{"id":732,"date":"2025-08-19T14:13:02","date_gmt":"2025-08-19T18:13:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bulletinbag.mivamerchant.net\/blog\/?page_id=732"},"modified":"2025-08-19T14:13:03","modified_gmt":"2025-08-19T18:13:03","slug":"reusable-bag-materials-comparison-guide","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bulletinbag.com\/blog\/faqs\/reusable-bag-materials-comparison-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"What material makes the best reusable bags?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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We get asked what the best reusable bag material is all the time! Bulletin Bag features custom bags made from a wide assortment of materials and fabrics. Each material carries its own advantages and disadvantages, so the best reusable bags really ARE in the eye of the beholder!<\/p>\n

While it\u2019s true that manufacturing and shipping reusable bags has an impact on the environment, any reusable bag is more environmentally friendly than the alternative:\u00a0\u00a0single use paper or plastic bags<\/a>.\u00a0High quality bags are often better for the environment in more ways than one.<\/p>\n

So, how do you pick the best reusable bag for your needs? Read about your material options in this guide to help with your decision. You may also want to look at how to wash reusable bags<\/a> as well. Sometimes, the best reusable grocery bags are those that you don’t have to spend extra time cleaning!<\/p>\n

COTTON<\/strong> bags come in many variations. Bulletin Bag offers traditional cotton<\/a>, organic cotton<\/a> and recycled cotton reusable bags<\/a>. Organic cotton<\/a> is grown without pesticides and is typically certified using global standards. Recycled cotton consists of reclaimed organic and traditional cotton scrap (that would typically end up in a landfill), which is reclaimed or spun into new yarn. Traditional Cotton <\/a>production involves a raw, natural fiber, but requires more chemicals than any other crop. \u00a0Note that cotton comes in different weights that are specified in ounces. Cotton canvas reusable bags are typically 10 to 12 ounces, but we do offer less expensive bags that are between 5 and 8 ounces. Take care to note the weight when comparing like bags. Cotton is often regarded as the material which yields the best reusable grocery bags because of its many advantages:<\/p>\n

Advantages<\/em>
\n\u2022 Biodegradable\/Natural plant fiber
\n\u2022 Renewable resource
\n\u2022 Strong and durable
\n\u2022 Soft, smooth and pleasant to the touch
\n\u2022 Widely available in the USA and abroad
\n\u2022 Can be machine washed, with like colors, in cold water. \u00a0We recommend air drying to reduce shrinkage and to preserve the longevity of any printing.
\n\u2022 Cotton\u00a0provides the ideal \u2018canvas\u2019 for logo printing on reusable bags.\u00a0 In addition to screen printing and full color heat transfer printing, some custom cotton bags can also be printed in full bleed<\/p>\n

Disadvantages<\/em>
\n\u2022 Not moisture resistant unless chemically treated
\n\u2022 High water consumption crop
\n\u2022 Traditional (non-organic) cotton accounts for 16% of the world’s pesticides
\n\u2022 Heavy, bulky and expensive to ship
\n\u2022 As with anything made from 100% cotton, bags can shrink and wrinkle with machine washing (to limit this, wash in cold water and air dry).<\/p>\n

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<\/a><\/p>\n

Shop our Cotton Bags<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

HEMP<\/strong> grows well without pesticides or fertilizers and is drought tolerant. Each acre yields three to six tons of dry fiber. Hemp<\/a> fibers are one of Earth’s longest, strongest and most durable fibers and are several times stronger than cotton.<\/p>\n

Advantages<\/em>
\n\u2022 Extremely strong, durable, and rot resistant
\n\u2022 Can grow in poor soils with little water
\n\u2022 Refined hemp is soft, smooth and pleasant to touch
\n\u2022 Most hemp reusable bags can be machine washed and dried
\n\u2022 Hemp gets stronger over time and \u2018breaks in\u2019 nicely when used frequently
\n\u2022 Hemp can be blended with other materials to make highly desirable, high end fabrics with texture similar to linen (hemp is typically blended with cotton or recycled PET)<\/p>\n

Disadvantages<\/em>
\n\u2022 Currently cannot be produced in US (hemp products in the western world are imported)
\n\u2022 Can be expensive
\n\u2022 Can be grainy, though most is refined.\u00a0 Refined hemp uses a fair amount of water<\/p>\n

JUTE<\/strong> is a natural plant fiber, often referred to as hessian or burlap.<\/p>\n

Advantages<\/em>
\n\u2022 Natural renewable resource
\n\u2022 Jute is biodegradable and compostable
\n\u2022 Cultivated
\n\u2022 Durable
\n\u2022 Grows in high rainfall areas and require little to no pesticides or irrigation
\n\u2022 Can be blended with other fabrics (like nonwoven polypropylene)<\/p>\n

Disadvantages<\/em>
\n\u2022 Not very resistant to moisture unless chemically treated or laminated
\n\u2022 Grainy texture
\n\u2022 Printing limited to thick lines and bold objects (no fine details)<\/p>\n

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Shop our Hemp and Jute Bags<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

POLYPROPYLENE<\/strong> is a form of plastic\u2014a flexible resin polymer. Nonwoven polypropylene bags are regarded as the best reusable grocery bags by some, due to their low cost and relative durability. The primary market measurement for nonwoven polypropylene bags<\/a> is GSM (grams per square meter). GSM measures the weight and density of the material. The higher the GSM, the stronger the material. The fabric density is directly correlated to the quality and durability of the bag. GSM is indicated on almost all of our nonwoven polypropylene reusable bags. If it is not specified, please contact us for more information. Polypropylene can also be woven, though it’s not as common a material. We offer several woven polypropylene bags<\/a>, though most are produced overseas at large quantities only.<\/p>\n

