What is LDPE, LLPE, and HDPE?

Plastic bags are made out of different types of plastics. Each type of plastic has its own set of strengths and weaknesses. Choosing the right material for your plastic bags means choosing the type of plastic that has the strengths that align with your specific needs. The following is a comparison of the different types of polyethylene used in plastic bags:

Strength: LDPE bags are usually manufactured with gauges over one mil. Bags made with LDPE are excellent yard bags or outdoor bags as LDPE bags do not run (tear) when punctured. These bags have a glossy appearance and can be manufacturedin gauges highter than a mil (1/1000 inch).

Weakness: LDPE bags generally have a higher cost as more material is used when compared to high density polyethylene (HDPE). As such, low densitypolyethylene bags tend to possesshigher freight and storage costs when compared to HDPE.

Strengths - LLPE bags are strong poly bags that are resistant to punctures or tears. These poly bags require less freight and storage costs when compared to LDPE bags.

Weakness: LLPE bags tend to have a sticky texture making them more difficult to open and use. LLPE bagsalsohave too much stretch when compared to other types of polyethylene.

Strengths: Bags made with HDPE are strong at lower gauges then LDPE, and are measured in microns. As such HDPE bagsare great forstorage and indoor bags . TheHDPE bag has the lowest cost per bag as less material is used, lower freight and storage costs when compared to LDPE.

Weakness - Bags made with HDPE tend to run (tear) more when punctured when compared to LDPE bags. Bags made with HDPE are lighter and more brittle, and tend to float as they do not displace the air around them making them harder to use

Strengths: bags made with ultrablend have the strength of HDPE, the flexibility of LLDPE, and the ease of use of LDPE.

Weakness: Bags made with Ultrablend cost more than HDPE.