12 lb Compostable Shopping Bags Heavy Duty
Heavy-Duty 12lb T-Shirt Compostable Shopping Bags — Industrial-Grade Strength Without the Plastic
| Material | PBAT + PLA + Plant Starch (Co-extruded 3-Layer Film) |
| Thickness | 22 microns (0.88 mil) |
| Dimensions | 18" x 22" (W x H) + 4" Gusset |
| MOQ | 10,000 pcs (natural); 50,000 pcs (custom printed) |
| Lead Time | 15-20 business days (natural); 25-30 business days (custom printed) |
Free samples shipped within 3 business days via DHL/FedEx. Custom-printed samples: 7u201310 days. · 12-month shelf-life from date of manufacture. Free replacement of any stock showing premature degradation or defects when stored at 15–30°C, <60% RH, away from direct sunlight.
PRODUCT OVERVIEW
Why specify ES-SB-01
ES-SB-01 is our heavy-duty compostable T-shirt shopping bag — specified for grocery chains and retail operations where load capacity and checkout speed matter more than the lowest unit cost..
The differentiator is gauge. At 22 μm, it reliably holds 12 lbs (5.4 kg) per bag — roughly 20 % more load than our standard T-shirt bag (ES-SB-03).
Where it sits in our range. ES-SB-01 costs roughly 15–20 % more than our standard T-shirt bag (ES-SB-03) — the premium covers the heavier film gauge.
When not to specify it. If your market is purely price-driven or your checkout volume means bags are double-bagged anyway, ES-SB-03 gives you the same certifications at a lower per-bag cost..
If your market is purely price-driven or your checkout volume means bags are double-bagged anyway, ES-SB-03 gives you the same certifications at a lower per-bag cost.
WHY CHOOSE THIS PRODUCT
Key Features
12 lb (5.4 kg) rated load capacity
the heavy-duty checkout bag for grocery loads double-bagged elsewhere — one bag, one trip
22 μm co-extruded 3-layer film
roughly 20 % thicker than our standard T-shirt bag, for HDPE-comparable puncture resistance
4" gusset with reinforced seams
opens flat on the rack and expands for bulky grocery items without failure
EN 13432 + ASTM D6400 (BPI) + OK Compost HOME + AS 5810
one SKU certified for EU, US, and Australian retail compliance
Wholesale pack: 250 pcs per carton
rack-ready bulk format for high-volume grocery and retail checkout
Up to 6-colour flexo print, MOQ 50,000 pcs
custom-branded heavy-duty bags for chains that want the bag to carry the brand
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Specifications
| Material | PBAT + PLA + Plant Starch (Co-extruded 3-Layer Film) |
| Thickness | 22 microns (0.88 mil) |
| Dimensions | 18" x 22" (W x H) + 4" Gusset |
| Color | Natural translucent off-white; custom Pantone available (MOQ 50,000 pcs) |
| Capacity | 12 lbs / 5.4 kg (dry goods) |
| Pack Count | 250 pcs per carton; 4 cartons per master case |
| MOQ | 10,000 pcs (natural); 50,000 pcs (custom printed) |
| Lead Time | 15-20 business days (natural); 25-30 business days (custom printed) |
| Carton Dimensions | 24" x 18" x 14" / 15 kg gross weight |
| Certifications | EN 13432, ASTM D6400, BPI, OK Compost HOME, AS 5810, OK Compost INDUSTRIAL, TÜV, FDA, SGS |
DIRECT COMPARISON
Compostable vs conventional HDPE T-shirt bags
| ESINLE ES-SB-01 (12 lb) | Conventional HDPE | |
|---|---|---|
| Material | PBAT+PLA+plant starch — 3-layer co-extruded film, 22 μm | Fossil-based polyethylene |
| Load rating | 12 lb — HDPE-class strength | 10–15 lb |
| End-of-life | Home or industrial compost — returns to soil in 12 weeks (industrial) to 12 months (home) | Centuries in landfill; fragments into microplastics |
| Certifications | EN 13432 · OK Compost HOME · AS 5810 · FDA | None |
| Regulatory position | Permitted under California SB 1053 and all US bag laws | Banned under SB 1053 and 20+ state/local laws |
| Custom printing | Water-based soy inks, up to 8-colour flexo | Solvent inks common |
CERTIFICATIONS
Certifications explained
EN 13432 — EU Compostability Standard
The harmonised European standard: 90%+ biodegradation within 6 months, plus disintegration and ecotoxicity limits. The basis for EU compostability claims and Single-Use Plastics Directive compliance.
