Usage Guide | Plastic mesh bag
This guide covers the use of the plastic mesh bag: choosing the size according to the actual weight, opening it with the mouth facing up, filling by weight (not by volume), closing with the integrated drawstring and optional labeling with stacking on a pallet. Follow these steps to pack products that need ventilation (onions, potatoes, firewood, citrus) without suffocating or getting damp.
Product specifications
The plastic mesh bag is made from virgin polyethylene woven in Raschel knitted, with a matching braided drawstring for quick closure without a sewing machine. It comes in five sizes (from 5 to 100 lb capacity) and four colors (Purple, Red, Green, Yellow). All models come in packs of 100 bags.
| Specification | 2.3 kg (5 lb) | 4.5 kg (10 lb) | 11.3 kg (25 lb) | 22.7 kg (50 lb) | 45.4 kg (100 lb) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 30 × 45 cm (12 × 18 in) |
35 × 55 cm (14 × 22 in) |
40 × 60 cm (16 × 24 in) |
50 × 80 cm (20 × 32 in) |
60 × 100 cm (24 × 40 in) |
| Nominal capacity | 2.3 kg (5 lb) | 4.5 kg (10 lb) | 11.3 kg (25 lb) | 22.7 kg (50 lb) | 45.4 kg (100 lb) |
| Available colors | Purple, Red, Green, Yellow | Purple, Red, Green, Yellow | Purple, Red, Green, Yellow | Purple, Red, Green, Yellow | Purple, Red, Green, Yellow |
| Packaging | Pack of 100 bags | Pack of 100 bags | Pack of 100 bags | Pack of 100 bags | Pack of 100 bags |
| Material | Virgin HDPE, Raschel knitted, integrated drawstring, UV-HALS stabilization, FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 | ||||
Step-by-step on how to use it
The procedure applies to any of the 20 variants. The only differences between them are size and color; the way to fill and close is identical. Use the color as a visual code to differentiate product, grade or customer without having to label each bag.
Choose the size according to the actual weight you are going to pack
Do not fill a bag above its nominal capacity. For 25 lb of onions use the 11.3 kg bag, not the 5 lb one filled to double. Overloading deforms the fabric, strains the cord and multiplies the risk of tearing when lifting.
Open the bag and prepare it with the mouth facing up
Shake the bag to open it completely and check that the braided drawstring comes out of both ends of the top hem. Place the bag over the filling funnel, a firm box or a tube if you are in the field, leaving the mouth up and wide open.
Fill by weight, not by volume
Use a scale whenever you can. Fill up to the nominal weight of the bag with healthy product, without rotten items, without excessive loose soil and without foreign bodies (sticks, stones). Leaving 5–10 cm free between the product and the mouth makes closing easier.
Take advantage of the four colors as an operational code: for example, purple for red onion, yellow for white onion, green for potato and red for carrot. In the wholesale market this speeds up identification without having to label bag by bag.
Close with the integrated drawstring
Take the two ends of the braided cord, gather the mouth of the bag to its minimum diameter and make a double flat knot. No portable sewing machine or additional staples are needed: the drawstring is sized to support the nominal weight of the bag. For loads that travel long distances, add a third safety knot.
Label (optional) and stack on a pallet
If you need traceability, tie a label to the cord with the lot, the date and the weight. Stack the bags on a pallet with the mouth toward the center and alternate layers so they do not shift. Once palletized, secure the tower with stretch mesh to maintain product ventilation.
Do not wrap the pallet of bags with closed film. The great advantage of the mesh bag is ventilation: sealing the tower in film cancels that advantage, builds up moisture and encourages mold. Always use stretch mesh or leave the pallet unwrapped if it is going to be delivered immediately.
Complementary products
To maintain ventilation when the pallet of bags leaves the packing center, stretch mesh is the mandatory complement. Portable sewing machines are useful if you need additional closure for heavy loads or long-distance transport.
If you palletize several dozen a day, consider the stretch mesh for machines; for occasional volumes the manual mesh is enough. The portable sewing machine is useful when you work with heavy products and want a redundant closure in addition to the drawstring.
Maintenance and care
Unused packs are kept in a dry place, at room temperature, without direct contact with the concrete floor (use a pallet or shelving) and away from direct sunlight. Although HDPE incorporates UV-HALS stabilization, prolonged exposure to the Caribbean sun shortens its service life. Used bags that are going to be reused in another harvest must be washed with fresh water, air-dried (not in direct sun) and stored folded.
Can I reuse the bags from one harvest to the next?
Yes, the bags are designed for several cycles. Wash with fresh water after each use (especially if you packed products with damp soil), air-dry under cover and store folded. Discard any bag with visible tears in the fabric, a frayed drawstring or significant loss of color.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Which color should I choose for my product?
Functionally the four colors perform the same; the choice is aesthetic and operational. In the Dominican market the most common convention is: red or purple for onions, yellow for potatoes, green for leafy vegetables or garlic, and red for citrus fruits. Define your own code if you handle several products at the same time and keep it consistent so that customers and operators associate it.
Does the 5 lb bag hold more than the nominal weight?
Physically it can hold somewhat more in occasional tests, but real operations (repeated lifting, transport, crane handling) rule out that margin. Filling above the nominal weight drastically shortens the life of the bag and increases the risk of breakage with product on the ground. Always use the correct size for the weight you need to pack.
Is the plastic mesh bag suitable for coffee or cocoa beans?
It is not the suitable option for green coffee or cocoa destined for export. Those products require the international standard of the jute bag (IJO, ICO and ICCO standards). The plastic mesh bag is suitable for local product for domestic consumption (roasted coffee, dried cocoa for baking) if you need ventilation.