Common Terms Used When Buying Paper Bags

SOS Bag
also called a block bottom or square bottom bag. SOS bags are “Grocery/ lunch” style bags that stand up on their own when opened. They range in size and are often used for a variety of packaging purposes.

Gusset
an indented side fold of a paper or plastic bag allowing the bag to expand for larger items.

Bottom Gusset
A bottom gusset is formed by pushing the bottom, closed end of a flat poly bag up, into       the bag interior making an accordion type fold or pleat at only the bottom of the bag. Bottom gusset bags are always sidewelded. The size of the bottom gusset is measured across the open or unfolded dimension. The bottoms of plastic bags constructed in this manner sit more or less flat on a surface when filled.

Kraft Paper
High-strength paper made from woodpulp produced by the sulfate pulping process. It may  be bleached or unbleached, and produces a strong paper which is used for wrapping and packaging.

Vent Hole
One or more small holes in a poly bag to allow air and/or moisture to flow through.

 Flat Bags
Length and width measure these two-dimensional bags.

 Grammage
The basis weight of paper stated in metric terms of grams per square meter and expressed as g/m2.

High Tensile /Density Polyethylene
Thinner, yet stronger than low density polyethylene. Moisture and vapor barrier, non- porous.

PLA
A type of bioplastic (also known as organic plastic). Polylactic acid or polylactide (PLA) is a form of plastic derived from corn or sugar cane. Starches from the corn and sugar cane are converted into carbon and other elements that are used to make the plastic polylactide.

Biodegradable
A material that is capable of undergoing decomposition into simple compounds such as carbon dioxide, methane, water, inorganic compounds and biomass. The predominant mechanism for decomposition is the enzymatic action of micro-organisms. There are no requirements regarding residues or time to breakdown.

Degradable
Material that will undergo a process of deterioration or breaking-up by the action of natural forces (air, light, water) or by the addition of certain chemicals, with no micro-organisms involved.

Recyclable
A product or package that can be collected, separated or otherwise recovered from the solid waste stream for reuse. The term may also be applied to the manufacture or assembly of another package or product through an established recycling program. Claims of recyclability should be qualified to the extent necessary to avoid consumer deception about any limited availability of recycling programs and collection sites.