Paper or Plastic? Pros and Cons of Kraft Paper and Plastic Bags

Disposable shipping bags are widely used throughout the retail industry and beyond. Which is the better bag choice: paper or plastic?

Kraft Paper Bags

First up: paper. What are kraft paper bags, what are they used for, and why should you use them? Paper bags have been used in retail since the 1850s, predating their plastic cousins by more than a century. And they are a strong contender in the retail bag market today, with many consumers preferring them. What makes the paper bag so enduring? 

What are paper bags used for?

Kraft paper bags are widely used in the retail, restaurant and shipping industries. Some popular uses for kraft paper bags include:

• Bagging groceries
• Bagging retail purchases, including clothing, home goods and hardware
• Packaging up to-go orders for restaurants
• Lunch bags
• Wrapping small items for shipping
• Gift wrapping

What is kraft paper?

Kraft paper is a sturdy paper product made of softwood pulp. While it can be bleached, it is most often seen in its classic brown color. Kraft paper is stronger than regular paper, offering high tear resistance, tensile strength, durability and elasticity. Brown kraft-grade paper is also highly economical.

What kinds of paper bags are available?

Paper bags are available in various sizes and weights and either with handles or without.

• Handle bags are popular for carryout orders and retail establishments. Consumers love them because they are easy and convenient to carry; many people save sturdy paper handle bags for other uses after they put away their purchases. They also make great gift bags.
• Larger bags without handles are most often used as grocery bags.
• Small bags without handles make convenient disposable lunch bags. They are also handy in retail for bagging small pieces and parts such as nuts, bolts and fittings.

What are the advantages of paper bags?

Paper bags offer some significant advantages for retailers and consumers.

• Kraft paper is fully recyclable, biodegradable and even compostable; it will break down in the environment without harmful byproducts.
• Paper bags are sturdier than plastic and can usually hold more weight; a standard grocery bag can hold nearly 40 pounds.
• Paper bags hold their shape while open for easy bagging and more attractive presentation and display. The rigidity also provides more protection for delicate items such as fresh produce, which may be squashed in plastic.
• Paper bags are often saved and reused by consumers—and many consumers prefer them.
• Paper handle bags are better for carrying heavy or bulky objects.
• Paper bags are safer for children and pets as they do not present a suffocation hazard.

What are the disadvantages of paper bags?

The main disadvantage of paper bags is that they are not waterproof. Uncoated kraft paper readily absorbs water and breaks down quickly when wet. Waxy coatings can help, but drive up costs for the bags and still do not provide complete waterproofing. Paper bags will not protect goods from the elements and can become a breeding ground for molds or bacteria if left wet. They are also prone to fail if the bottom gets wet from product leakage.

Another disadvantage: storage. Paper bags are heavier and bulkier than plastic, and take up a lot more storage room.

What impacts the costs of paper bags?

Paper bag costs are dependent on several factors, including:

• Whether or not they have a handle
• The thickness and quality of the paper
• The size of the bag

Whichever type of bag you are buying, the best way to save money on paper bags is to buy in bulk. Buying 1,000 paper bags will be cheaper than buying 100 at a time. Thinner bags with lower-quality materials will also save money, but keep in mind that they will also tear more easily. If you end up double-bagging to reinforce their strength, you won’t see any savings. Low-quality bags may also cause customer dissatisfaction.

Plastic Retail Bags

Plastic retail bags—sometimes called t-shirt bags—have exploded in popularity since their introduction in the 1960s and have taken over as the bag of choice for many grocery and retail establishments. And no wonder: they are economical, convenient and easy to use and store.

What are plastic bags used for?

Plastic bags are widely used as grocery and retail bags. They can be used for bagging all kinds of consumer goods, from produce to t-shirts.

What are plastic bags made of?

Most retail plastic bags are made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), a type of thermoplastic polymer. Plastic bags are made through a process called blown film extrusion.

What are the advantages of plastic bags?

Plastic bags offer a lot of benefits for consumers and retailers.

