Negosentro| Natural materials used for making reusable storage bags |Storage bags are one of the essential household items that have multipurpose use, which is why many people call it all-purpose storage bags. The bags are readily available in various sizes for putting many different things into it, from blankets to vacuum cleaners and other large items. Mostly made from fabrics, these are reusable bags, and you can find a wide range of bags in the market that suits any needs.
As these bags are reusable, durability is an important consideration when selecting the material of the bags, which serves the purpose of prolonged storage. The materials are usually heavy and thick and often made more than a single material (composite material) that gives more strength and durability. Such material also enhances the looks and appeal of the bags.
Material types
Reusable bags meant for storage are usually made from fabric and plastic. Cotton and canvas, Calico, Hemp, and Jute are among the chosen fabrics. Reusable plastic bags are made from a range of polymers like polypropylene, Polyester/ recycled PET, Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE), Conventional polyethylene, nylon, High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and HDPE with prodegradant additive.
Cotton and Canvas bags
Cotton bags are the most common types of bags used for storage and made from natural cotton fibres. Cotton cultivation depends on renewable crop source, and the traditional methods of cultivation use pesticides and chemicals along with plenty, which raises environmental concerns. On the other hand, organic cultivation of cotton does not use pesticides and chemicals, which makes it an environmentally friendly crop. Cotton, being bio-degradable, is a renewable resource that produces a soft but sturdy fabric that is suitable for machine wash in cold water. Special treatment of the bags is necessary to make it moisture resistant.
Calico
Calico is a variant of cotton storage bags that uses semi=processed and unbleached cotton, and it has similar characteristics like cotton bags. Calico bags are environment-friendly as it does not undergo full processing and bleaching, and it is cheaper than cotton bags. The bags are strong and durable but prone to shrinking when washed in water, hot or cold.
Hemp
Hemp is the chosen material for bags that are stronger than cotton bags. Like cotton, Hemp is a natural fibre that has widescale industrial and textile applications. Hemp belongs to the family of the marijuana plant that can tolerate drought and organically grows in poor soils without using fertilizers or pesticides. Besides being very strong, Hemp bags are rot-resistant and you can wash and dry them in machine. Hemp blends with other fabric materials to produce high-end fabrics that have a texture like linen. Cotton and recycled PET are the preferred materials that blend with hemp.
Jute
Jute is another natural source of fibre used for spinning coarse, strong threads. Jute or hessian requires minimal irrigation and pesticides because it grows in areas of high rainfall. Jute is a renewable source of fibre that is quite durable, relatively cheap, biodegradable, and compostable and compatible for blending with other fabrics like non-woven polypropylene.