Advantages<\/em>
\n\u2022 Recyclable #5
\n\u2022 Very strong
\n\u2022 Can be made from recycled materials
\n\u2022 Chemical resistant
\n\u2022 May be woven, making it less porous and easier to wipe clean
\n\u2022 Wide variety of material color options
\n\u2022 Flexible printing options.\u00a0 Can be screenprinted (spot colors), printed in full color (heat transfer), printed in full color\/full bleed or even laminated with a gloss or matte finish<\/p>\n

Disadvantages<\/em>
\n\u2022 Type of plastic
\n\u2022 Not biodegradable or compostable
\n\u2022 Product of the petrochemical industry
\n\u2022 Non-renewable resource
\n\u2022 Not readily available in the USA
\n\u2022 Not recommended for machine washing (hand wash or spray clean only)
\n\u2022 Texture of the bag and thickness of inks used require fairly thick lines and larger font sizes<\/p>\n

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Shop our Nonwoven Polypropylene Bags<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Shop our Woven Polypropylene Bags<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

NYLON<\/strong> is a type of synthetic polymer originally made to replace silk in fabrics.<\/p>\n

Advantages<\/em>
\n\u2022 Nylon is strong and durable
\n\u2022 Lightweight material
\n\u2022 Compacts easily \u2013 can be folded, stuffed in a pouch, and carried in a pocket, pocketbook, backpack or car cup holder
\n\u2022 Easily dyed which creates interesting material color options
\n\u2022 Water resistant
\n\u2022 Can be screenprinted (spot colors) or printed using a full color heat transfer<\/p>\n

Disadvantages<\/em>
\n\u2022 A petroleum-based product
\n\u2022 Slow to break down
\n\u2022 Heavy use can cause screenprinting inks to break down<\/p>\n

POLYESTER<\/strong> is a polymer typically made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), the same material found in drink bottles. Polyester can be recycled through reheating, thereby converting back into polymer fibers for further reuse.<\/p>\n

Advantages<\/em>
\n\u2022 Versatile material
\n\u2022 Polyester is resistant to water and mold-mildew
\n\u2022 Resistant to crinkling
\n\u2022 Compacts easily \u2013 can be folded, stuffed in a pouch, and carried in a pocket, pocketbook, backpack or car cup holder<\/p>\n

Disadvantages<\/em>
\n\u2022 A form of plastic
\n\u2022 Slow to break down
\n\u2022 Heavy use can cause screenprinting inks to break down<\/p>\n

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<\/a><\/p>\n

Shop our Nylon and Polyester Bags<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

RECYCLED PET<\/strong> is a durable, eco-friendly fabric made from post consumer recycled plastic bottles and containers. Using recycled PET reduces waste and conserves oil and non-renewable resources.\u00a0 Reusable bags made from recycled PET<\/a> create a market for post-consumer recycled materials. Some of our best-selling reusable bags are the ones that are made from recycled materials<\/a>!<\/p>\n

Advantages<\/em>
\n\u2022 Strong and durable
\n\u2022 Requires 2\/3 less energy to manufacture products made out of PET
\n\u2022 Can be blended with other fabric, like hemp or polyester, to make a nice material for reusable bags
\n\u2022 Recycled PET reusable bags can be screenprinted in spot colors.\u00a0 Some blends can be printed with a full color heat transfer.\u00a0 Recycled PET can also be laminated and printed will beautiful full color, \u201call over\u201d graphics<\/p>\n

Disadvantages<\/em>
\n\u2022 A form of plastic
\n\u2022 The process of transporting, sorting and recycling post consumer waste expends energy and can create pollution (Remember: reduce, reuse, recycle — in that order)
\n\u2022 Not recommended for machine washing (hand wash only)<\/p>\n

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Shop our bags made from Recycled Materials<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

LAMINATED <\/strong>bags are finished with a smooth coating so that they can more easily wipe clean than an un-laminated bag made from the same material. The lamination also allows a bag to better maintain its shape, which enables easier loading. Our custom laminated bags<\/a> are made with either woven polypropylene, nonwoven polypropylene, or recycled PET material and come in either gloss or matte finish (depending on the bag). Some bags have lamination on the outside and inside, making it more rigid and even easier to clean.<\/p>\n

Advantages<\/em>
\n\u2022 Strong and durable
\n\u2022 Easy to spray and wipe clean compared to uncoated material
\n\u2022 Keeps its shape and doesn’t flop over
\n\u2022 All the benefits of the uncoated material advantages above!<\/p>\n

Disadvantages<\/em>
\n\u2022 When made with polypropylene, still a form of plastic
\n\u2022 Lamination detracts from the overall percentage of recycled PET in the bag (since laminate is not recycled)
\n\u2022 All the disadvantages of the uncoated material above!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

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Shop our Laminated Bags<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We get asked what the best reusable bag material is all the time! Bulletin Bag features custom bags made from a wide assortment of materials and fabrics. Each material carries its own advantages and disadvantages, so the best reusable bags really ARE in the eye of the beholder! While it\u2019s true that manufacturing and shipping […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":595,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":[],"yoast_head":"\nReusable Bag Materials: Which Option is Best? | Bulletin Bag [.com]<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Bulletin Bag offers a wide selection of reusable bag materials. Which reusable bag materials are best? 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