ASTM D6400 (BPI) — North American Compostability Standard
The US reference standard for compostable claims, verified through BPI certification: 90%+ biodegradation within 180 days, plus disintegration and ecotoxicity limits. The basis for US and Canadian compostable claims.
OK Compost HOME — TÜV Austria
Home-compostability mark: verified to biodegrade at ambient temperatures in a backyard pile within 12 months — the strictest end-of-life standard a shopping bag can carry.
AS 5810 — Australian Home Compostable
The Australian home-compostability standard, required for compostable claims in AU/NZ retail. Same 12-month home-compost performance, audited annually.
OEM / ODM
Customization Options
Custom size from (25-40+7.5x2)cm x 40-65cm. Thickness 15-70 microns. Up to 6-color flexographic printing with your brand artwork. Material blend ratio adjustable for specific strength or degradation targets. Custom packaging options: header card, euro-slot, bulk dispenser box. Minimum 500 kg for fully custom production.
FACTORY CAPABILITIES
Esinle OEM Capabilities
Every product in our range is backed by these manufacturing capabilities from our 15,000 m² Guangzhou facility.
Custom Dimensions
Width, gusset depth, and length adjusted to your exact packaging line requirements. No minimum dimension change penalty.
Printing & Branding
Up to 8-colour flexographic printing with your artwork. MOQ 50,000 pcs for custom print; lower MOQs available with plate-sharing.
In-House Compounding
We compound our own PLA/PBAT/starch resin blends — adjusting flexibility, bio-based %, and degradation timeline per SKU.
BEHIND EVERY PRODUCT
15,000 m² vertically integrated facility
From resin compounding through film blowing, printing, and bag conversion — every step is done in-house. This gives us direct control over quality, lead time, and cost.
USE CASES
Applications
Grocery and supermarket checkout
replaces single-use HDPE T-shirt bags
Farmers' markets and organic produce stands
aligns with zero-waste brand ethos
Boutique clothing and gift retail
premium hand-feel elevates the unboxing experience
Takeaway and food delivery
moisture-resistant for cold and room-temperature items
HONEST TRANSPARENCY
Limitations & Storage
Not recommended for sustained contact with liquids above 60°C (140°F). The bag will begin to soften at elevated temperatures. For hot-food applications, consider our ES-SB-04 extra-thick reusable line rated for brief hot contact.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How does the 12lb rating compare to standard HDPE grocery bags?
Standard HDPE T-shirt bags typically rate at 10–15 lbs, so the ES-SB-01 sits squarely in the same performance class. The key difference is end-of-life: our bag returns to soil in 12 weeks rather than persisting for centuries.
Can these bags be stored like conventional plastic bags?
Yes — store in a cool, dry environment away from direct UV. Shelf life is 12 months from date of manufacture. Avoid prolonged exposure to temperatures above 40°C (104°F) as this may accelerate the biodegradation trigger.
Are the inks and adhesives also compostable?
Water-based, soy-derived inks are standard for all custom printing. Adhesives used in seam sealing are certified compostable under EN 13432. No petroleum-derived additives are used anywhere in the construction.
What is the difference between home-compostable and industrial-compostable certification?
Industrial compostability (EN 13432, OK Compost INDUSTRIAL) verifies breakdown at 58°C inside a managed facility; home compostability (OK Compost HOME, AS 5810) verifies breakdown at ambient backyard-compost temperatures within 12 months. ES-SB-01 holds both certifications, so the bag biodegrades whether it reaches a municipal facility or a home compost pile.
How does California's SB 1053 affect compostable checkout bags?
SB 1053, effective January 1, 2026, amends SB 270 so that no film plastic shopping bags — including certified compostable film — may be provided as checkout bags in California. For California checkout, paper bags or reusable totes are the compliant formats. Outside California, and wherever programmes permit certified compostable checkout bags, ES-SB-01 carries the full EN 13432, ASTM D6400 (BPI), and OK Compost HOME documentation pack for your compliance team.
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