Paper Bags vs. Plastic Bags for Takeout and Food Delivery

For restaurant owners, the choice between paper bags vs. plastic bags for takeout and food delivery is more than just a personal preference. Your selection impacts food quality and brand perception and can also have environmental consequences.

Considerations When Choosing Paper Bags vs. Plastic Bags for Food Delivery and Takeout

Both paper and plastic takeout bags have advantages and disadvantages. Food service businesses must weigh multiple factors when selecting the takeout and delivery bags, including:

Best uses: Restaurant paper bags may be better suited to some uses, while plastic is a better choice for others. Keep your primary use for bags in mind when choosing between paper and plastic.
Branding: If you want to include your business’ name, logo, or other branding, that should be part of your decision.
Cost: Many food service businesses must balance cost with other factors to keep packaging affordable.
Durability: One type of food delivery bag may hold up better for your restaurant than another. You don’t want bags breaking before orders get to your customers.
Environmental impact: Some people consider take-out paper bags more eco-friendly than their plastic counterparts, while others prefer to use recycled plastics.
Size: The bags you select must accommodate your offerings. They can range from flat paper sleeves to full plastic totes.
Type of food: Restaurants that sell complete meals may have different packaging needs compared to a bakery or cafe.

Take the time to compare plastic bags vs. paper bags for food delivery to see which one is a better choice for fulfilling your takeout orders.

Durability of Paper Bags vs. Plastic Bags

You don’t want your customers getting halfway to their door only to have the bottom of their paper takeout bag fall out. That would create a negative impression in their mind and potentially harm your reputation, which is why food delivery bag durability is so important.

When comparing the durability of plastic bags vs. paper bags for to-go containers, plastic often comes out on top. One of the greatest benefits of plastic bags for takeout is that they are very durable. They withstand heat, grease, and spills without ripping or stretching. Many plastic bags can accommodate large orders while still retaining their shape and structure.

You also have many design options for plastic food delivery bags. For example, many casual restaurants use plastic T-shirt bags to hold takeout containers, while others opt for heavy-duty plastic totes.

Cafes, bakeries, and sandwich shops may find that paper bags are sufficiently durable for regular orders. Additionally, many upscale restaurants prefer to use lined and reinforced paper shopping bags for to-go orders.

Environmental Considerations of Paper and Plastic Food Delivery Bags

More and more consumers are taking notice of businesses’ sustainability efforts. As a result, you want to choose take-out paper or plastic bags that promote your eco-friendly image.

You have to look at the whole picture to really form an opinion about the environmental impact of a food bag. That includes factors such as:

Disposal methods: Recyclable or compostable bags are definitely more sustainable than those that end up in landfills.
Production: The types of materials, how they are sourced, and manufacturing practices all play into a final product’s environmental impact. Recycled bags are very sustainable, and many can be recycled after use.
Typical usage: If a paper bag will get destroyed after one use, but a plastic one can be reused at least once, the latter may be a more eco-friendly option.

Many people consider eco-friendliness one of the biggest benefits of paper bags. Kraft paper is fully recyclable and compostable, so you might want to consider that a selling point for them. However, plastic bags can also be a green choice.

Cost-Effectiveness of Plastic Bags vs. Paper Bags for Takeout

Cost is a consideration for many restaurants, especially for a disposable item that does not affect food quality. Comparing the cost of similarly sized paper bags vs. plastic bags can help determine which one is more cost-effective for you.

Keep in mind that this is not the same as which one is the cheapest. You might find it better to pay a little more for a sustainable bag that has your logo than to use a generic virgin plastic one.

Plastic bags vs paper bags

Food Delivery Bags for Hot Foods

Transporting hot foods is where plastic totes really shine. They can securely hold multiple individual take-out containers while containing possible spills. Plus, many customers choose to reuse plastic bags for other items, which extends their usefulness.

Kraft paper food delivery bags are also a great choice for hot foods. They allow steam to escape, and special coatings help contain grease. Comparing the pros and cons of paper bags vs. plastic bags can help you choose which one might work better for your hot food deliveries.

Restaurant Paper Bags for Cold and Frozen Foods

Ice cream shops, salad restaurants, and other food service establishments specializing in cold foods have to consider which packaging material is best suited to their specific needs.

For example, plastic can trap heat and moisture, which might be problematic for frozen foods in some climates. In this area, the breathability of paper food delivery bags makes them a favorite. On the other hand, restaurant plastic bags are great for items that might spill and ruin a paper bag.

Customization Options for Takeout and Food Delivery Bags

Paper take-out and delivery bags are often better suited to customization than plastic ones. That is an important consideration when comparing the two because adding a logo, business name, or slogan can help people identify your take-out bags and help grow your brand.

Customization options you might want to consider include screen foil hot stamping and flexographic ink printing. The former is more expensive but produces a very high-end look. Ink printing is a cost-effective way to add a clear and recognizable logo to bags.

Upgrade Your Restaurant Paper Bags

Whatever you decide when comparing paper bags vs. plastic bags, Enviro Packaging has eco-friendly options for your food delivery needs. We offer premium plastic and paper takeout bags made from sustainable, recycled, and recyclable materials. We can also customize your bags with a name, logo, or design.

FAQs About Paper Bags vs. Plastic Bags for Takeout

If you are still considering the pros and cons of paper bags vs. plastic bags for your to-go and takeout orders, we can help. Read our answers to some of the questions we hear most often.