Plastic bags, poly bags, PE bags, film bags, ziplock bags – in everyday packaging there are dozens of terms, many of which mean the same thing while others describe fundamentally different products. This detailed overview sorts out the most important terms, explains materials, applications, legal frameworks and sustainability options – so that when you buy, you get exactly the product you really need.
Contents
- What are plastic bags?
- Terminology glossary: synonyms and distinctions
- Materials at a glance
- Bag types and their applications
- Sizes, gauges & tolerances
- Applications by industry
- Food-grade plastic bags
- Packaging law and legal requirements
- Sustainable plastic bags
- Buying plastic bags
- Frequently asked questions
What are plastic bags?
“Plastic bag” is the colloquial umbrella term for all packaging bags made of plastic. In the packaging industry, a distinction is made by material between PE bags, PP bags, PET bags and composite-material bags. By far the most common category is PE bags (polyethylene) – they account for the bulk of global plastic bag production.
Terminology glossary: synonyms and distinctions
- Poly bags = PE bags = plastic bags made of polyethylene. A pure synonym.
- PE bags = plastic bags made of polyethylene (LDPE or HDPE).
- Film bags = bags made of thin plastic film, almost always LDPE.
- Ziplock bags / zip bags = resealable plastic bags with a zip profile → ziplock bags
- Stand-up pouches / Doypacks = upright-standing plastic bags with a bottom gusset → stand-up pouches
- Flat bags = simple plastic bags without a closure → flat bags
- Side gusset bags = with side gussets for more volume → side gusset bags
- Cross bottom bags = LDPE film bags with a stable, cross-folded base (not made of paper!) → cross bottom bags
- Adhesion seal bags = with a self-adhesive strip, made of PP/OPP (not PE) → adhesion seal bags
- Vest carrier bags = HDPE carrier bags with carry loops → vest carrier bags guide
- Tubular film / PE tubing = seamless film tubing on a roll, semi-finished stock for bag production → PE tubing guide
Full definitions can also be found in our packaging glossary.
Materials at a glance
| Material | Properties | Typical application |
|---|---|---|
| LDPE (polyethylene, low-density) | soft, stretchy, very easy to print | Film bags, mailing bags, ziplock |
| HDPE (polyethylene, high-density) | harder, rustling, tear-resistant per wall thickness | Vest carrier bags, bin liners |
| PP (polypropylene) | crystal clear, more heat-resistant, crinkly | Adhesion seal bags, clear bags |
| OPP (oriented PP) | particularly stiff and clear | High-quality presentation bags |
| PET | crystal clear, dimensionally stable | Premium packaging, high-end look |
| PA / PE composite | aroma-tight, vacuum-capable | Vacuum bags, coffee bags |
| Aluminium composite | UV- and aroma-tight | Coffee, tea, powders, medicine |
| Recycled LDPE (GRS) | from post-consumer material | Sustainable bags, mailing bags |
| Compostable (EN 13432) | biodegradable | Organic waste caddy, food preservation |
Bag types and their applications
- Ziplock bags – resealable, versatile (see zip bag comparison)
- Slider bags – with a slider closure, particularly convenient
- Stand-up pouches – upright-standing Doypacks, ideal for POS
- Flat bags – simple packaging, transparent or food-grade
- Side gusset bags – expandable, for coffee and food
- Coffee bags – with aroma protection valve, composite material
- Block bottom bags – box-shaped, high-quality look
- Cross bottom bags – LDPE with a cross base, stable
- Adhesion seal bags – with a self-adhesive strip
- Sealed edge bags – sealable, for vacuum & hygiene
- Delivery note pouches – self-adhesive for shipping documents
- Cone bags – cone shape for confectionery & street food
- Side gusset sacks – robust, for industry & logistics
Sizes, gauges & tolerances
Plastic bags come in practically every size – from the mini bag (60×80 mm for individual tablets) to the big-bag liner (1,000×2,000 mm). Standard wall thicknesses: 30–2,000 microns. For the detailed tables, see the PE bag guide.
