Plastic carrier bags are an everyday essential – but the term covers very different products: from vest carrier bags for the weekly market to high-quality patch-handle carrier bags for boutiques, from thin knot bags for fruit and vegetables to robust reusable bags made of recycled LDPE. This guide shows you all the variants, the right choice of material, what the Packaging Act has required since 2022 and which sustainable alternatives are available today.
Contents
- What are plastic carrier bags?
- Plastic carrier bag variants at a glance
- Materials: LDPE, HDPE & recycled PE
- Size guide by application
- Load capacity and wall thickness
- Packaging Act 2022: what is permitted?
- Sustainability & recycling
- Printing plastic carrier bags
- Alternatives to the plastic carrier bag
- Buying plastic carrier bags
- Frequently asked questions
What are plastic carrier bags?
“Plastic carrier bags” is a colloquial collective term for all carrier bags made of plastic. Most are made of polyethylene (PE) – either LDPE (low-density) for high-quality carrier bags or HDPE (high-density) for thin, rustling vest carrier bags. If you want to know exactly: in our PE bag guide you will find the complete material comparison.
Plastic carrier bag variants at a glance
- Vest carrier bags – the classic plastic carrier bag with two narrow carry loops, made of thin HDPE. Standard for the weekly market, bakery, Asian shop. More in the vest carrier bags guide.
- Carrier bags with a loop handle – a sturdier LDPE variant with a punched-out handle. Popular in retail.
- Carrier bags with a patch handle – with a welded-in handle, higher load capacity, a more refined look. For boutiques and premium brands.
- Kraft paper carrier bags – the sustainable alternative → kraft paper carrier bags
- Reusable bags made of thick LDPE or recycled material – long-lasting, often usable 30–80 times
- Knot bags – very thin PE bags (under 15 microns) for loose food at the fruit/vegetable counter
Materials: LDPE, HDPE & recycled PE
LDPE (low-density polyethylene): flexible, stretchy, easy to print – standard for high-quality carrier bags with a patch handle or loop handle. Common wall thicknesses 50–100 microns.
HDPE (high-density polyethylene): harder, rustles noticeably, can be made very thin – standard for vest carrier bags. Common wall thicknesses 9–18 microns.
Recycled PE (GRS-certified): from 100% post-consumer material, identical function with a significantly better CO₂ footprint. For brands with sustainability goals, the most pragmatic solution. → Sustainable carrier bags.
Bio-PE from sugar cane is chemically identical to fossil PE and likewise recyclable – but uses renewable raw materials instead of crude oil.
Size guide by application
| Application | Recommended size | Material |
|---|---|---|
| Snacks, bread rolls, single items | approx. 18×24 cm | LDPE / kraft paper |
| Bakery, small purchases | approx. 25×35 cm | LDPE / HDPE |
| Weekly market, medium purchases | approx. 30×42 cm | HDPE (vest) |
| Large purchases, boutique | approx. 35×45 cm | LDPE patch handle |
| Bulky goods, reusable | 50×60 cm and more | LDPE ≥50 microns / recycled PE |
Load capacity and wall thickness
- 15 micron HDPE knot bag: 1–2 kg
- 18 micron HDPE vest carrier bag: 3–5 kg
- 50 micron LDPE reusable bag: 8–12 kg
- 80 micron LDPE patch handle: 10–15 kg
- 120 micron LDPE premium bag: 15+ kg
Load capacity depends more on material quality and the weld seam than on wall thickness alone.
Packaging Act 2022: what is permitted?
Since 1 January 2022, lightweight plastic carrier bags have been banned in Germany (Section 5(1) VerpackG). The ban affects:
- Plastic carrier bags with a wall thickness of 15–49 microns – no longer permitted in sales to end customers
Still permitted are:
- Knot bags under 15 microns for loose, unpackaged food (fruit, vegetables)
- Carrier bags from 50 microns wall thickness (reusable-capable)
- Kraft paper carrier bags – regardless of thickness
- Packaging for hygiene articles (e.g. condoms, feminine hygiene)
In addition, the Packaging Act applies: distributors must register with the LUCID packaging register and participate in a dual system.
