A plastic bag, polybag, or pouch is a type of packaging made of thin, flexible, plastic film, nonwoven fabric, or plastic textile. Plastic bags are use for containing and transporting goods such as foods, produce, powders, ice, magazines, chemicals and waste.Several design options and features are available. Some bags have gussets to allow a higher volume of contents. Some have the ability to stand up on a shelf or a refrigerator. Some have easy-opening or reclosable options. Handles are cut into or added onto some.Plastic bags usually use less material than comparable boxes, cartons, or jars, thus are often considered as reduced or minimized packaging

Packaging

Packaging is the technology of enclosing or protecting products for distribution, storage, sale, and use. It also refers to the process of design, evaluation, and production of packages. Packaging contains, protects, preserves, transports, informs, and sells. It is a barrier from oxygen, water vapour, dust, etc. Packages can have features that add convenience in distribution, handling, stacking, display, sale, opening, reclosing, use, dispensing, reuse, recycling, and ease of disposal.  Keeping the contents clean, fresh, sterile and safe for the intended shelf life is a primary function.

Package development involves considerations for sustainability, environmental responsibility, and applicable environmental and recycling regulations. It may involve a life cycle assessment which considers the material and energy inputs and outputs to the package, the packaged product (contents), the packaging process, the logistics system, waste management, etc. It is necessary to know the relevant regulatory requirements for point of manufacture, sale, and use. The traditional “three R’s” of reduce, reuse, and recycle are part of a waste hierarchy which may be considered in product and package development.