Bands vs Plastic Bags
Banding offers a modern alternative to branding and bundling of products that uses significantly less material while improving, recyclability, packaging efficiency, and shelf appeal.
Banding
Banding is a packaging solution in which a paper or film band is wrapped around a product or bundle and sealed in place. It provides an efficient and secure way to bundle, label, and brand products while using minimal packaging material.
Plastic Bags
Plastic bags are a packaging solution that fully encloses a product in a plastic pouch. They provide protection against dust and external influences during storage and transport.
Banding vs plastic bags at a glance
| Banding | Plastic Bags | |
|---|---|---|
| Uses minimal material | ||
| Material type | Paper/Film | Film |
| Designed to optimize recycling | ||
| Single-step packaging process | ||
| Branding and labeling included | ||
| Packaging waste generation | Low | High |
| Packaging efficiency |
Want a deeper analysis?
We've compiled a two blog series on Banding vs Plastic Bags and how bands outperform plastic bags in various ways. Take a look and see for yourself.
Material usage and packaging waste
Plastic bags surround the product, resulting in a much larger amount of packaging material per item. Additional labels and printed inserts often increase material consumption even further.
Banding uses only the material necessary to secure and identify the product. Because the band covers only a small portion of the package, material usage can be reduced significiantly compared to bagging solutions.
Sustainability and recyclability
Plastic bags use a lot of plastic, therefore generating a significant amount of waste that needs to be processed and recycled.
Paper bands on the other hand use minimal material, contributing less waste therefore having to recycle less.
Branding and shelf appeal
By printing designs directly onto the banding material, banding offers the ability to create 360 degree branding around a product or bundle.
With branding by banding you can:
- Add logos and branding elements
- Incorporate product information
- Visualize promotional messaging
- Add Variable data like QR codes
Packaging efficiency
Plastic bag packaging typically involves multiple process steps:
- Opening the bag
- Inserting the product
- Sealing the bag
- Applying labels or stickers
Banding combines product securing and product identification in a single operation.
- Stack is fed into the banding arch
- Items are banded
- Stack leaves the arch
Zwartz replaces plastic packaging with kraft paper bands
Zwartz replaced plastic packaging with pre printed kraft paper bands to better match the natural appearance of its jute products. The new packaging solution strengthened the brand's sustainable image while combining packaging, branding, and product information into a single material efficient solution.
The switch resulted in improved product presentation, reduced plastic usage, higher customer satisfaction, and a noticeable increase in sales, proving that sustainable packaging can also deliver commercial benefits.
Compare banding to other packaging solutions
Make your packaging adhesive free and more recycable.
