65x65mm Peel & Seal Glassine Bag

Recyclable - Paper

How to Dispose:

Household recycling bin: Glassine is a type of smooth, translucent paper and is accepted in most household recycling bins if clean and dry.

Local recycling points: Can also be taken to paper recycling facilities.

Consider reuse: Ideal for storing seeds, small parts, or gift wrapping before recycling.

The glassine bags we supply are designed to allow end users to recycle or compost them at the end of life, as an alternative to sending them straight to landfill.

Although glassine can be composted, it is currently only made from virgin paper fibres, so we would consider recycling a much more sustainable and environmentally friendly way to dispose, as the paper fibres can be reused up to 7 times. Glassine is suitable for paper recycling and should be put in with domestic paper recycling collections.

What is Glassine?

• Acid-free / PH Neutral
• Resistant to moisture & grease - During the manufacturing process, the cell structure of the glassine paper is treated with heat & pressure, making it less susceptible to hygroscopicity (absorption of moisture through the air.)
• Stronger than ‘standard’ paper of the same gsm - Glassine paper is almost twice as dense as standard paper, meaning it is more resistant to tearing, bursting, and has much higher tensile strength.
• Domestically recyclable
• Biodegradable & Compostable
• Full disclosure - As a company we believe in offering transparency about our materials & products, including any downsides. Currently, glassine is always made with virgin paper pulp, and while it is renewable and responsibly grown, the process of manufacturing glassine is resource intensive and will have an environmental impact. However, this will be minimal compared to similar petro-chemical & fossil fuel based materials. Despite it’s appearance, glassine is not made from petro-chemicals. It is made from wood pulp, specifically the cellulose (lignocellulosic waste biomass.) Unlike other papers though, glassine paper production requires full separation of lignin/cellulose from the wood chips. This is achieved by cooking the wood chips to break the chemical bond of the lignin, allowing the extraction of the cellulose. The pulp is then sent through the paper manufacture process. Once dry, the sheets are then “calendered”, (pressed between pressure cylinders called ‘calendars.’) For standard paper, this is the end of the process, however glassine goes through an extra process called “supercalendering,” where the paper is put through the calendering process multiple times. This requires a special machine with heated, cooled & pressurised rollers, causing the fibres of glassine to all face the same direction. This process breaks down the cells to achieve higher density & lower porosity (this is also what gives glassine it’s smooth, glossy finish.)

Glassine paper is a versatile material that is moisture & grease resistant, but NOT fully waterproof - if the bags are completely soaked in water, it will seep through. However glassine generally has good resistance to moisture, oil & grease. To get the best from glassine bags we recommend that they should be kept away from high temperatures and humidity. Careful, minimal handling and the correct storage will avoid damage to its appearance and maximise shelf life.