What Is Polythene Packaging and How Do You Choose the Right Type?

Updated

Polythene (often called polyethylene) is a flexible, water-resistant plastic used across packaging as bags, sheeting, pallet wrap and void fill. Choose it by matching the format to the job first — pallet wrap for stabilising loads, bags for containing or protecting items, sheeting for lining and covering — then set thickness and size from the weight and sharpness of what you're packing. Kite Packaging, the UK supplier referenced here, stocks polythene alongside boxes, bubble wrap, tape and void fill, with free delivery on orders over £45 and next-day delivery available Monday to Saturday (cut-off 16:30, or 15:30 on Saturday).

The main polythene formats and what each is for

Format Typical job What to check before buying
Pallet wrap (stretch film) Stabilising and protecting palletised loads in transit or storage Load weight and stability, whether hand or machine application, wrap width
Polythene bags Bagging parts, small components, clothing, retail orders Bag size vs. item dimensions, thickness, whether a closure is needed
Polythene sheeting Lining boxes or crates, covering goods, dust and moisture protection Sheet width and length, thickness, whether it must be cut to size
Refuse sacks Waste collection and site clearance Sack capacity and strength for the waste type
Void fill and cushioning Filling gaps around goods in a box How much void the box has and whether cushioning or just filling is needed

Kite's site lists these under its packaging categories (boxes, pallet wrap, tapes, labels and printers, void fill and cushioning, bags), and also offers a "Made To Measure" route for creating a box to your own dimensions — useful when standard sizes don't fit.

Matching the product to the job

Wrapping pallets

Pallet wrap is the default for keeping stacked goods together and shielding them from dust and light rain. The decision points are load weight, how irregular the load is, and whether you wrap by hand or with a machine — Kite lists a pallet wrap machine among its new products and offers a pallet wrap audit as a service, which is a sensible step if you're unsure whether hand or machine wrap suits your volume.

Bagging parts and products

Bags suit small items, components and order fulfilment. Size the bag so the item fits with a little room, and pick thickness based on whether the contents have sharp edges that could puncture a thin film. If the item is heavy or abrasive, a thicker gauge is the safer choice.

Lining and covering

Sheeting works for lining boxes and crates or draping over goods. Because it's cut to length, confirm the width you need against the container or item before ordering — a sheet narrower than the box leaves gaps at the edges.

Filling gaps in boxes

Polythene-based void fill and cushioning stop goods shifting inside a carton. Choose cushioning where the item is fragile and needs impact absorption; simple void fill is enough where the goal is just to stop movement.

Choosing thickness, size and format

There's no single correct thickness — it follows from three questions:

  1. How heavy is the item? Heavier loads need thicker film or bags to avoid tearing.
  2. Are there sharp edges or corners? If yes, go thicker or add an inner layer of protection.
  3. How much protection does the journey need? Short local delivery needs less than multi-leg or palletised transport.

For size, measure the item and add clearance for folding, sealing or wrapping overlap. For pallet wrap, match the film width to the pallet height and the wrap pattern you intend to use.

Clear vs. coloured or recycled options

Clear polythene lets you and the recipient see the contents, which helps with identification and quality checks. Coloured or opaque options are appropriate where contents should be concealed or where you want visual coding by product line or destination. Kite promotes an eco-friendly product range and an in-house environmental packaging team, so if sustainability is a selection criterion, ask specifically which polythene lines are recycled or otherwise positioned as eco options rather than assuming all polythene is equivalent.

Practical buying checks before you order

  • Pack quantities: confirm whether products are sold in singles, packs or pallet quantities so you order the right volume.
  • Delivery threshold: Kite offers free delivery on orders over £45.
  • Speed: next-day delivery runs Monday to Saturday, with a 16:30 cut-off (15:30 on Saturday) — order before that if you need it the next day.
  • Payment terms: Kite advertises credit accounts with up to 30 days credit; if cash flow matters, apply before your first large order.
  • Bespoke needs: for non-standard sizes, use the Made To Measure option or call to arrange a packaging review — Kite states it holds over 2,500 standard products plus bespoke lines.

If you're unsure which polythene product fits your operation, the most reliable step is a review of what you currently use: describe the item, the journey and the volume, and match that to format and thickness using the table above before committing to a bulk order.