Sustainability & recycling
Plastic carrier bags are fully recyclable if they are placed by type into the yellow bag / yellow bin. A reusable LDPE carrier bag beats a single-use paper bag on CO₂ after 3–4 uses – reusable always beats single-use, regardless of material.
Options for more sustainable plastic carrier bags:
- Carrier bags made of recycled LDPE (GRS)
- Kraft paper carrier bags as an alternative
- Food-grade paper carrier bags
- Bio-PE from sugar cane (bespoke manufacture)
Printing plastic carrier bags
Plastic carrier bags can be printed excellently with a logo, slogan or branding – typically by flexo printing or screen printing. A printed carrier bag is a very inexpensive, mobile advertising surface that is often out and about in town for days. Per bag, high-quality printing (1–3 colours) costs a few cents. → Print carrier bags with a logo or print bags & carrier bags.
Alternatives to the classic plastic carrier bag
- Kraft paper carrier bags – renewable raw material, recyclable, robust
- Cotton bags – long-lasting, washable many times, ideal for branding
- rPET carrier bags – made of recycled PET, light and load-bearing
- Recycled LDPE carrier bags – the pragmatic, most established sustainability solution
- Drawstring bags made of cotton, polyester or non-woven → drawstring bags
Buying plastic carrier bags
In the Elke Plastic range you will find carrier bags directly from the manufacturer – with warehousing and shipping in Germany, individual printing on request and free samples before bulk orders. Benefits: no middleman margin, legally compliant wall thicknesses, standard sizes available immediately.
Frequently asked questions
Are plastic carrier bags still permitted?
Yes – but only in certain wall thicknesses. Banned: 15–49 microns. Permitted: under 15 microns (knot bags for loose food) and from 50 microns (reusable carrier bags).
Are plastic carrier bags food-grade?
Most plastic carrier bags made of PE are food-grade, provided they are explicitly certified (EU 10/2011). For direct contact with unpackaged food, use food-grade paper carrier bags.
What load capacity do plastic carrier bags have?
Lightweight vest carrier bags carry 3–5 kg, high-quality LDPE carrier bags with a patch handle and 50–80 micron wall thickness 10–15 kg.
Can I return or recycle plastic carrier bags?
Yes – plastic carrier bags belong by type in the yellow bag or yellow bin. Reuse is the most sustainable option.
What is cheaper: a plastic carrier bag or a paper bag?
Per unit a plastic carrier bag is almost always cheaper. Ecologically the comparison is more complex: paper bags have a higher CO₂ cost in production, but are bio-based. A reusable plastic carrier bag made of recycled LDPE beats both single-use variants on CO₂.
How many colours can I use for printing?
In flexo printing typically 1–6 colours, in screen printing usually 1–4 colours. For full-colour printing and photos there is gravure printing or digital printing (higher minimum quantity).
What minimum quantity do I need for individual printing?
It varies depending on the printing process. Talk to us with your desired quantity – we calculate individually. → Request bespoke manufacture.
Can I also get plastic carrier bags in special sizes?
Yes – we manufacture carrier bags in almost any desired size. The handle design and the base are also individually selectable.
Are plastic carrier bags waterproof?
Yes – PE is naturally waterproof. With carrier bags, however, the handles and seams limit absolute tightness. For genuinely waterproof bags, see ziplock bags or tubular film.
What is the difference between a plastic carrier bag and a film bag?
“Plastic carrier bag” colloquially mostly means carrier bags (with handles). “Film bag” refers more to packaging bags without handles. More in the film bag guide.
Straight to the right bag: → Shipping & bags · → Paper carrier bags · → Sustainable carrier bags