking for a custom bags and quick turnaround choose a manufacturer not merchants.
  
  
• Free Delivery
  Calculate total cost of polythene bags including delivery coz some retailer may sell cheap bags but charge an extra on delivery.
  
  
• Free Sample
  If you unsure request a Free sample of your product before you buy. Polybags Limited,UK offers this service at no obligation.
  
  Polybags Limited is UK's top supplier of polythene bags and printed polythene bags which offers most of above service....

Bags spilling out of nooks and closets? Try one of the following. Budget: Plastic Bag Recycler, $6 (shown) This door- or wall-mounted organizer extends out only 3 1/2 inches, which means it won't knock over the cleaning products under the sink every time the door closes. It hides away about 25 bags in four openings, which minimize the chances of jams.

Splurge: Upright Bag Holder, $15

This stainless steel'and-plastic holder is attractive enough to leave out but small enough (the size of a large cereal box) to slide into a cabinet. It stores up to 50 bags, and the long slot makes removal easy.

Did you know?

• Plastic shopping bags are a valuable resource that should never be thrown away.
• Plastic shopping bags are lightweight, waterproof, hygienic and inexpensive. They are one of the best options to carry your groceries, but only if you reuse and recycle them.
• Weighing only 6-7 grams, a plastic bag can hold 1,000 times its weight in groceries.
• Pieces of frozen natural gas, plastic shopping bags can be reused many times and recycled.
• 93% of Canadians reuse their bags two or more times.
• Over 90% will recycle if given the opportunity.
• Bags represent less than .5% of litter and less than 1% of landfill ... we can do better.

Let us show you how we can all do a better job on reuse and recycling.

Reduce

• Don't take a bag when offered unless you need it.
• Make sure that each bag holds at least 8 items.
• Don't double bag.
• Don't bag large items.
• Use size appropriate bags.
• Take your own bags to the store; just carry a few in your pocket or purse.
• Buy in bulk to reduce packaging.
• Use other options provided by retailers, such as cardboard boxes, bins, heavier reusable bags.


• Learn how to bag properly. See our proper bagging tips below (How to recycle). Proper bagging is fun!

Reuse

Most Canadians already reuse their bags at least two times. Let's see if we can get that up to 4 or 5 times.

The reuse possibilities for bags are endless. Let's explore a few reuses.

• as lunch bags for your kids - just get them to bring them home for use the next day
• for storing items on the shelf - they are great dust protectors
• as carry bags - jam a few in your pocket to use the next time you shop
• to cover food in place of plastic film in your fridge
• for packing when you travel to protect your clothing
• to carry books when it's raining outside
• as paint aprons and "bibs" for youngsters
• as kitchen catchers/garbage bags
• as a craft table cover
• as doggie dodo clean-up bags as drop sheets.

• in your car
• in your purse or pocket
• in your stroller
• with your pet supplies

Did you know?

• That due to advances in technology, plastic shopping bags can be recycled into new bags or plastic lumber products like sub-laminate flooring, park benches, picnic tables and decking.
• That the market for recycled plastic bags is worth $2 billion and growing at 14% per year.
• That most plastic shopping bags  produced today contain recycled content.
• That plastic lumber lasts longer than wood, doesn't rot or splinter, is slip-resistant, resists pests and it too can be recycled.

Tips:

• Recycling is easy. Just look at the "Municipalities collecting bags" section on this site and look for your community to find out where you can recycle your bags.
• There are a number of options - curbside and in-store take-back programs with many large retailers across the country.
• Those involved read like a "who's who" of retailers in Canada - A&P, Dominion, Loeb, Safeway, Dominion, Overwaitea, Safeway, Save on Foods, Thrifty, London Drug, to name a few.

How to recycle Tips:

• Make sure that your bags are clean and empty
• Turn them inside out
• Stuff them into one bag
• Take them to a participating grocer and place them in their recycling bin, which is usually at the front of the store.

1. Do you need a bag? Determine whether a bag is needed. Remember that most customers do not want a bag for one or two items. When no bag is used, 'security' or 'paid' stickers can be attached.


2. Don't bag large, bulk items or items with handles. Don't use a plastic bag on large, bulk items like 24 packs of cans/bottles, toiler paper or paper towels or for those items that already have handles.


3. Choose the right size bag. Choose the largest bag that you can fill out. It is better to use one large bag than two smaller bags. If you can't fill out a large bag, drop down to the size that you can fill out.


4. Build a sturdy base. Use boxes and/or cans (almost any item) to form a base. When the base is tight, items don't roll. Smaller, lightweight items, such as toothpaste, pudding, or candy, can be placed on top. Never place cans on the top of the bag.


5. Secure 'crushable' items. Crushable items, such as eggs, potato chips and bread, should be placed in a separate bag or bags. Eggs should always be placed at the bottom of the bag with bread, chips, etc. on top for increased stability.


6. Pack like items together. Sorting is convenient for customers and minimizes 'wet wrap' or pre-bagging' which is a form of double bagging.


7. Isolate certain items before bagging. Despite sorting, it is sometimes necessary to prevent cross-contamination and odour/moisture transfer by isolating items like raw meats, fish and cleaning supplies using small 'wet wrap' bags.


8. Fill space with small items. Use smaller items, like dental floss, pudding and spices to help fill the bag completely.


9. Fill-out bag properly. Fill-out each bag by laying larger items, such as 2-litre soft drink bottles down. A filled-out bag is more stable and easier to carry.


10. Eliminate double bagging. Today's plastic bags are strong enough to be filled out to capacity ' without the need to double bag them.

Make a simple mini toy parachute out of a polythene shopping bag. It is easy, cheap and a useful way of cutting down on the pile of plastic bags in the house. You will also need to make your own person to sit in the parachute, or you might have a plastic model to substitute instead.

Steps

1. Cut out a square shape from a polythene bag.


2. Make some small holes at each edge. Make four holes in all.


3. Tie string of the same length to each one of the holes.


4. Tie the other free ends to a paper clip.


5. Make a person out of modelling clay (plasticine).


6. Place the person onto the paper clip.


7. Cut out a small hole about 1 x 1 cm in the middle of the parachute.


8. Take hold of the the polythene part. Hold it up highest you can go or you can climb onto a chair or small wall and let go of it.


9. Watch your parachute and passenger glide down to the ground.


10. Throw your parachute as high as possible. If it breaks, it is easy to make a new one.

Tips

If you can, use stretchy polythene bags, they are better than any other material

Warnings

• Be careful not to cut yourself making the parachute.
• Never put a polythene bag on your face; you might die of suffocation.
• Not for use on people who you like.

Things You'll Need

• Polythene bag
• Scissors
• Modelling clay (or a plastic person figurine instead)
• String
• Paper clip