Cotton, jute, hemp, polypropylene (PP), recycled PET, and many other materials are available for reusable supermarket bags. All of the fabrics have their own set of advantages, and they are all environmentally beneficial because they can be reused multiple times. We’ve put up a list of the most common fabrics and materials used to make reusable grocery bags below.
Cotton bags
Cotton bags are a popular reusable plastic bag substitute. Organic cotton (produced without pesticides), recycled cotton (reclaimed cotton scrap), and standard cotton can all be used to make them (chemically treated, raw and natural). Cotton bags are soft, have a smooth texture, are long-lasting, biodegradable, readily available, and simple to clean.
Cotton, on the other hand, necessitates a large number of resources to grow and cultivate. In addition, they are not moisture resistant unless chemically treated, have high manufacturing and shipping cost, and shrink when washed in the machine.
Hemp Bags
Hemp is a good natural option as well. Hemp plants use very little water, yet one acre of hemp can produce up to 6 tonnes of fibre. Hemp reusable bags are sturdy (much stronger than cotton), long-lasting, rot-resistant, soft and smooth to the touch, and machine washable. The only drawback to hemp bags is that they have a large carbon footprint. In addition, most Western countries cannot grow hemp, which raises the overall cost of the bags.
Polypropylene (PP) Bags
PP bags are strong, reusable plastic bags that may be used over and over again. They are available in various colours and sizes and can be made from both non-woven and woven polypropylene. PP bags are sturdy, chemically resistant, easy to wipe clean, have low porosity, various colour possibilities, and brand printing versatility. Its main drawbacks are that it is not compostable and that it is not suggested for machine washing.
Recycled PET Bags
Recycled PET is a long-lasting, environmentally friendly fabric manufactured from recycled plastic bottles and containers. Recycling PET minimizes waste while also conserving fuels and non-renewable resources. However, transporting, sorting, and recycling post-consumer garbage consumes energy and can pollute the environment. They advise against using a washing machine (handwash only).
If you’re looking for a reusable grocery bag maker in India, Daks is one of the most dependable options.