Plastic bag 1613879 224701414 2008-07-10T01:01:28Z Rlsheehan 2414730 /* External links */ [[Image:Plastic food bags.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Plastic food bags/pouches]] A '''plastic bag''' or '''pouch''' is a type of flexible [[packaging]] made of thin, flexible, plastic film. Plastic bags are used for containing and transporting foods, produce, powders, ice, chemicals, waste, etc. Most are heat sealed together. Some are bonded with adhesives or are stitched. A press-to-close zipper can be used to open and close the bag many times. ==Bag types== ===Packages=== [[Image:Gardening bags.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Plastic bags of gardening supplies]] Bags or pouches are a type of [[packaging]] for containing frozen food, fresh produce, snack foods, hardware, gardening products, etc. They are often made from a single roll of film on a horizontal or [[vertical form fill sealing machine]]. Several design options and features are available. Some bags have gussets to allow a higher volume of contents. Some have the ability to stand up on a shelf or a refrigerator. Some have easy-opening or reclosable options. Handles are cut into or added onto some. [[Bag-In-Box]] packaging is often used for liquids such as wine and institutional sizes of other liquids. Plastic bags usually use less material than comparable boxes, cartons, or jars, thus are often considered as "reduced or minimized packaging". Depending on the construction, plastic bags can be well suited for [[plastic recycling]]. They can be incinerated in appropriate facilities for [[waste-to-energy]] conversion. They are stable and benign in sanitary [[landfill]]s.<ref>[http://www.slate.com/id/2169287/nav/navoa/ Slate Explainer, 27 June 2007.]</ref> If disposed of improperly, however, plastic bags can create unsightly [[litter]] and harm some types of [[wildlife]]. <ref>[http://www.furcommission.com/resource/perspect999ce.htm FCUSA Commentary, Plastic Bags on Our Backs, May 2008.] </ref> Bags are also made with carrying handles, hanging holes, tape attachments, security features, etc. Some bags have provisions for easy opening and re-closing. Some bags are sealed and can only be opened by destroying the packaging, providing some [[tamper-evident]] capability. ===Plastic shopping bags=== {{main|Plastic shopping bag}} Open bags with carrying handles are used in large numbers worldwide. Stores often provide them as a convenience to shoppers. Some stores charge a nominal fee for a bag. Heavy duty multiple-use shopping bags are often considered environmentally better than single-use [[paper]] or [[plastic shopping bag]]s. When possible single-use bags should be [[recycle]]d or [[reuse]]d as trash bags, storage bags, etc. Responsible [[solid waste]] usage is encouraged. Used bags should not be [[litter]]ed: this can be unsightly and damage wildlife. === Trash bags or Bin bags === {{main|Bin bag}} Plastic bags are a convenient and sanitary way of handling and containing rubbish, and are widely used. Plastic bags are often used for lining waste containers or bins. ===Flexible intermediate bulk container=== {{main|Flexible intermediate bulk container}} Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers (Big bags, bulk bags, etc.) are large industrial containers, usually used for powders or flowables. ==Danger to children== About 25 children in the United States suffocate each year due to plastic bags, most under the age of one year. This has led to voluntary warning labels on some bags, especially [[dry cleaning]] bags, which pose a hazard when placed on the same adult bed as a baby.<ref>[http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/5064.html Consumer Product Safety Commission]</ref> ==External links== *[http://www.packagingknowledge.com Packaging Knowledge] *[http://www.packagingnews.co.uk Packaging News] *[http://www.flexpack.org/] Flexible Packaging Organization *[http://www.kaysons.in/articles/biodocs.htm The Real Cost of Plastic Bags Biodoc#5] ==See also== *[[Box wine]] *[[Bag-In-Box]] *[[Plastic recycling]] *[[Biodegradable polythene film]] *[[Biodegradation]] * [[Milk bag]] *[[Natural environment|Environment]] *[[Litter]] *[[Photodegradation]] *[[Refuse-derived fuel]] *[[Trash bag]] *[[Ziploc]] *[[Zipper storage bag]] ==Notes== {{reflist}} ==References== * Brody, A. L., and Marsh, K, S., "Encyclopedia of Packaging Technology", John Wiley & Sons, 1997, ISBN 0-471-06397-5 * Soroka, W, "Fundamentals of Packaging Technology", IoPP, 2002, ISBN 1-930268-25-4 * Selke, S, "Packaging and the Environment", 1994, ISBN 1566761042 [[Category:Bags]] [[Category:Packaging]] [[Category:Containers]] [[ar:أكياس نايلون]] [[nds-nl:Puut]] [[ru:Полиэтиленовый пакет]] [[fi:Muovikassi]] [[vi:Bao bì nilon]] [[zh:塑料袋]]