• Cost is one of their big selling points; at just pennies per bag, plastic bags are the most economical option for retailers.
• Plastic bags are waterproof, offering better protection from the elements. They also prevent leaks from liquid products spilled inside the bag from damaging the customer’s clothes, car or home.
• Due to its non-porous nature, plastic inhibits the growth of microorganisms, making t-shirt bags a sanitary choice.
• Plastic bags are very flexible and adaptable for oddly-shaped goods or collections of products.
• Plastic bags are lightweight and very thin, so they don’t take up nearly as much room on retail counters.
• The bags can be hung on retail racks that hold them open for bagging, so bagging is fast and efficient.
• Plastic bags are reusable and recyclable.
• Plastic bags can carry many times their own weight and can easily be double-bagged for added durability when bagging heavy things such as canned goods, beverages or tools.

What are the disadvantages of plastic bags?

T-shirt bags used for retail do have a few drawbacks.

• Plastic does not break down well in the environment. Because they are so lightweight, fugitive plastic bags have made their way around the globe via wind and water. Plastic bags in the environment are a danger to wildlife and eventually break down into harmful microplastics.
• Because of the environmental concerns, some states and municipalities have started to ban plastic bags or institute a consumer charge designed to discourage their use.
• Plastic bags are prone to splitting if overloaded, which can create a significant inconvenience for consumers.
• Plastic bag recycling is not available everywhere. Unlike paper, the HDPE used for t-shirt bags is not typically accepted in curbside recycling programs. Most grocery chains will accept plastic bags back for recycling, but few consumers take the time to recycle their bags.
• Plastic bags are a suffocation hazard for small children and animals.

What impacts the cost of plastic bags?

Plastic bag costs are dependent on quality and quantity. Buying in bulk is the best way to reduce the cost of plastic retail bags. The thickness of the plastic (in mils) will also impact bag pricing, but thinner bags will also be less durable and more prone to splitting. Keep in mind how much weight you need the bag to carry before opting for a cheaper bag.

Paper vs. Plastic Bags: Which is Better?

Which should you choose, paper or plastic bags? The decision depends on several factors, including:

• The size, weight and shape of the contents the bag will carry
• Whether or not liquids will be carried
• State and local regulations regarding plastic bag use
• Local recycling capabilities
• Cost
• Storage considerations
• Consumer preference

Many grocery stores and retail establishments choose to offer both, giving consumers a choice at the checkout.

Which is better for the environment: paper or plastic bags?

Many people wonder whether paper or plastic bags are more sustainable. The answer is complicated. To determine which bags are best, researchers have to consider the complete lifecycle of the bag, including raw materials, energy and water used for initial production, recyclability, reuse and environmental impact.

• In terms of manufacturing, plastic bags come out ahead. HDPE bags use significantly less water, energy and raw materials than paper bags. A 2014 study showed that it takes 58 gallons of fresh water to produce 1,500 plastic bags, compared to 1,004 gallons of water to produce 1,000 paper bags. Manufacturing a paper bag uses almost 3.5 times the energy needed to manufacture a plastic bag. And more toxic chemicals are created in paper manufacturing than in plastic manufacturing.
• Plastic bags are, in theory, more recyclable than paper. Paper can be recycled to make more paper, but the pulp fibers lose integrity with each recycling process. That’s why most paper goods only have a portion of recycled content. HDPE plastic, by contrast, can be virtually endlessly melted and reprocessed into new plastic bags. In practice, however, only a fraction of plastic bags are actually recycled. This is primarily due to the fact that they are not accepted for curbside pickup in most locations.
• The biggest environmental drawback of plastic bags is litter. Plastic bags can persist for a long time in the environment and be carried around the globe via wind or water. Plastic bags have been an environmental disaster for marine wildlife in particular, and are responsible for numerous deaths in fish, turtles, dolphins and other marine mammals who ingest them. In both terrestrial and marine environments, HDPE breaks down into toxic microplastics, which can end up in human food supplies.

Which bags are cheaper: paper or plastic?

Per bag, HDPE t-shirt bags are less than half the cost of paper grocery bags. However, when comparing costs between paper and plastic bags, it is important to also consider carrying capacity. A paper grocery bag can carry more items than a plastic grocery bag; paper can hold more weight and can be filled right to the top. Baggers may compensate by double bagging heavy items when using plastic bags. These factors must be considered in the overall cost comparison.

Need help choosing the right retail bag?

Benchmark sells both plastic t-shirt bags and high-quality kraft paper bags for all your bagging needs. Tell us what you need to bag, and we’ll help you make the right choice. Contact us with questions.