Applications by industry
- Food: packaging, shipping, freshness retention – always with EU 10/2011 certification
- E-commerce: mailing bags, poly bags for clothing, collection bags
- Industry: liners, collection bags for small parts, corrosion protection
- Pharmacy & medicine: sample shipping, sterile storage, tablets
- Retail: carrier bags, presentation bags, take-away
- Trade & craft: screws, tools, spare parts in flat bags for spare parts
- Farm shop & direct sales: food straight from the stall, bakery liners
- Cosmetics & beauty: sample shipping, product bags, return bags
- Sport & outdoor: waterproof bags, dry bags, sports equipment
Food-grade plastic bags
Only certified bags are approved for direct food contact – to EU 10/2011 and often additionally LFGB. When buying, look for the “glass-and-fork” symbol or the explicit designation. We send declarations of conformity on request. Recommended collections:
Packaging law and legal requirements
Since 2022, lightweight plastic carrier bags under 50 microns wall thickness have been banned in Germany (exception: knot bags under 15 microns for loose food). For all packaging, the German Packaging Act (VerpackG) additionally applies: manufacturers and distributors must register with the LUCID packaging register and participate in a dual system. We advise business customers on these obligations and supply all bags in a legally compliant form.
Sustainable plastic bags
Modern plastic bags are no longer synonymous with “environmentally harmful”. There are three sensible sustainable options:
- Recycled LDPE (GRS-certified) – 100% post-consumer material, functionally identical, a significantly better CO₂ footprint. The most pragmatic option.
- Bio-PE – from sugar cane, chemically identical to fossil PE, recyclable.
- Compostable bags to EN 13432 – for specific applications (organic waste caddy, freshness retention).
Complete range: → Sustainable packaging.
Buying plastic bags
In the packaging bag hub you will find all variants directly from the manufacturer. Benefits: no retailer margin, original declarations of conformity, individual bespoke manufacture, free samples in advance, warehousing and shipping from Germany.
Frequently asked questions
Are plastic bags dangerous for food?
Only explicitly food-grade certified plastic bags (EU 10/2011, often additionally LFGB) are approved for direct food contact. These have been standard in the food industry for decades and are considered very safe.
What is the difference between a poly bag and a PE bag?
No difference – both terms mean bags made of polyethylene (PE). “Poly bag” is short for polyethylene bag. Details in the PE bag guide.
How are plastic bags recycled?
By type, into the yellow bag or yellow bin. Recycled PE becomes new films, bags and plastic products. Roughly remove soiled food residues before recycling.
Which plastic bags are banned?
Banned in Germany: lightweight plastic carrier bags of 15–50 microns. Excepted: very thin knot bags under 15 microns (for loose food) and sturdy reusable carrier bags from 50 microns.
Which plastic bags are biodegradable?
Truly biodegradable are only bags to EN 13432 made from a starch base or PLA. Standard PE bags are not compostable, but fully recyclable.
Are plastic bags UV-resistant?
Standard LDPE becomes brittle under UV over a number of months. For outdoor applications there are UV-stabilised films as a bespoke manufacture. Aluminium composite films block UV almost completely (see coffee bags).
Can I have plastic bags printed with my logo?
Yes – all our bags can be printed individually as part of a bespoke manufacture. Processes: flexo printing, gravure printing, screen printing. More under printing bags.
Are plastic bags reusable?
High-quality bags with a ziplock or slider closure withstand many hundreds of opening cycles. For regular reuse we recommend ziplock bags from 60 microns or drawstring bags.
Which plastic bag for shipping?
For e-commerce shipping, LDPE poly bags or mailing bags with a self-adhesive closure are standard → shipping & bags.
What are the delivery times and minimum quantities?
Standard bags are available ex warehouse in Germany. Bespoke items are produced individually – delivery time and minimum quantity on request. → Request bespoke manufacture.
Straight to the range: → Packaging bag hub · → Packaging films · → Sustainable packaging