Reusable shopping bag
Sturdy, wipe-clean and stable – the reusable bag at the checkout that customers deliberately choose over a single-use carrier.
RPET bags made from recycled PET bottles
We turn used PET bottles into recycled bags made of rPET – reusable, tear-resistant, water-repellent and printable in photographic quality.
- Recycled content
- up to 100 % rPET
- Fabric weight
- approx. 100–140 g/m²
- Load capacity
- approx. 10–20 kg
- Surface
- laminated, matt or gloss
What are RPET bags?
RPET bags are recycled bags made of rPET – recycled PET recovered from used PET bottles, spun into tapes, woven on circular looms and then laminated. The result is a tear-resistant, shape-retaining bag that repels water and dirt, with a recycled content of up to 100 % rPET and a load capacity of approx. 10–20 kg. The design is usually gravure-printed as a reverse print beneath the laminate – photorealistic and scuff-resistant, ideal for reusable shopping bags and retail promotions.
- Made from recycled PET
- Tear-resistant & shape-retaining
- Water- & dirt-repellent
- Photorealistic printing
- A visible environmental statement
- Durable & reusable
Bags made from recycled PET bottles – how RPET is madeShow less
The idea behind RPET bags is simple: used PET bottles become sturdy, reusable carrier bags. The recycled PET (rPET) is spun into fine tapes, woven into a dense fabric on circular looms and laminated. This gives the bag the strength and smooth, printable surface of a classic woven bag – made from genuine recycled material.
Lamination makes the bag water- and dirt-repellent, keeps its shape and lets it be wiped clean with a damp cloth. It is also the ideal print surface: your design sits as a scuff-resistant reverse print beneath the laminate and stays vivid and colourfast over hundreds of uses.
The decisive difference is the origin: every bag gives used PET bottles a second life instead of consuming virgin plastic. On request, the recycled content can be certified to the Global Recycled Standard (GRS) – a verifiable sustainability argument that your customers carry visibly in everyday life.
- Made from recycled PET
- Produced from used PET bottles – the circular economy you can carry, GRS-certified on request.
- Tear-resistant & shape-retaining
- The laminated RPET fabric is tough and stands upright – built for a full weekly shop.
- Water- & dirt-repellent
- The sealed lamination lets moisture bead off and is quickly wiped clean with a damp cloth.
- Photorealistic printing
- The smooth surface allows brilliant gravure printing – as a scuff-resistant reverse print beneath the laminate.
- A visible environmental statement
- Its recycled origin credibly links your brand with responsibility in practice.
- Durable & reusable
- A reusable bag that survives many hundreds of shopping trips – instead of a single-use carrier.
Typical applications
Where RPET bags play to their strengths
A visible sustainability statement
PET bottles become your brand ambassador: their recycled origin turns every bag into credible proof of responsibility in practice.
Premium advertising medium in retail
Photorealistic gravure printing on the smooth laminated surface makes RPET the first choice for high-quality retail and promotional bags.
RPET bags at a glance
- Material
- Recycled PET (RPET), woven fabric, laminated (matt or gloss)
- Recycled content
- up to 100 % rPET; GRS-certified on request
- Fabric weight
- approx. 100–140 g/m² (laminated)
- Typical dimensions
- approx. 38–48 cm high, side gusset approx. 10–22 cm (custom)
- Handles & load capacity
- short hand or long shoulder handles; approx. 10–20 kg
- Printing
- Gravure (reverse print), digital and flexo printing
- Certification
- GRS or OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 on request; REACH-compliant
How we finish your RPET bags
Gravure printing (rotogravure)
The standard process for larger runs: the design is printed in reverse onto the laminate film and, once laminated, sits scuff-resistant beneath the surface. It enables photorealistic, multicolour designs and fine colour gradients across the entire bag.
Full-surface digital/photo printing
Full-surface digital or photo printing for photorealistic designs and multicolour gradients – when the bag itself is to become an advertising space at the point of sale, for example for retail campaigns and product worlds.
Screen printing
The economical choice for clean one- or few-colour logos – with strong, long-lasting opacity on the coated RPET surface, e.g. for private-label or loyalty reward programmes.
DTF printing (direct to film)
Detailed, multicolour logos with high opacity and crisp edges – flexible and cost-effective even for smaller runs, for example corporate gifts or limited promotions.
Frequently asked questions about RPET bags
Ideal for
- Supermarket checkout
- Sustainability communication
- Photo campaigns
- Private-label bags
- Heavy weekly shopping
What is rPET and what are RPET bags made of?
rPET stands for recycled PET (polyethylene terephthalate), recovered from used PET bottles. For RPET bags, the recycled material is spun into tapes, woven into a fabric and given a matt or gloss laminate. The recycled content is up to 100 % rPET.
Are RPET bags GRS-certified?
Yes, on request: the recycled content can be certified to the Global Recycled Standard (GRS). This gives your customers verifiable proof that your bag is made from recycled material. We agree the required documentation as part of your enquiry.
How are RPET bags printed?
For larger runs, usually by gravure as a reverse print: the design is printed in reverse onto the laminate film and then sits scuff-resistant beneath the surface. Full-surface digital printing as well as screen printing and DTF for placed logos are also possible – depending on artwork, number of colours and quantity.
How much weight can an RPET bag carry?
Depending on the design, an RPET bag carries approx. 10–20 kg. The laminated fabric is tear-resistant and holds its shape, so even a full weekly shop is carried safely. You can choose short hand handles or long shoulder handles.
Are RPET bags waterproof?
RPET bags are water- and dirt-repellent: the sealed lamination lets moisture bead off and can be wiped clean with a damp cloth. This makes them well suited to damp or dripping goods, but they are not designed as fully sealed waterproof bags.
What sizes are available for RPET bags?
Typical sizes are approx. 38–48 cm high with a side gusset of approx. 10–22 cm. We produce dimensions, handle type and finish (matt or gloss) to your specification. On request, you will receive a sample in advance.
Guide: RPET – what your brand should knowShow less
From PET bottle to laminated fabric
RPET stands for recycled polyethylene terephthalate – the plastic used in drinks bottles. For our bags, the recycled material is spun into fine tapes, woven into a dense fabric on circular looms and then given a matt or gloss laminate. Its construction and performance therefore match a classic laminated woven bag: tear-resistant, shape-retaining, water- and dirt-repellent.
For your brand, that means you don’t have to choose between durability, print quality and sustainability. The smooth laminated surface carries photorealistic designs, the bag holds approx. 10–20 kg and stays in use for many hundreds of trips – each one another contact with your brand.
Recycled bags with verifiable recycled content
The recycled content is up to 100 % rPET and can be certified to the Global Recycled Standard (GRS) on request. That way you communicate not just a promise to your customers, but a verifiable material origin.
The biggest environmental impact, however, comes from its service life: an RPET bag that is kept rather than thrown away thanks to its durability replaces a large number of single-use carriers over time. If you also want to transport chilled goods, our CityShopper is a laminated RPET bag with a detachable freezer compartment.
More bag ranges
All promotional bags
Ready for your RPET bags?
Personal advice from Guido Kalle – no obligation, samples on request.