Polythene Bags

How to choose the right polythene bag

Start with micron thickness based on the weight and nature of the contents, then choose the bag format for the application.

1. 30 micron, light duty: Thin, lightweight polythene for protecting items from dust and moisture in low-demand applications. Food approved. Suitable for light goods, printed materials, and retail display. Supplied in convenient dispenser boxes.
2. 50 micron, medium duty: The most widely used grade for warehouse, office, and industrial applications. Food approved. Suitable for heavier or rougher-shaped objects and products requiring greater protection. Supplied in dispenser boxes.
3. 150 micron, heavy duty: Ultra-heavy duty polythene for tough working environments. Heat sealed seams to prevent splitting. Suitable for heavy, bulky, or abrasive items. Available in 30% recycled content. Sizes from 150 x 250mm up to 975 x 1475mm.
4. Bag format: Choose plain open-top bags for sealing with a heat sealer or bag ties. Choose grip seal bags for resealable, hands-free closure. Choose self seal bags with adhesive strip for quick no-heat closure. Choose gusseted bags for items with depth or volume. Choose layflat tubing to cut and seal custom sizes for any product dimension.

Polythene bag ranges

Plain polythene bags

Open-top clear polythene bags in 30, 50, and 150 micron for warehouse, industrial, food production, and retail applications. 30 micron and 50 micron are food approved. Sealed with bag ties, tape, or a heat sealer. Supplied in dispenser boxes for clean, efficient use at the packing station. Available in a range of sizes from small components up to large items.

Grip seal bags

Resealable grip seal polybags with a push-close zip-lock top, no heat sealer required. Clear with high visibility of contents for stock control, retail display, and small parts storage. Available in 60 micron 50% recycled content. Suitable for organising, storing, and presenting small items including components, stationery, food, and retail goods. Sold in packs of 1,000.

Self seal bags

Self sealing bags with adhesive strip, zip lock, or drawstring closure, no heat required. Available in 40-100 micron. Suitable for clothing and garment packaging, greeting cards, ecommerce despatch, and retail display. Drawstring variants are food approved and reusable. Adhesive strip variants provide tamper evidence for ecommerce packaging.

Layflat tubing

Continuous rolls of flat polythene tube cut to length and heat sealed to create custom-sized bags for any product dimension. Available in 62 micron medium duty for clothing, soft goods, and light items, and 125 micron heavy duty for machinery parts, furniture, and bulky or sharp-edged items. Clear for visibility and black for security and concealment. Compatible with heat sealers for fast, clean closure.

Bubble bags

Polythene bags with an inner bubble lining for shock protection during transit and storage. Suitable for fragile items, electronics, glassware, and products requiring cushioning without a separate box. Available in 30% recycled content with adhesive strip closure.

Antistatic and VCI bags

Specialist polythene bags providing protection from static discharge and corrosion. VCI (Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor) grip seal bags protect metal parts, tools, and engineering components from corrosion during storage and international shipping, where exposure to moisture, sea salt, and temperature changes creates rust risk. Antistatic bags protect electronic components and PCBs from electrostatic discharge damage.

Frequently asked questions

What are polythene bags used for?

Polythene bags are used across warehouse, manufacturing, food production, ecommerce, and retail operations for protecting goods from dust, moisture, and contamination during storage and transit. Common applications include component storage, garment packaging, food packaging, ecommerce despatch, retail display, and protecting items during international shipping. The correct bag type and micron depends on the weight, fragility, and nature of the contents.

What does micron mean for plastic bags?

Micron (µm) is the unit of measurement for polythene bag thickness. One micron equals one-millionth of a metre. A higher micron count means a thicker, stronger, and more durable bag. RAJAPACK stocks polythene bags from 30 micron for light duty applications up to 150 micron for heavy duty warehouse and industrial use. As a guide: 30 micron suits light, clean goods; 50 micron suits general warehouse and industrial use; 150 micron suits heavy, bulky, or abrasive items.

What is the difference between grip seal bags and self seal bags?

Grip seal bags have a zip-lock press-close top that can be opened and resealed repeatedly without any adhesive or heat. Self seal bags have a peel-and-stick adhesive strip that creates a one-time permanent seal, or a drawstring that can be tied and untied. Grip seal bags are better suited to storage and repeated access. Self seal adhesive bags are better for ecommerce despatch and retail packaging where tamper evidence and a clean presentation are required.

What is layflat tubing?

Layflat tubing is a continuous roll of polyethylene film in a flattened tube shape, cut to the required length and heat sealed at one or both ends to create a custom-sized bag for any product dimension. It is the most versatile polythene bagging solution for products that do not fit standard bag sizes, including irregularly shaped items, clothing, industrial components, and printed materials. Available in medium duty 62 micron and heavy duty 125 micron, in clear and black.

Are polythene bags recyclable?

Yes. Polythene bags are recyclable, though most local authority kerbside collections do not accept them and they need to be taken to a soft plastics collection point. RAJAPACK offers recycled content polythene bags across the range, including 30% recycled 150 micron heavy duty bags and 50% recycled 60 micron grip seal polybags, helping reduce virgin plastic use in your packaging operation.

Can I buy polythene bags in bulk?

Yes. RAJAPACK supplies polythene bags in bulk to businesses across the UK, with volume discounts applied automatically from 3 packs. Available for next-day delivery to mainland UK on orders placed before 4pm. Free delivery on orders over £180 excl. VAT. All orders are covered by the RAJAPACK service promise. For high-volume requirements, contact the RAJAPACK team.

You might also need

• Heat sealers for sealing plain open-top polythene bags and layflat tubing cleanly and securely.
• Bag sealers and bag ties for quick, no-heat closure of open-top polythene bags.
• Mailing bags for ecommerce despatch of clothing, soft goods, and documents.
• Packaging tape for sealing plain polythene bags where a heat sealer is not available.

Need help finding the right polythene bag for your operation? Contact the RAJAPACK team.